Calculate Var(X) from probability function

Questions that provide a probability function formula (e.g., P(X=x) = kx²) and require finding the constant, then calculating Var(X) or Var(aX+b).

5 questions · Moderate -0.2

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Edexcel S1 2003 January Q5
16 marks Standard +0.3
5. The discrete random variable \(X\) has probability function $$\mathrm { P } ( X = x ) = \begin{cases} k ( 2 - x ) , & x = 0,1,2 \\ k ( x - 2 ) , & x = 3 \\ 0 , & \text { otherwise } \end{cases}$$ where \(k\) is a positive constant.
  1. Show that \(k = 0.25\).
  2. Find \(\mathrm { E } ( X )\) and show that \(\mathrm { E } \left( X ^ { 2 } \right) = 2.5\).
  3. Find \(\operatorname { Var } ( 3 X - 2 )\). Two independent observations \(X _ { 1 }\) and \(X _ { 2 }\) are made of \(X\).
  4. Show that \(\mathrm { P } \left( X _ { 1 } + X _ { 2 } = 5 \right) = 0\).
  5. Find the complete probability function for \(X _ { 1 } + X _ { 2 }\).
  6. Find \(\mathrm { P } \left( 1.3 \leq X _ { 1 } + X _ { 2 } \leq 3.2 \right)\).
Edexcel S1 2003 June Q4
11 marks Moderate -0.3
4. The discrete random variable \(X\) has probability function $$\mathrm { P } ( X = x ) = \begin{array} { l l } k \left( x ^ { 2 } - 9 \right) , & x = 4,5,6 \\ 0 , & \text { otherwise } \end{array}$$ where \(k\) is a positive constant.
  1. Show that \(k = \frac { 1 } { 50 }\).
  2. Find \(\mathrm { E } ( X )\) and \(\operatorname { Var } ( X )\).
  3. Find \(\operatorname { Var } ( 2 X - 3 )\).
AQA Further AS Paper 2 Statistics 2018 June Q6
6 marks Standard +0.3
6 The discrete random variable \(Y\) has the probability function $$\mathrm { P } ( Y = y ) = \begin{cases} 2 k y & y = 1,2,3,4 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise } \end{cases}$$ where \(k\) is a constant. Show that \(\operatorname { Var } ( 5 Y - 2 ) = 25\) \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{313cd5ce-07ff-4781-a134-565b8b221145-07_2488_1716_219_153}
Edexcel S1 2010 January Q5
10 marks Moderate -0.8
The probability function of a discrete random variable \(X\) is given by $$p(x) = kx^2 \quad x = 1, 2, 3$$ where \(k\) is a positive constant.
  1. Show that \(k = \frac{1}{14}\) [2]
Find
  1. P\((X \geq 2)\) [2]
  2. E\((X)\) [2]
  3. Var\((1-X)\) [4]
Edexcel S1 Q3
9 marks Moderate -0.3
The discrete random variable \(X\) has probability function $$P(X = x) = \begin{cases} cx^2 & x = -3, -2, -1, 1, 2, 3 \\ 0 & \text{otherwise.} \end{cases}$$
  1. Show that \(c = \frac{1}{28}\). [3 marks]
  2. Calculate
    1. \(E(X)\),
    2. \(E(X^2)\).
    [3 marks]
  3. Calculate
    1. \(\text{Var}(X)\),
    2. \(\text{Var}(10 - 2X)\).
    [3 marks]