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Date May 2017 Marks available 1 Reference code 17M.2.SL.TZ2.S_10
Level Standard Level Paper Paper 2 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term Question number S_10 Adapted from N/A

Question

The following table shows a probability distribution for the random variable X , where E ( X ) = 1.2 .

M17/5/MATME/SP2/ENG/TZ2/10

A bag contains white and blue marbles, with at least three of each colour. Three marbles are drawn from the bag, without replacement. The number of blue marbles drawn is given by the random variable X .

A game is played in which three marbles are drawn from the bag of ten marbles, without replacement. A player wins a prize if three white marbles are drawn.

Find q .

[2]
a.i.

Find p .

[2]
a.ii.

Write down the probability of drawing three blue marbles.

[1]
b.i.

Explain why the probability of drawing three white marbles is 1 6 .

[1]
b.ii.

The bag contains a total of ten marbles of which w are white. Find w .

[3]
b.iii.

Grant plays the game until he wins two prizes. Find the probability that he wins his second prize on his eighth attempt.

[4]
d.

Markscheme

correct substitution into E ( X ) formula     (A1)

eg 0 ( p ) + 1 ( 0.5 ) + 2 ( 0.3 ) + 3 ( q ) = 1.2

q = 1 30 , 0.0333     A1     N2

[2 marks]

a.i.

evidence of summing probabilities to 1     (M1)

eg p + 0.5 + 0.3 + q = 1

p = 1 6 ,   0.167     A1     N2

[2 marks]

a.ii.

P (3 blue) = 1 30 ,   0.0333     A1     N1

[1 mark]

b.i.

valid reasoning     R1

eg P (3 white) = P(0 blue)

P(3 white) = 1 6     AG     N0

[1 mark]

b.ii.

valid method     (M1)

eg P(3 white) = w 10 × w 1 9 × w 2 8 ,   w C 3 10 C 3

correct equation     A1

eg w 10 × w 1 9 × w 2 8 = 1 6 ,   w C 3 10 C 3 = 0.167

w = 6     A1     N2

[3 marks]

b.iii.

recognizing one prize in first seven attempts     (M1)

eg ( 7 1 ) ,   ( 1 6 ) 1 ( 5 6 ) 6

correct working     (A1)

eg ( 7 1 ) ( 1 6 ) 1 ( 5 6 ) 6 ,   0.390714

correct approach     (A1)

eg ( 7 1 ) ( 1 6 ) 1 ( 5 6 ) 6 × 1 6

0.065119

0.0651     A1     N2

[4 marks]

d.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.i.
[N/A]
a.ii.
[N/A]
b.i.
[N/A]
b.ii.
[N/A]
b.iii.
[N/A]
d.

Syllabus sections

Topic 4—Statistics and probability » SL 4.5—Probability concepts, expected numbers
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Topic 4—Statistics and probability

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