| Exam Board | Edexcel |
|---|---|
| Module | FS1 AS (Further Statistics 1 AS) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Session | June |
| Marks | 11 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | Sum of Poisson processes |
| Type | Basic sum of two Poissons |
| Difficulty | Standard +0.8 This is a multi-part Further Maths Statistics question requiring: (a) standard Poisson tail probability, (b) sum of independent Poisson distributions, (c) Poisson approximation to binomial with continuity correction, and (d) hypothesis testing with Poisson distribution. While each technique is standard for FS1, the combination of multiple concepts, the need to scale parameters across different time periods, and the hypothesis test requiring careful interpretation elevates this above average A-level difficulty but remains within expected FS1 scope. |
| Spec | 5.01a Permutations and combinations: evaluate probabilities5.02i Poisson distribution: random events model5.02j Poisson formula: P(X=x) = e^(-lambda)*lambda^x/x!5.02k Calculate Poisson probabilities5.02l Poisson conditions: for modelling5.02m Poisson: mean = variance = lambda5.02n Sum of Poisson variables: is Poisson5.05c Hypothesis test: normal distribution for population mean |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
| \(P(R \geq 23) = 0.8517...\) awrt 0.852 | B1 | awrt 0.852 |
| (1) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
| \(R \sim Po(28)\), \(A \sim Po(16)\); \(Y = R + A \rightarrow Y \sim Po(44)\) | M1 | For combining distributions and sight or use of \(Po(28+16[=44])\). Condone \(28+16=42\) followed by awrt 0.061 |
| \(P(Y = 42) = 0.05866...\) awrt 0.0587 | A1 | awrt 0.0587 |
| (2) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
| \(P(\text{less than 80 passengers checked in}) = 0.183...\) | B1 | awrt 0.18 may be implied by awrt 27.5 for the mean |
| \(X \sim B(150, \text{"0.183..."})\), mean \(= 150 \times \text{"0.183..."}\) \([= 27.48...]\) | M1 | Setting up a new model \(B(150, \text{"0.183"})\) and using \(np\) to calculate the mean |
| \(T \sim Po(\text{"27.4..."})\) and \(1 - P(T \leq 24)\) | M1 | Using the model \(Po(\text{their } np)\) and using or writing \(1 - P(T \leq 24)\) |
| \(= 1 - 0.2922...\) awrt 0.708 | A1 | awrt 0.708 |
| (4) |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
| \(H_0: \lambda = 84\); \(H_1: \lambda < 84\) (allow 28 for both) | B1 | Both hypotheses correct using \(\lambda\) or \(\mu\). Allow 28 instead of 84 |
| \(J \sim Po(84)\) | M1 | Writing or using \(Po(84)\) |
| \(P(J \leq 67) = 0.03[246...]\) or CR \(J \leq 68\) | A1 | awrt 0.03 or \(J \leq 68\) |
| \(0.03... < 0.05\) or \(67 \leq 68\) or 67 is in the critical region or 67 is significant or Reject \(H_0\). There is evidence at the 5% level of significance that the system is working slower than normal. | A1cao | dep on previous M mark awarded and a probability found. Drawing a correct inference in context – need the word *slower* or support for Alex's complaint |
| (4) |
# Question 2:
## Part 2(a):
| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
|--------|------|----------|
| $P(R \geq 23) = 0.8517...$ awrt **0.852** | B1 | awrt 0.852 |
| | **(1)** | |
## Part 2(b):
| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
|--------|------|----------|
| $R \sim Po(28)$, $A \sim Po(16)$; $Y = R + A \rightarrow Y \sim Po(44)$ | M1 | For combining distributions and sight or use of $Po(28+16[=44])$. Condone $28+16=42$ followed by awrt 0.061 |
| $P(Y = 42) = 0.05866...$ awrt **0.0587** | A1 | awrt 0.0587 |
| | **(2)** | |
## Part 2(c):
| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
|--------|------|----------|
| $P(\text{less than 80 passengers checked in}) = 0.183...$ | B1 | awrt 0.18 may be implied by awrt 27.5 for the mean |
| $X \sim B(150, \text{"0.183..."})$, mean $= 150 \times \text{"0.183..."}$ $[= 27.48...]$ | M1 | Setting up a new model $B(150, \text{"0.183"})$ and using $np$ to calculate the mean |
| $T \sim Po(\text{"27.4..."})$ and $1 - P(T \leq 24)$ | M1 | Using the model $Po(\text{their } np)$ and using or writing $1 - P(T \leq 24)$ |
| $= 1 - 0.2922...$ awrt **0.708** | A1 | awrt 0.708 |
| | **(4)** | |
## Part 2(d):
| Answer | Mark | Guidance |
|--------|------|----------|
| $H_0: \lambda = 84$; $H_1: \lambda < 84$ (allow 28 for both) | B1 | Both hypotheses correct using $\lambda$ or $\mu$. Allow 28 instead of 84 |
| $J \sim Po(84)$ | M1 | Writing or using $Po(84)$ |
| $P(J \leq 67) = 0.03[246...]$ **or** CR $J \leq 68$ | A1 | awrt 0.03 or $J \leq 68$ |
| $0.03... < 0.05$ or $67 \leq 68$ or 67 is in the critical region or 67 is significant or Reject $H_0$. There is evidence at the 5% level of significance that the system is working **slower** than normal. | A1cao | dep on previous M mark awarded and a probability found. Drawing a correct inference in context – need the word *slower* or support for Alex's complaint |
| | **(4)** | |
---
\begin{enumerate}
\item Rowan and Alex are both check-in assistants for the same airline. The number of passengers, $R$, checked in by Rowan during a 30-minute period can be modelled by a Poisson distribution with mean 28\\
(a) Calculate $\mathrm { P } ( R \geqslant 23 )$
\end{enumerate}
The number of passengers, $A$, checked in by Alex during a 30-minute period can be modelled by a Poisson distribution with mean 16, where $R$ and $A$ are independent. A randomly selected 30-minute period is chosen.\\
(b) Calculate the probability that exactly 42 passengers in total are checked in by Rowan and Alex.
The company manager is investigating the rate at which passengers are checked in. He randomly selects 150 non-overlapping 60-minute periods and records the total number of passengers checked in by Rowan and Alex, in each of these 60-minute periods.\\
(c) Using a Poisson approximation, find the probability that for at least 25 of these 60-minute periods Rowan and Alex check in a total of fewer than 80 passengers.
On a particular day, Alex complains to the manager that the check-in system is working slower than normal. To see if the complaint is valid the manager takes a random 90-minute period and finds that the total number of people Rowan checks in is 67\\
(d) Test, at the $5 \%$ level of significance, whether or not there is evidence that the system is working slower than normal. You should state your hypotheses and conclusion clearly and show your working.
\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel FS1 AS 2021 Q2 [11]}}