Use PGF to find mean and variance

Given a PGF (as polynomial or function), use differentiation (G'(1) for mean, G''(1) + G'(1) - [G'(1)]² for variance) to calculate E(X) and Var(X).

3 questions · Challenging +1.1

5.02b Expectation and variance: discrete random variables
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Edexcel FS1 2024 June Q6
16 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. The random variable \(X\) has probability generating function \(\mathrm { G } _ { X } ( t )\) where
$$\mathrm { G } _ { X } ( t ) = \frac { 1 } { \sqrt { 4 - 3 t } }$$
  1. Use calculus to find \(\operatorname { Var } ( X )\) Show your working clearly.
  2. Find the exact value of \(\mathrm { P } ( X \leqslant 2 )\) The independent random variables \(X _ { 1 }\) and \(X _ { 2 }\) each have the same distribution as \(X\) The random variable \(Y = X _ { 1 } + X _ { 2 } + 1\)
  3. By finding the probability generating function of \(Y\), state the name of the distribution of \(Y\)
  4. Hence, or otherwise, find \(\mathrm { P } \left( X _ { 1 } + X _ { 2 } > 5 \right)\)
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/2 2015 June Q3
14 marks Challenging +1.2
3 The probability generating function of the random variable \(X\) is \(\frac { 1 } { 81 } \left( t + \frac { 2 } { t } \right) ^ { 4 }\).
  1. Use the probability generating function to find \(\mathrm { E } ( X )\) and \(\operatorname { Var } ( X )\).
  2. The random variable \(Y\) is defined by \(Y = \frac { 1 } { 2 } ( X + 4 )\). By finding the probability distribution of \(X\), or otherwise, show that \(Y \sim \mathrm {~B} ( n , p )\), stating the values of \(n\) and \(p\).
CAIE Further Paper 4 2021 June Q4
5 marks Standard +0.8
\(X\) is a discrete random variable which takes the values 0, 2, 4, ... . The probability generating function of \(X\) is given by $$G_X(t) = \frac{1}{3 - 2t^2}.$$
  1. Find E\((X)\) and Var\((X)\). [5]