Find minimum n for P(X ≤ n) > threshold

Questions asking for the smallest n such that the probability of success within n trials exceeds a given threshold (e.g., P(X ≤ n) > 0.95 or P(at least one success in n trials) > 0.95).

14 questions · Standard +0.0

5.02f Geometric distribution: conditions5.02g Geometric probabilities: P(X=r) = p(1-p)^(r-1)
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE FP2 2011 June Q7
8 marks Moderate -0.3
7 A fair die is thrown until a 6 appears for the first time. Assuming that the throws are independent, find
  1. the probability that exactly 5 throws are needed,
  2. the probability that fewer than 8 throws are needed,
  3. the least integer \(n\) such that the probability of obtaining a 6 before the \(n\)th throw is at least 0.99 .
CAIE FP2 2016 June Q6
5 marks Standard +0.3
6 The score when two fair dice are thrown is the sum of the two numbers on the upper faces. Two fair dice are thrown repeatedly until a score of 6 is obtained. The number of throws taken is denoted by the random variable \(X\). Find the mean of \(X\). Find the least integer \(N\) such that the probability of obtaining a score of 6 in fewer than \(N\) throws is more than 0.95 .
CAIE FP2 2019 June Q7
8 marks Standard +0.3
7 A pair of fair coins is thrown repeatedly until a pair of tails is obtained. The number of throws taken is denoted by the random variable \(X\).
  1. State the expected value of \(X\).
  2. Find the probability that exactly 3 throws are required to obtain a pair of tails.
  3. Find the probability that fewer than 4 throws are required to obtain a pair of tails.
  4. Find the least integer \(N\) such that the probability of obtaining a pair of tails in fewer than \(N\) throws is more than 0.95 .
CAIE FP2 2012 November Q6
7 marks Standard +0.3
6 In a skiing resort, for each day during the winter season, the probability that snow will fall on that day is 0.2 , independently of any other day. The first day of the winter season is 1 December. Find, for the winter season,
  1. the probability that the first snow falls on 20 December,
  2. the probability that the first snow falls before 5 December,
  3. the earliest date in December such that the probability that the first snow falls on or before that date is at least 0.95 .
CAIE FP2 2013 November Q6
6 marks Standard +0.3
6 A fair die is thrown until a 5 or a 6 is obtained. The number of throws taken is denoted by the random variable \(X\). State the mean value of \(X\). Find the probability that obtaining a 5 or a 6 takes more than 8 throws. Find the least integer \(n\) such that the probability of obtaining a 5 or a 6 in fewer than \(n\) throws is more than 0.99.
OCR Further Statistics 2021 November Q3
9 marks Standard +0.3
3 In a large collection of coloured marbles of identical size, the proportion of green marbles is \(p\). One marble is chosen randomly, its colour is noted, and it is then replaced. This process is repeated until a green marble is chosen. The first green marble chosen is the \(X\) th marble chosen.
  1. You are given that \(p = 0.3\).
    1. Find \(\mathrm { P } ( 5 \leqslant X \leqslant 10 )\).
    2. Determine the smallest value of \(n\) for which \(\mathrm { P } ( X = n ) < 0.1\).
  2. You are given instead that \(\operatorname { Var } ( X ) = 42\). Determine the value of \(\mathrm { E } ( X )\).
CAIE FP2 2012 June Q6
6 marks Moderate -0.3
The probability that a particular type of light bulb is defective is 0.01. A large number of these bulbs are tested, one by one. Assuming independence, find the probability that the tenth bulb tested is the first to be found defective. [2] The first defective bulb is the \(N\)th to be tested. Write down the value of E\((N)\). [1] Find the least value of \(n\) such that P\((N < n)\) is greater than 0.9. [3]
CAIE FP2 2012 June Q6
6 marks Moderate -0.8
The probability that a particular type of light bulb is defective is \(0.01\). A large number of these bulbs are tested, one by one. Assuming independence, find the probability that the tenth bulb tested is the first to be found defective. [2] The first defective bulb is the \(N\)th to be tested. Write down the value of E(\(N\)). [1] Find the least value of \(n\) such that P(\(N \leqslant n\)) is greater than \(0.9\). [3]
CAIE FP2 2017 June Q6
5 marks Moderate -0.3
A fair die is thrown repeatedly until a 6 is obtained.
  1. Find the probability that obtaining a 6 takes no more than four throws. [2]
  2. Find the least integer \(N\) such that the probability of obtaining a 6 before the \(N\)th throw is more than 0.95. [3]
CAIE FP2 2017 June Q6
5 marks Moderate -0.3
A fair die is thrown repeatedly until a 6 is obtained.
  1. Find the probability that obtaining a 6 takes no more than four throws. [2]
  2. Find the least integer \(N\) such that the probability of obtaining a 6 before the \(N\)th throw is more than 0.95. [3]
CAIE FP2 2010 November Q7
7 marks Standard +0.3
The discrete random variable \(X\) has a geometric distribution with mean 4. Find
  1. P\((X = 5)\), [3]
  2. P\((X > 5)\), [2]
  3. the least integer \(N\) such that P\((X \leqslant N) > 0.9995\). [2]
CAIE FP2 2015 November Q6
8 marks Standard +0.3
A biased coin is tossed repeatedly until a head is obtained. The random variable \(X\) denotes the number of tosses required for a head to be obtained. The mean of \(X\) is equal to twice the variance of \(X\). Show that the probability that a head is obtained when the coin is tossed once is \(\frac{2}{3}\). [2] Find
  1. P(\(X = 4\)), [1]
  2. P(\(X > 4\)), [2]
  3. the least integer \(N\) such that P(\(X \leq N\)) \(> 0.999\). [3]
CAIE FP2 2018 November Q8
8 marks Standard +0.3
Lan starts a new job on Monday. He will catch the bus to work every day from Monday to Friday inclusive. The probability that he will get a seat on the bus has the constant value \(p\). The random variable \(X\) denotes the number of days that Lan will catch the bus until he is able to get a seat. The probability that Lan will not get a seat on the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of his first week is 0.4096.
  1. Show that \(p = 0.2\). [2]
  2. Find the probability that Lan first gets a seat on Monday of the second week in his new job. [2]
  3. Find the least integer \(N\) such that \(\text{P}(X \leqslant N) > 0.9\), and identify the day and the week that corresponds to this value of \(N\). [4]
OCR S1 2009 June Q9
8 marks Standard +0.3
Repeated independent trials of a certain experiment are carried out. On each trial the probability of success is 0.12.
  1. Find the smallest value of \(n\) such that the probability of at least one success in \(n\) trials is more than 0.95. [3]
  2. Find the probability that the 3rd success occurs on the 7th trial. [5]