STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

[33 marks]

The continuous random variable X has probability density function

k
, 0≤x≤1
f(x)={ √ 4−3x2
0, otherwise.

1a. Find the value of k. [4 marks]

Markscheme
k
attempt to integrate (M1)
√ 4−3 x2

1 √3
= k⌊ arcsin( 2 x)⌋ A1
√3
√3
Note: Award (M1)A0 for arcsin( 2 x).
Condone absence of k up to this stage.

equating their integrand to 1 M1

√3 1
1
k[ arcsin( 2 x)] =1
√3 0
3√3
k= π
A1

[4 marks]

E( )
1b. Find E(X). [4 marks]
Markscheme
3√3 1
E(X) = ∫0 x dx A1
π √ 4−3 x2

Note: Condone absence of limits if seen at a later stage.

EITHER
attempt to integrate by inspection (M1)
3√3 1 2 − 12
= π
× − ∫ −6x(4 −
6
3x ) dx
1
[− 13 √4 − 3x ]
3√3
= π
2 A1
0

Note: Condone the use of k up to this stage.

OR
for example, u = 4 − 3x2 ⇒ du
dx
= −6x

Note: Other substitutions may be used. For example u = −3x2 .

√3 1 1
=− 2π
∫4 u− 2 d u M1

Note: Condone absence of limits up to this stage.

√3 1
=− 2π
[2√u]4 A1

Note: Condone the use of k up to this stage.

THEN
√3
= π
A1

Note: Award A0M1A1A0 for their k[− 13 √4 − 3x2 ] or k[−2√u] for working
with incorrect or no limits.

[4 marks]
2. A continuous random variable X has the probability density function [6 marks]

⎧
⎪
2
⎪ ( b−a ) ( c−a )
(x − a), a ≤ x ≤ c
f(x)=⎨ 2
⎪
(b − x), c<x≤b.
⎩
⎪
( b− a ) ( b− c )
0, otherwise
The following diagram shows the graph of y = f(x) for a ≤ x ≤ b.

a+b
Given that c≥ 2 , find an expression for the median of X in terms of a, b and c.
Markscheme
let m be the median

EITHER
attempts to find the area of the required triangle M1
base is (m − a) (A1)
2
and height is
( b−a ) ( c−a )
(m − a)

(m − a) (= )
( m−a ) 2
area = 12 (m − a)× 2
( b−a ) ( c−a ) ( b−a ) ( c−a )
A1

OR
attempts to integrate the correct function M1
m
∫ 2
a
( b−a ) ( c−a )
(x − a) d x

[ 12 (x − a)2 ] [ x2 − ax]
m 2 m
2 2
= ( b−a ) ( c−a )
OR
( b−a ) ( c−a )
A1A1
a a

Note: Award A1 for correct integration and A1 for correct limits.

THEN
m
∫ 2 1
sets up (their) a
( b−a ) ( c−a )
(x − a) d x or area = 2 M1

Note: Award M0A0A0M1A0A0 if candidates conclude that m > c and set

up their area or sum of integrals = 12 .

( m−a ) 2 1
( b−a ) ( c−a )
= 2

m=a±√
( b−a ) ( c−a )
2 (A1)

m > a, rejects m = a − √
( b−a ) ( c−a )
as 2

√
 m=a+√
( b−a ) ( c−a )
so 2 A1

[6 marks]

A continuous random variable X has a probability density function given by

arccos x 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
f(x)={
0 otherwise
The median of this distribution is m .

3a. Determine the value of m . [2 marks]

Markscheme
m
∫
recognises that 0 arccos x d x = 0. 5 (M1)

m arccos m − √1 − m2 −(0 − √1)= 0. 5

m = 0. 360034 …
m = 0. 360 A1

[2 marks]

(| − |≤ )= 0. 3
3b. Given that P (|X − m|≤ a)= 0. 3, determine the value of a. [4 marks]

Markscheme
METHOD 1
attempts to find at least one endpoint (limit) both in terms of m (or their m)
and a (M1)
P(m − a ≤ X ≤ m + a)= 0. 3
0.360034…+a
∫
0.360034…−a arccos x d x = 0. 3 (A1)

m+a
∫
Note: Award (A1) for m−a arccos x d x = 0. 3.

0.360034…+a
[x arccos x − √1 − x]
2
0.360034…−a
attempts to solve their equation for a (M1)

Note: The above (M1) is dependent on the first (M1).

a = 0. 124861 …
a = 0. 125 A1

METHOD 2
a
 a
∫
−a arccos x − 0. 360034 … d x (= 0. 3) (M1)(A1)

Note: Only award (M1) if at least one limit has been translated correctly.
a
∫
Note: Award (M1)(A1) for −a arccos x − m d x (= 0. 3) .

attempts to solve their equation for a (M1)

a = 0. 124861 …
a = 0. 125 A1

METHOD 3
EITHER
a
∫
−a arccos(x + 0. 360034 …) d x (= 0. 3) (M1)(A1)

Note: Only award (M1) if at least one limit has been translated correctly.
a
∫
Note: Award (M1)(A1) for −a arccos(x + m) d x (= 0. 3).

OR
2 ( 0.360034… ) +a
∫
2 ( 0.360034… ) −a arccos(x − 0. 360034 …) d x (= 0. 3) (M1)(A1)

Note: Only award (M1) if at least one limit has been translated correctly.
2m+a
∫
Note: Award (M1)(A1) for 2m−a arccos(x − m) d x (= 0. 3).

THEN
attempts to solve their equation for a (M1)

Note: The above (M1) is dependent on the first (M1).

a = 0. 124861 …
a = 0. 125 A1
 [4 marks]

A continuous random variable X has the probability density function f given by

⎧ x 0≤x≤4
f(x)=⎨ √ ( x 2+ k ) 3
⎩
0otherwise
where k ∈ R+ .

4a. Show that √16 + k − √k = √k√16 + k. [5 marks]

Markscheme
recognition of the need to integrate x (M1)
√ ( x 2+ k ) 3

∫ x d x(= 1)
√ ( x 2+ k ) 3

EITHER
u = x2 + k ⇒ du
dx
= 2x (or equivalent) (A1)
3
1
∫ x dx = 2 ∫ u− 2 d u
√ ( x 2+ k ) 3

− 12
= −u− 2 (+c) (= −(x2 + k)
1
(+c)) A1
OR
1 2x
∫ x dx = 2 ∫ d x (A1)
√ ( x 2+ k ) 3 √ ( x 2+ k ) 3

− 12
= −(x2 + k) (+c) A1
THEN
attempt to use correct limits for their integrand and set equal to 1 M1
16+k − 12 4
[−u − 12
] =1 OR [−(x2 + k) ] =1
k 0
1 1
−(16 + k)− 2 + k− 2 = 1(⇒ 1
− 1
= 1) A1
√k √16+k

√16 + k − √k = √k√16 + k AG
[5 marks]
4b. Find the value of k. [2 marks]

Markscheme
√16 + k − √k = √k√16 + k (M1)
attempt to solve
k = 0. 645038 …
= 0. 645 A1
[2 marks]

A continuous random variable X has the probability density function fn given by

(n + 1)xn , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
fn (x)={
0, otherwise
where n ∈ R, n ≥ 0.

5a. Show that E(X)= n+1 . [2 marks]

+2 n
 Markscheme
1
∫
E(X)=(n + 1)0 xn+1 d x M1
1
=(n + 1)[ xn+2 ] A1
n+2

0
n+1
leading to E(X)= n+2
AG

[2 marks]

5b. Show that Var(X)= n+1 [4 marks]

.
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )

Markscheme
METHOD 1

use of Var(X)= E(X 2 )−[E(X)]2 M1

1
∫ 2
Var(X)=(n + 1)0 xn+2 d x − ( nn+1
+2
)
1 2
=(n + 1)[ n+3 x ]
1 n+3 − ( nn+1
+2
)
0
2
 2
= n+1
n+3
− ( nn+1
+2
) A1
( n+1 ) ( n+2 ) 2− ( n+1 ) 2 ( n+3 )
= M1
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )

EITHER
( n+1 ) ( n2+4n+4− ( n2+4n+3 ) )
= A1
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )

OR
( n3+5n2+8n+4 ) − ( n3+5n2+7n+3 )
= A1
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )

THEN
n+1
so Var(X)= AG
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )
METHOD 2

use of Var(X)= E(X − E(X))2 M1

1
∫ 2
Var(X)=(n + 1)0 (x − n+1
n+2
) xn d x
1
xn+1 ]
1 2 ( n+1 ) n+1
=(n + 1)[ n+3
xn+3 − xn+2 +
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+2 ) 2
0
2
= n+1
n+3
− ( nn+1
+2
) A1

( n+1 ) ( ( n+2 ) 2− ( n+1 ) ( n+3 ) )

= M1
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )

EITHER
( n+1 ) ( n2+4n+4− ( n2+4n+3 ) )
= A1
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )

OR
( n3+5n2+8n+4 ) − ( n3+5n2+7n+3 )
= A1
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )

THEN

+1
 n+1
so Var(X)= AG
( n+2 ) 2 ( n+3 )
[6 marks]

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