Single variable sum probability

Questions asking for the probability of a sum of independent observations of a single normal variable (e.g. X₁ + X₂ + ... + Xₙ where all Xᵢ have the same distribution).

3 questions · Moderate -0.1

5.04b Linear combinations: of normal distributions
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CAIE S2 2017 June Q7
9 marks Standard +0.3
7
  1. A random variable \(X\) is normally distributed with mean 4.2 and standard deviation 1.1. Find the probability that the sum of two randomly chosen values of \(X\) is greater than 10 .
  2. Each candidate's overall score for an essay is calculated as follows. The mark for creativity is denoted by \(C\), the penalty mark for spelling errors is denoted by \(S\) and the overall score is defined by \(C - \frac { 1 } { 2 } S\). The variables \(C\) and \(S\) are independent and have distributions \(\mathrm { N } ( 29,105 )\) and \(\mathrm { N } ( 17,15 )\) respectively. Find the proportion of candidates receiving a negative overall score.
OCR S3 2013 June Q1
6 marks Standard +0.3
1 The blood-test procedure at a clinic is that a person arrives, takes a numbered ticket and waits for that number to be called. The waiting times between the numbers called have independent normal distributions with mean 3.5 minutes and standard deviation 0.9 minutes. My ticket is number 39 and as I take my ticket number 1 is being called, so that I have to wait for 38 numbers to be called. Find the probability that I will have to wait between 120 minutes and 140 minutes.
OCR MEI S3 2010 June Q1
18 marks Moderate -0.8
  1. The manager of a company that employs 250 travelling sales representatives wishes to carry out a detailed analysis of the expenses claimed by the representatives. He has an alphabetical (by surname) list of the representatives. He chooses a sample of representatives by selecting the 10th, 20th, 30th and so on. Name the type of sampling the manager is attempting to use. Describe a weakness in his method of using it, and explain how he might overcome this weakness. [3]
The representatives each use their own cars to drive to meetings with customers. The total distance, in miles, travelled by a representative in a month is Normally distributed with mean 2018 and standard deviation 96.
  1. Find the probability that, in a randomly chosen month, a randomly chosen representative travels more than 2100 miles. [3]
  2. Find the probability that, in a randomly chosen 3-month period, a randomly chosen representative travels less than 6000 miles. What assumption is needed here? Give a reason why it may not be realistic. [5]
  3. Each month every representative submits a claim for travelling expenses plus commission. Travelling expenses are paid at the rate of 45 pence per mile. The commission is 10\% of the value of sales in that month. The value, in £, of the monthly sales has the distribution N(21200, 1100²). Find the probability that a randomly chosen claim lies between £3000 and £3300. [7]