Compare mean and median using probability

Questions that ask to find P(X < E(X)) or similar probability involving the mean, then use this to deduce the relationship between mean and median without calculating the median explicitly.

7 questions · Standard +0.2

5.03a Continuous random variables: pdf and cdf5.03b Solve problems: using pdf5.03c Calculate mean/variance: by integration5.03f Relate pdf-cdf: medians and percentiles
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CAIE S2 2013 June Q2
7 marks Standard +0.3
2 A random variable \(X\) has probability density function given by $$f ( x ) = \begin{cases} \frac { 2 } { 3 } x & 1 \leqslant x \leqslant 2 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise } \end{cases}$$
  1. Find \(\mathrm { E } ( X )\).
  2. Find \(\mathrm { P } ( X < \mathrm { E } ( X ) )\).
  3. Hence explain whether the mean of \(X\) is less than, equal to or greater than the median of \(X\).
CAIE S2 2018 November Q6
9 marks Standard +0.3
6 The random variable \(X\) has probability density function given by $$f ( x ) = \begin{cases} k x ^ { - 1 } & 2 \leqslant x \leqslant 6 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise } \end{cases}$$ where \(k\) is a constant.
  1. Show that \(k = \frac { 1 } { \ln 3 }\).
  2. Show that \(\mathrm { E } ( X ) = 3.64\), correct to 3 significant figures.
  3. Given that the median of \(X\) is \(m\), find \(\mathrm { P } ( m < X < \mathrm { E } ( X ) )\).
Edexcel S2 2014 June Q4
14 marks Standard +0.3
4. The random variable \(X\) has probability density function \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) given by $$\mathrm { f } ( x ) = \left\{ \begin{array} { c c } 3 k & 0 \leqslant x < 1 \\ k x ( 4 - x ) & 1 \leqslant x \leqslant 4 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise } \end{array} \right.$$ where \(k\) is a constant.
  1. Sketch f (x).
  2. Write down the mode of \(X\). Given that \(\mathrm { E } ( X ) = \frac { 29 } { 16 }\)
  3. describe, giving a reason, the skewness of the distribution.
  4. Use integration to find the value of \(k\).
  5. Write down the lower quartile of \(X\). Given also that \(\mathrm { P } ( 2 < X < 3 ) = \frac { 11 } { 36 }\)
  6. find the exact value of \(\mathrm { P } ( X > 3 )\).
Edexcel FS2 AS 2024 June Q3
9 marks Standard +0.3
  1. The continuous random variable \(Y\) has probability density function
$$f ( y ) = \left\{ \begin{array} { c c } \frac { 1 } { 24 } ( y + 2 ) ( 4 - y ) & 0 \leqslant y \leqslant 3 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise } \end{array} \right.$$
  1. Show that the mode of \(Y\) is 1 , justifying your reasoning. Given that \(\mathrm { P } ( Y < 1 ) = \frac { 13 } { 36 }\)
  2. determine whether the median of \(Y\) is less than, equal to, or greater than 2 Give a reason for your answer. Given that \(\mathrm { E } \left( Y ^ { 2 } \right) = \frac { 213 } { 80 }\)
  3. find, using algebraic integration, \(\operatorname { Var } ( 2 Y )\)
AQA S2 2009 June Q4
12 marks Standard +0.3
4 The continuous random variable \(X\) has probability density function given by $$f ( x ) = \left\{ \begin{array} { c c } \frac { 1 } { 2 } & 0 \leqslant x \leqslant 1 \\ \frac { 3 - x } { 4 } & 1 \leqslant x \leqslant 3 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise } \end{array} \right.$$
  1. Sketch the graph of f.
  2. Explain why the value of \(\eta\), the median of \(X\), is 1 .
  3. Show that the value of \(\mu\), the mean of \(X\), is \(\frac { 13 } { 12 }\).
  4. Find \(\mathrm { P } ( X < 3 \mu - \eta )\).
CAIE S2 2002 November Q6
10 marks Moderate -0.3
The average speed of a bus, \(x\) km h\(^{-1}\), on a certain journey is a continuous random variable \(X\) with probability density function given by $$\text{f}(x) = \begin{cases} \frac{k}{x^2} & 20 \leq x \leq 28, \\ 0 & \text{otherwise}. \end{cases}$$
  1. Show that \(k = 70\). [3]
  2. Find E\((X)\). [3]
  3. Find P\((X < \text{E}(X))\). [2]
  4. Hence determine whether the mean is greater or less than the median. [2]
Edexcel S2 2016 January Q6
15 marks Standard +0.3
A continuous random variable \(X\) has probability density function $$\mathrm{f}(x) = \begin{cases} ax^2 + bx & 1 \leq x \leq 7 \\ 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants.
  1. Show that \(114a + 24b = 1\) [4]
Given that \(a = \frac{1}{90}\)
  1. use algebraic integration to find \(\mathrm{E}(X)\) [4]
  2. find the cumulative distribution function of \(X\), specifying it for all values of \(x\) [3]
  3. find \(\mathrm{P}(X > \mathrm{E}(X))\) [2]
  4. use your answer to part (d) to describe the skewness of the distribution. [2]