OCR MEI S1 2007 January — Question 7 18 marks

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleS1 (Statistics 1)
Year2007
SessionJanuary
Marks18
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicHypothesis test of binomial distributions
TypeMultiple binomial probability calculations
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a straightforward S1 question covering standard binomial probability calculations, expectation/variance formulas, and a routine one-tailed hypothesis test. All parts follow textbook procedures with no novel problem-solving required, though the multi-part structure and real-world context add slight complexity beyond the most basic exercises.
Spec2.03a Mutually exclusive and independent events2.04b Binomial distribution: as model B(n,p)2.04c Calculate binomial probabilities2.05b Hypothesis test for binomial proportion

7 When onion seeds are sown outdoors, on average two-thirds of them germinate. A gardener sows seeds in pairs, in the hope that at least one will germinate.
  1. Assuming that germination of one of the seeds in a pair is independent of germination of the other seed, find the probability that, if a pair of seeds is selected at random,
    (A) both seeds germinate,
    (B) just one seed germinates,
    (C) neither seed germinates.
  2. Explain why the assumption of independence is necessary in order to calculate the above probabilities. Comment on whether the assumption is likely to be valid.
  3. A pair of seeds is sown. Find the expectation and variance of the number of seeds in the pair which germinate.
  4. The gardener plants 200 pairs of seeds. If both seeds in a pair germinate, the gardener destroys one of the two plants so that only one is left to grow. Of the plants that remain after this, only \(85 \%\) successfully grow to form an onion. Find the expected number of onions grown from the 200 pairs of seeds. If the seeds are sown in a greenhouse, the germination rate is higher. The seed manufacturing company claims that the germination rate is \(90 \%\). The gardener suspects that the rate will not be as high as this, and carries out a trial to investigate. 18 randomly selected seeds are sown in the greenhouse and it is found that 14 germinate.
  5. Write down suitable hypotheses and carry out a test at the \(5 \%\) level to determine whether there is any evidence to support the gardener's suspicions.

Question 7:
Part (i)
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMarks Guidance
(A) \(P(\text{both}) = \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^2 = \frac{4}{9}\)B1 CAO
(B) \(P(\text{one}) = 2\times\frac{2}{3}\times\frac{1}{3} = \frac{4}{9}\)B1 CAO
(C) \(P(\text{neither}) = \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{9}\)B1 CAO
Part (ii)
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMarks Guidance
Independence necessary because otherwise, the probability of one seed germinating would change according to whether or not the other one germinatesE1
May not be valid as the two seeds would have similar growing conditions e.g. temperature, moisture, etc.E1 NB Allow valid alternatives
Part (iii)
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMarks Guidance
Expected number \(= 2\times\frac{2}{3} = \frac{4}{3}\) (= 1.33)B1 FT
\(E(X^2) = 0\times\frac{1}{9} + 1\times\frac{4}{9} + 4\times\frac{4}{9} = \frac{20}{9}\)M1 M1 for \(E(X^2)\)
\(\text{Var}(X) = \frac{20}{9} - \left(\frac{4}{3}\right)^2 = \frac{4}{9} = 0.444\)A1 CAO NB use of \(npq\) scores M1 for product, A1CAO
Part (iv)
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMarks Guidance
Expect \(200\times\frac{8}{9} = 177.8\) plantsM1 M1 for \(200\times\frac{8}{9}\)
So expect \(0.85\times 177.8 = 151\) onionsM1 dep, A1 CAO M1 dep for \(\times 0.85\)
Part (v)
AnswerMarks Guidance
AnswerMarks Guidance
Let \(X \sim B(18, p)\); let \(p =\) probability of germination (for population)B1 B1 for definition of \(p\)
\(H_0: p = 0.90\)B1 B1 for \(H_0\)
\(H_1: p < 0.90\)B1 B1 for \(H_1\)
\(P(X \leq 14) = 0.0982 > 5\%\) so not enough evidence to reject \(H_0\)M1, M1 dep, A1 M1 for probability; M1 dep for comparison
Conclude that there is not enough evidence to indicate that the germination rate is below 90%E1 E1 for conclusion in context
Note: critical region method: M1 for region \(\{0,1,2,\ldots,13\}\); M1 for 14 does not lie in critical region then A1 E1 as per scheme
# Question 7:

## Part (i)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| (A) $P(\text{both}) = \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^2 = \frac{4}{9}$ | B1 CAO | |
| (B) $P(\text{one}) = 2\times\frac{2}{3}\times\frac{1}{3} = \frac{4}{9}$ | B1 CAO | |
| (C) $P(\text{neither}) = \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{9}$ | B1 CAO | |

## Part (ii)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Independence necessary because otherwise, the probability of one seed germinating would change according to whether or not the other one germinates | E1 | |
| May not be valid as the two seeds would have similar growing conditions e.g. temperature, moisture, etc. | E1 | NB Allow valid alternatives |

## Part (iii)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Expected number $= 2\times\frac{2}{3} = \frac{4}{3}$ (= 1.33) | B1 FT | |
| $E(X^2) = 0\times\frac{1}{9} + 1\times\frac{4}{9} + 4\times\frac{4}{9} = \frac{20}{9}$ | M1 | M1 for $E(X^2)$ |
| $\text{Var}(X) = \frac{20}{9} - \left(\frac{4}{3}\right)^2 = \frac{4}{9} = 0.444$ | A1 CAO | NB use of $npq$ scores M1 for product, A1CAO |

## Part (iv)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Expect $200\times\frac{8}{9} = 177.8$ plants | M1 | M1 for $200\times\frac{8}{9}$ |
| So expect $0.85\times 177.8 = 151$ onions | M1 dep, A1 CAO | M1 dep for $\times 0.85$ |

## Part (v)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Let $X \sim B(18, p)$; let $p =$ probability of germination (for population) | B1 | B1 for definition of $p$ |
| $H_0: p = 0.90$ | B1 | B1 for $H_0$ |
| $H_1: p < 0.90$ | B1 | B1 for $H_1$ |
| $P(X \leq 14) = 0.0982 > 5\%$ so not enough evidence to reject $H_0$ | M1, M1 dep, A1 | M1 for probability; M1 dep for comparison |
| Conclude that there is not enough evidence to indicate that the germination rate is below 90% | E1 | E1 for conclusion in context |
| Note: critical region method: M1 for region $\{0,1,2,\ldots,13\}$; M1 for 14 does not lie in critical region then A1 E1 as per scheme | | |
7 When onion seeds are sown outdoors, on average two-thirds of them germinate. A gardener sows seeds in pairs, in the hope that at least one will germinate.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Assuming that germination of one of the seeds in a pair is independent of germination of the other seed, find the probability that, if a pair of seeds is selected at random,\\
(A) both seeds germinate,\\
(B) just one seed germinates,\\
(C) neither seed germinates.
\item Explain why the assumption of independence is necessary in order to calculate the above probabilities. Comment on whether the assumption is likely to be valid.
\item A pair of seeds is sown. Find the expectation and variance of the number of seeds in the pair which germinate.
\item The gardener plants 200 pairs of seeds. If both seeds in a pair germinate, the gardener destroys one of the two plants so that only one is left to grow. Of the plants that remain after this, only $85 \%$ successfully grow to form an onion. Find the expected number of onions grown from the 200 pairs of seeds.

If the seeds are sown in a greenhouse, the germination rate is higher. The seed manufacturing company claims that the germination rate is $90 \%$. The gardener suspects that the rate will not be as high as this, and carries out a trial to investigate. 18 randomly selected seeds are sown in the greenhouse and it is found that 14 germinate.
\item Write down suitable hypotheses and carry out a test at the $5 \%$ level to determine whether there is any evidence to support the gardener's suspicions.
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR MEI S1 2007 Q7 [18]}}