Edexcel S2 — Question 7 17 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleS2 (Statistics 2)
Marks17
PaperDownload PDF ↗
TopicContinuous Uniform Random Variables
TypeDerive or verify variance formula
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a straightforward S2 question testing standard continuous uniform distribution properties and binomial approximation. Parts (a)-(c) require direct recall of uniform distribution formulas, part (d) is routine binomial calculation, part (e) is conceptual understanding, part (f) is simple integration, and part (g) applies normal approximation to binomial. While multi-part with 17 marks total, each component uses standard techniques with no novel problem-solving required, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec2.04c Calculate binomial probabilities5.02e Discrete uniform distribution5.03c Calculate mean/variance: by integration

In a computer game, a star moves across the screen, with constant speed, taking 1 s to travel from one side to the other. The player can stop the star by pressing a key. The object of the game is to stop the star in the middle of the screen by pressing the key exactly 0.5 s after the star first appears. Given that the player actually presses the key 7 s after the star first appears, a simple model of the game assumes that T is a continuous uniform random variable defined over the interval [0, 1].
  1. Write down P(T < 0.2). [1]
  2. Write down E(T). [1]
  3. Use integration to find Var(T). [4]
A group of 20 children each play this game once.
  1. Find the probability that no more than 4 children stop the star in less than 0.2 s. [3]
The children are allowed to practise this game so that this continuous uniform model is no longer applicable.
  1. Explain how you would expect the mean and variance of T to change. [2]
It is found that a more appropriate model of the game when played by experienced players assumes that T has a probability density function g(t) given by $$g(t) = \begin{cases} 4t, & 0 \leq t \leq 0.5, \\ 4 - 4t, & 0.5 \leq t \leq 1, \\ 0, & otherwise. \end{cases}$$
  1. Using this model show that P(T < 0.2) = 0.08. [2]
A group of 75 experienced players each played this game once.
  1. Using a suitable approximation, find the probability that more than 7 of them stop the star in less than 0.2 s. [4]

In a computer game, a star moves across the screen, with constant speed, taking 1 s to travel from one side to the other. The player can stop the star by pressing a key. The object of the game is to stop the star in the middle of the screen by pressing the key exactly 0.5 s after the star first appears. Given that the player actually presses the key 7 s after the star first appears, a simple model of the game assumes that T is a continuous uniform random variable defined over the interval [0, 1].

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item Write down P(T < 0.2). [1]
\item Write down E(T). [1]
\item Use integration to find Var(T). [4]
\end{enumerate}

A group of 20 children each play this game once.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{3}
\item Find the probability that no more than 4 children stop the star in less than 0.2 s. [3]
\end{enumerate}

The children are allowed to practise this game so that this continuous uniform model is no longer applicable.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{4}
\item Explain how you would expect the mean and variance of T to change. [2]
\end{enumerate}

It is found that a more appropriate model of the game when played by experienced players assumes that T has a probability density function g(t) given by

$$g(t) = \begin{cases}
4t, & 0 \leq t \leq 0.5, \\
4 - 4t, & 0.5 \leq t \leq 1, \\
0, & otherwise.
\end{cases}$$

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{5}
\item Using this model show that P(T < 0.2) = 0.08. [2]
\end{enumerate}

A group of 75 experienced players each played this game once.

\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\setcounter{enumi}{6}
\item Using a suitable approximation, find the probability that more than 7 of them stop the star in less than 0.2 s. [4]
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel S2  Q7 [17]}}