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Date November 2020 Marks available 3 Reference code 20N.2.SL.TZ0.S_3
Level Standard Level Paper Paper 2 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Find Question number S_3 Adapted from N/A

Question

A discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution.

Find an expression for q in terms of p.

[2]
a.

Find the value of p which gives the largest value of EX.

[3]
b.i.

Hence, find the largest value of EX.

[1]
b.ii.

Markscheme

* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences in marking or structure.

evidence of summing probabilities to 1       (M1)

eg       q+4p2+p+0.7-4p2=1,  1-4p2-p-0.7+4p2

q=0.3-p        A1  N2

[2 marks]

a.

correct substitution into EX formula       (A1)

eg     0×0.3-p+1×4p2+2×p+3×0.7-4p2

valid approach to find when EX is a maximum       (M1)

eg     max on sketch of EX8p+2+3×-8p=0-b2a=-22×-8

p=18 =0.125 (exact) (accept x=18)        A1  N3

[3 marks]

b.i.

2.225

8940 (exact), 2.23      A1  N1

[1 mark]

b.ii.

Examiners report

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

Syllabus sections

Topic 4—Statistics and probability » SL 4.7—Discrete random variables
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Topic 4—Statistics and probability

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