Introduction to Probability Distributions
A probability distribution is a mathematical description that defines the likelihood of different outcomes in a random process. It tells us the probabilities of various possible outcomes of a random variable.
Difference Between Discrete and Continuous Distributions
- Discrete Probability Distribution:
- Deals with discrete random variables that take on a finite or countable set of values.
- Examples include the number of heads in a series of coin flips or the number of cars arriving at a toll booth in an hour.
- Continuous Probability Distribution:
- Deals with continuous random variables that take an infinite number of possible values within a given range.
- Examples include the height of people, time taken to finish a task, or temperature readings.
Examples of Discrete and Continuous Variables
- Discrete Variables:
- Number of students in a classroom
- Number of cars in a parking lot
- Continuous Variables:
- Weight of a package
- Time taken to run a marathon
Discrete Probability Distributions
Properties of Discrete Distributions
- The probability of each individual outcome is a non-negative number.
- The sum of all probabilities for all possible outcomes is 1.
Binomial Distribution
The binomial distribution describes the number of successes in a fixed number of independent Bernoulli trials, where each trial results in either a success or failure.
Formula:
Where:
= number of trials = number of successes = probability of success in each trial
Example:
What is the probability of getting exactly 3 heads in 5 flips of a fair coin?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Geometric Distribution
The geometric distribution models the number of trials until the first success in a series of independent Bernoulli trials.
Formula:
Where:
= probability of success = trial on which the first success occurs
Poisson Distribution
The Poisson distribution models the number of occurrences of an event in a fixed interval of time or space.
Formula:
Where:
= average rate of occurrence = number of occurrences
Example:
A call center receives an average of 5 calls per minute. What is the probability that they receive exactly 3 calls in the next minute?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hypergeometric Distribution
The hypergeometric distribution models the probability of
Formula:
Multinomial Distribution
The multinomial distribution generalizes the binomial distribution by allowing more than two possible outcomes.
Continuous Probability Distributions
Properties of Continuous Distributions
- Probabilities are defined over intervals, not individual outcomes.
- The probability density function (PDF) gives the likelihood of a random variable falling within a certain range.
- The area under the PDF curve for a specific interval gives the probability of the random variable being in that interval.
Normal Distribution
The normal distribution is a continuous probability distribution that is symmetric around its mean.
Formula:
Where:
= mean = standard deviation = random variable
Example:
What is the probability that a normally distributed variable with mean 50 and standard deviation 10 is less than 60?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Standardize the variable:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Uniform Distribution
The uniform distribution describes a situation where all outcomes are equally likely within a given interval.
Formula:
Exponential Distribution
The exponential distribution models the time between events in a Poisson process.
Formula:
Gamma Distribution
The gamma distribution generalizes the exponential distribution for the time to multiple events.
Beta Distribution
The beta distribution is used to model random variables that are bounded between 0 and 1.
Weibull Distribution
The Weibull distribution is used in reliability analysis and survival studies.
Probability Density Function (PDF)
The PDF gives the likelihood of a continuous random variable taking on a specific value.
Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF)
The CDF gives the probability that a random variable is less than or equal to a particular value.
Moment Generating Functions for Distributions
Moment generating functions (MGF) are used to find the moments (mean, variance) of a distribution.
Formula:
Expected Value and Variance for Discrete and Continuous Distributions
- Expected Value (Discrete):
- Variance (Discrete):
- Expected Value (Continuous):
- Variance (Continuous):
Applications of Discrete and Continuous Distributions
- Discrete Distributions:
- Modeling the number of customer arrivals at a store.
- Modeling the number of defective products in a batch.
- Continuous Distributions:
- Modeling the amount of rainfall in a year.
- Modeling the time until a machine fails.
Fitting Data to Distributions
To fit data to a distribution, we estimate the parameters of the distribution (e.g., mean and standard deviation for a normal distribution) and compare the theoretical distribution to the observed data.
Using Distributions in Real-World Problems
- Finance: Modeling stock returns using normal distributions.
- Insurance: Using Poisson distributions to model claim counts.
- Engineering: Using Weibull distributions for reliability analysis.
FAQs
- What is the difference between discrete and continuous probability distributions?
- Discrete distributions deal with countable outcomes, while continuous distributions deal with uncountable outcomes over an interval.
- When should I use the binomial distribution?
- Use the binomial distribution when you have a fixed number of independent trials with two possible outcomes (success or failure).
- What is the significance of the normal distribution?
- The normal distribution is significant because it describes many natural phenomena and is used in the central limit theorem.
- How do you calculate the expected value for a continuous distribution?
- The expected value for a continuous distribution is calculated using the integral:
- The expected value for a continuous distribution is calculated using the integral:
- Why are distributions important in probability theory?
- Distributions provide a structured way to model and analyze the likelihood of different outcomes and are essential for understanding uncertainty.
Question And Answer Library
Example 1: Probability of a Single Event
Problem:
A fair six-sided die is rolled. What is the probability of rolling a 4?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total outcomes = 6,
Favorable outcomes = 1 (rolling a 4).
Step 2: Solution:
Using the probability formula:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 2: Binomial Distribution
Problem:
In 10 flips of a coin, what is the probability of getting exactly 5 heads?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the binomial formula:
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 3: Poisson Distribution
Problem:
A bookstore receives an average of 3 customers per hour. What is the probability that exactly 4 customers arrive in the next hour?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the Poisson formula:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 4: Normal Distribution
Problem:
Find the probability that a randomly selected student scores less than 70 on a test that has a mean of 75 and a standard deviation of 10.
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Score
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 5: Uniform Distribution
Problem:
If a random variable is uniformly distributed between 2 and 10, what is the probability that it falls between 3 and 7?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate total range:
Calculate specific range:
Now calculate probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 6: Expected Value for Discrete Variables
Problem:
For the random variable
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Values:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate expected value:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 7: Variance of a Discrete Random Variable
Problem:
Given
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate expected value:
Calculate
Calculate variance:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 8: Cumulative Distribution Function
Problem:
For the random variable
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate CDF:
Step 3: Final Answer:
CDF values are:
Example 9: Joint Probability
Problem:
In a survey, 40% prefer tea, 30% prefer coffee, and 10% prefer both. What is the probability of a person preferring tea or coffee?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 10: Probability of Normal Distribution
Problem:
Find the probability that a randomly selected value from a normal distribution with mean 100 and standard deviation 15 is greater than 120.
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 11: Geometric Distribution
Problem:
What is the probability that the first success occurs on the 4th trial when the probability of success is 0.3?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the geometric distribution formula:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 12: Continuous Uniform Distribution
Problem:
If a random variable is uniformly distributed between 10 and 20, what is the probability that it falls between 12 and 15?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate total range:
Calculate specific range:
Now calculate probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 13: Finding Expected Value for Continuous Distribution
Problem:
Find the expected value of a continuous uniform distribution from 5 to 15.
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Using the formula for expected value of a uniform distribution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 14: Finding Variance of Normal Distribution
Problem:
If a normal distribution has a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 5, what is the variance?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate variance:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 15: Probability of Binomial Distribution
Problem:
A coin is flipped 6 times. What is the probability of getting exactly 2 tails?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the binomial formula:
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 16: Conditional Probability
Problem:
In a deck of cards, what is the probability of drawing a King given that the card drawn is a face card?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total face cards = 12 (Jack, Queen, King for each suit).
Favorable outcomes = 4 (Kings).
Step 2: Solution:
Using conditional probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 17: Probability of Exceeding a Value in Normal Distribution
Problem:
For a normal distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 18: Expected Value for Binomial Distribution
Problem:
Find the expected value of a binomial distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the expected value formula for binomial distribution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 19: Variance of a Binomial Distribution
Problem:
What is the variance of a binomial distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the variance formula for binomial distribution:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 20: Probability from Cumulative Distribution Function
Problem:
For a continuous random variable
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 21: Finding the Median of a Continuous Distribution
Problem:
For a continuous uniform distribution between 1 and 9, what is the median?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Using the median formula for uniform distribution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 22: Joint Probability of Independent Events
Problem:
What is the probability of rolling a 3 on a die and flipping a heads on a coin?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Since the events are independent:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 23: Variance of Poisson Distribution
Problem:
If the average rate of occurrence
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the formula for variance of Poisson distribution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 24: Probability of Multiple Events
Problem:
What is the probability of rolling either a 1 or a 2 on a fair six-sided die?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Since the events are mutually exclusive:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 25: CDF of Normal Distribution
Problem:
Find the probability that a normally distributed random variable with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Values:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-scores:
Find probabilities:
Calculate probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 26: Finding Probability Using Central Limit Theorem
Problem:
A sample of size 30 is taken from a population with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. What is the probability that the sample mean is greater than 53?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Population mean
Population standard deviation
Sample size
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate the standard error:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 27: Mode of a Probability Distribution
Problem:
For the discrete probability distribution given by
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Identify the value with the highest probability:
The mode is 2 and 3 (both have probabilities of 0.4).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The mode is
Example 28: Expected Value for Poisson Distribution
Problem:
Find the expected number of events in a Poisson distribution with a rate of
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Rate
Step 2: Solution:
For Poisson distribution, the expected value is:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 29: Variance of a Continuous Uniform Distribution
Problem:
For a continuous uniform distribution from 2 to 8, find the variance.
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Using the formula for variance of a uniform distribution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 30: Probability from Exponential Distribution
Problem:
Find the probability that a random variable from an exponential distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Rate
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Using the cumulative distribution function for exponential:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 31: Probability from Beta Distribution
Problem:
What is the probability of success in a Beta distribution with parameters
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Parameters
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Using the probability density function:
where
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 32: Mode of Binomial Distribution
Problem:
Find the mode of a binomial distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
The mode of a binomial distribution is given by:
Step 3: Final Answer:
The mode is
Example 33: Finding Probability with Joint Distribution
Problem:
If
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Since
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 34: CDF for Discrete Distribution
Problem:
For a discrete random variable
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate CDF:
Step 3: Final Answer:
CDF values are:
Example 35: Probability of a Normal Variable Being Within Range
Problem:
Find the probability that a normally distributed random variable with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Range:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-scores:
Find probabilities:
Calculate probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 36: Probability in a Hypergeometric Distribution
Problem:
What is the probability of drawing 2 red balls from a box containing 5 red and 3 blue balls without replacement?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total balls = 8,
Red balls = 5,
Blue balls = 3,
Draws = 2.
Step 2: Solution:
Using the hypergeometric formula:
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 37: Variance of Continuous Uniform Distribution
Problem:
Find the variance of a continuous uniform distribution between 0 and 6.
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Using the formula for variance:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 38: Joint Probability of Two Events
Problem:
If
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the formula:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 39: Probability Density Function of Normal Distribution
Problem:
What is the value of the PDF for a normal distribution with mean 0 and standard deviation 1 at
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Using the PDF formula:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 40: Finding the Median of a Normal Distribution
Problem:
What is the median of a normal distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Step 2: Solution:
For a normal distribution, the median is equal to the mean.
Median =
Step 3: Final Answer:
Median =
Example 41: Exponential Distribution
Problem:
If the average time until an event is 3 minutes, what is the probability that the time until the next event is less than 2 minutes?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Rate
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Using the cumulative distribution function:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 42: Mode of a Continuous Distribution
Problem:
For a continuous uniform distribution between 1 and 5, find the mode.
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
In a continuous uniform distribution, every value in the interval is equally likely, so:
Mode = Any value in the interval, e.g.,
Step 3: Final Answer:
Mode = Any value in
Example 43: Geometric Distribution Probability
Problem:
What is the probability that the first success occurs on the 3rd trial with a success probability of 0.2?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the geometric formula:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 44: Finding Variance for Exponential Distribution
Problem:
For an exponential distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Rate
Step 2: Solution:
Variance for exponential distribution is given by:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 45: Probability of Success in Poisson Distribution
Problem:
If a restaurant gets an average of 2 customers per minute, what is the probability that exactly 1 customer arrives in the next minute?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the Poisson formula:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 46: Normal Approximation to Binomial
Problem:
For a binomial distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate mean and variance:
Calculate standard deviation:
Use continuity correction for normal approximation:
Find
Use z-table:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 47: Conditional Probability
Problem:
In a bag of 5 red and 3 blue marbles, what is the probability of drawing a blue marble given that a red marble was drawn first?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total marbles = 8,
Red marbles = 5,
Blue marbles = 3.
Step 2: Solution:
After drawing a red marble, there are 7 marbles left:
Red marbles = 4,
Blue marbles = 3.
Using conditional probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 48: Joint Probability with Conditional
Problem:
What is the probability of rolling a 2 on a die and then drawing a red card from a standard deck of cards?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Since the events are independent:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 49: Exponential Distribution Probability
Problem:
What is the probability that a customer waits less than 4 minutes at a service desk, given that the average waiting time is 3 minutes?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Rate
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Using the CDF for exponential distribution:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 50: Variance of Normal Distribution
Problem:
Find the variance of a normal distribution with mean 25 and standard deviation 6.
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate variance:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 51: Probability of Exceeding a Value
Problem:
If the average lifespan of a battery is 200 hours with a standard deviation of 30 hours, what is the probability that a randomly selected battery lasts more than 250 hours?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 52: Probability of Rolling a Die
Problem:
What is the probability of rolling an even number on a six-sided die?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total outcomes = 6,
Favorable outcomes = 3 (2, 4, 6).
Step 2: Solution:
Using the probability formula:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 53: Binomial Distribution with More Trials
Problem:
If you flip a coin 8 times, what is the probability of getting exactly 6 heads?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the binomial formula:
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 54: Conditional Probability with Replacement
Problem:
In a deck of cards, what is the probability of drawing an Ace given that the first card drawn was not an Ace?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total cards = 52,
Non-Aces = 48,
Aces = 4.
Step 2: Solution:
After drawing a non-Ace, there are still 52 cards:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 55: Variance of a Poisson Distribution
Problem:
Find the variance of a Poisson distribution where
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
The variance of a Poisson distribution is given by:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 56: Probability of a Normal Variable Falling Below a Value
Problem:
What is the probability that a normally distributed random variable with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 57: Probability of Getting a Specific Number of Events
Problem:
If a restaurant serves an average of 8 meals per hour, what is the probability that it serves exactly 5 meals in an hour?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the Poisson formula:
Calculate:
Using
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 58: Finding Mode of a Probability Distribution
Problem:
For the discrete distribution
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Identify the value with the highest probability:
The mode is
Step 3: Final Answer:
The mode is
Example 59: Finding the Mean of a Binomial Distribution
Problem:
For a binomial distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the formula for expected value:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 60: Finding Variance in Binomial Distribution
Problem:
Find the variance of a binomial distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the variance formula:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 61: Cumulative Probability from a Distribution
Problem:
Find the cumulative probability for a normal distribution at
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 62: Probability of a Uniform Distribution
Problem:
If a random variable is uniformly distributed from 3 to 7, what is the probability it is less than 4?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Total range:
Specific range:
Calculate probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 63: Mode of a Poisson Distribution
Problem:
What is the mode of a Poisson distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
The mode of a Poisson distribution is given by:
If
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
The mode is
Example 64: Expected Value of a Discrete Random Variable
Problem:
For the random variable
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Values:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate expected value:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 65: Variance of a Discrete Random Variable
Problem:
Find the variance for a discrete random variable with values
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Values:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate expected value:
Calculate
Calculate variance:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 66: Probability of a Normal Variable Being Greater Than a Value
Problem:
What is the probability that a normally distributed random variable with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 67: Finding Probability Using Central Limit Theorem
Problem:
If a sample of 50 has a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15, what is the probability that the sample mean is less than 98?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Sample size
Mean
Standard deviation
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate standard error:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 68: Probability of a Single Event
Problem:
What is the probability of drawing an Ace from a standard deck of 52 cards?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total cards = 52,
Aces = 4.
Step 2: Solution:
Using the probability formula:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 69: Expected Value from Joint Distribution
Problem:
If
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the linearity of expectation:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 70: Probability of a Bimodal Distribution
Problem:
For the discrete random variable
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Identify the value with the highest probability:
The mode is
Step 3: Final Answer:
The mode is
Example 71: Variance of Normal Distribution
Problem:
If a normal distribution has
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate variance:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 72: Poisson Distribution for More Events
Problem:
If a store has an average of 6 customers per hour, what is the probability that exactly 4 customers arrive in the next hour?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the Poisson formula:
Calculate:
Using
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 73: Probability in a Geometric Distribution
Problem:
What is the probability that the first success occurs on the 5th trial with a success probability of 0.1?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the geometric distribution formula:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 74: Probability of Binomial Distribution
Problem:
If a die is rolled 4 times, what is the probability of getting exactly 2 fours?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the binomial formula:
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 75: Probability of Exceeding a Certain Value
Problem:
For a normal distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 76: Probability of a Continuous Uniform Distribution
Problem:
If a continuous random variable is uniformly distributed between 2 and 8, what is the probability of it being between 4 and 6?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Total range:
Specific range:
Calculate probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 77: Probability from a Beta Distribution
Problem:
What is the probability density function value for a Beta distribution with parameters
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Parameters
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Using the PDF formula:
Calculate:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 78: Finding Variance of a Hypergeometric Distribution
Problem:
For a hypergeometric distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total population
Number of successes
Sample size
Step 2: Solution:
Using the formula for variance:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 79: Probability of Getting More Than a Certain Number of Successes
Problem:
If a coin is flipped 10 times, what is the probability of getting more than 8 heads?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate the probabilities for
Now, calculate total probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 80: Finding Probability from the CDF of a Normal Distribution
Problem:
For a normal distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate z-score:
Use z-tables to find:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 81: Variance in Exponential Distribution
Problem:
What is the variance of an exponential distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Rate
Step 2: Solution:
The variance of an exponential distribution is given by:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 82: Probability of an Event in a Binomial Distribution
Problem:
In 10 flips of a fair coin, what is the probability of getting at least 7 heads?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate probabilities for
Now add:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 83: Conditional Probability in a Deck of Cards
Problem:
In a deck of cards, what is the probability of drawing a heart given that the card drawn is a red card?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total red cards = 26 (13 hearts, 13 diamonds).
Favorable outcomes = 13 (hearts).
Step 2: Solution:
Using conditional probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 84: Probability in Joint Distribution
Problem:
What is the probability of drawing a King and a Queen in a 52-card deck?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total cards = 52,
Kings = 4,
Queens = 4.
Step 2: Solution:
Since drawing without replacement:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 85: Finding Probability of an Event
Problem:
If a bag contains 5 red balls and 7 blue balls, what is the probability of drawing a red ball?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total balls = 12,
Red balls = 5.
Step 2: Solution:
Using the probability formula:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 86: Probability of a Discrete Random Variable
Problem:
What is the probability of getting 3 successes in 5 trials with a success probability of 0.4?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the binomial formula:
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 87: Finding Expected Value in a Distribution
Problem:
For a discrete random variable with values 1, 2, 3 and probabilities 0.1, 0.6, 0.3, find the expected value.
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Values:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate expected value:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 88: Cumulative Distribution Function of a Discrete Variable
Problem:
For a random variable
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate CDF:
Step 3: Final Answer:
CDF values are:
Example 89: Probability from a CDF of a Continuous Distribution
Problem:
For a continuous distribution with CDF
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 90: Probability of Rolling a Die
Problem:
What is the probability of rolling a number greater than 4 on a six-sided die?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Total outcomes = 6,
Favorable outcomes = 2 (5, 6).
Step 2: Solution:
Using the probability formula:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 91: Variance of a Discrete Distribution
Problem:
Find the variance of a discrete random variable with values
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Values:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate expected value:
Calculate
Calculate variance:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 92: Finding Probability of Poisson Distribution
Problem:
A factory has an average of 5 machine breakdowns per month. What is the probability of exactly 2 breakdowns in a month?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the Poisson formula:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 93: Probability of a Success in a Binomial Distribution
Problem:
If you flip a coin 10 times, what is the probability of getting exactly 1 head?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the binomial formula:
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 94: Finding the Mean of a Distribution
Problem:
For a random variable with values
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Values:
Probabilities:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate mean:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 95: Probability of an Event in a Continuous Uniform Distribution
Problem:
If a continuous random variable is uniformly distributed between 5 and 15, what is the probability of it being less than 10?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Lower bound
Upper bound
Step 2: Solution:
Total range:
Specific range:
Calculate probability:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 96: Mode of a Binomial Distribution
Problem:
Find the mode of a binomial distribution with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate the mode using:
Step 3: Final Answer:
The mode is
Example 97: Finding Probability in Exponential Distribution
Problem:
If the average time between arrivals at a service desk is 8 minutes, what is the probability that the next arrival is in less than 5 minutes?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Rate
Value
Step 2: Solution:
Using the cumulative distribution function:
Calculate:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 98: Probability of Independent Events
Problem:
What is the probability of flipping a coin and rolling a die simultaneously, resulting in heads and a 3?
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Since the events are independent:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 99: Finding Variance of a Normal Distribution
Problem:
If a normal distribution has
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Mean
Standard deviation
Step 2: Solution:
Calculate variance:
Step 3: Final Answer:
Example 100: Probability of a Binomial Event
Problem:
In a binomial experiment with
Answer:
Step 1: Given Data:
Step 2: Solution:
Using the binomial formula:
Calculate:
So:
Step 3: Final Answer: