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Stats 1 Chapter 06 Statistical Distributions Booklet

This document provides an overview of statistical distributions in A Level Mathematics. It discusses [1] general probability distributions, including representing distributions as probability mass functions, tables, and diagrams. [2] The binomial distribution and calculating probabilities for binomial random variables. [3] Calculating cumulative binomial probabilities using tables or calculators. Examples are provided to illustrate calculating probabilities for binomial distributions and cumulative binomial probabilities.

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Tadi Katsande
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27 views12 pages

Stats 1 Chapter 06 Statistical Distributions Booklet

This document provides an overview of statistical distributions in A Level Mathematics. It discusses [1] general probability distributions, including representing distributions as probability mass functions, tables, and diagrams. [2] The binomial distribution and calculating probabilities for binomial random variables. [3] Calculating cumulative binomial probabilities using tables or calculators. Examples are provided to illustrate calculating probabilities for binomial distributions and cumulative binomial probabilities.

Uploaded by

Tadi Katsande
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Level Mathematics

L6 - Statistics - Chapter 6
Statistical distributions

Chapter Overview

1. General probability distributions

2. Binomial distribution

3. Cumulative binomial probabilities

1
General Probability Distributions

The range of values that a random variable can take is called its sample
space. A probability distribution fully describes the probability of any
outcome in the sample space.

Probability distributions for discrete random variables can be described in a


number of different ways:

 as a probability mass function: {


p ( x )= 0.1 x , x =1 ,2 , 3 , 4
¿ 0 , otherwise

Advantages -

 using a table:

Advantages -

 using a diagram: p(x )

Advantages - 1
6

x
1 2 3 4 5 6

2
Example

[Textbook] Three fair coins are tossed. Write down all the possible outcomes
when the three coins are tossed.
The random variable X represents the number of heads when three coins are
tossed. Show the distribution as (i) a table, (ii) a probability mass function.

Sample Space Diagram

Distribution as a table

Distribution as a function

3
The sum of the probabilities of all outcomes of an event add up to 1.
For a random variable X, you can write Σ P ( X=x )=1 for all x.

Example

4
Calculating a Probability of a Range

We can also calculate the probability of a range of outcomes, not just a single
outcome.

Example

Find the given probabilities for this probability distribution:

x 2 3 4 5

p(x ) 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.4

a ¿ P ( X >3 )

b) P ( 2≤ X < 4 )
c) P ( 2 X +1≥ 6 )

5
We can also represent a probability distribution graphically:

 The throw of a die is an example of a


discrete uniform distribution because the
probability of each outcome is the same.

 p(x ) for discrete random variables is


known as a probability mass function,
because the probability of each outcome
represents an actual ‘amount’ (i.e. mass)
of probability.

 We can also have probability distributions


for continuous variables, e.g. height

 However, the probability that something


has a height of say exactly 30cm, is
infinitely small (effectively 0).

Exercise 6A Page 86

6
Binomial Distributions

You can model a random variable X with a binomial distribution B(n , p) if


• there are a fixed number of trials, n,
• there are two possible outcomes: ‘success’ and ‘failure’,
• there is a fixed probability of success, p
• the trials are independent of each other

If X B(n , p) then: P ( X=r )=( nr) p ( 1−p )


r n−r

Example

On a table of 8 people, 6 people are left-handed.


a) Suggest a suitable model for a random variable X : the number of left-
handed people in a group of 8, where the probability of being left-
handed is 0.1.
b) Find the probability 6 people are left-handed.
c) Suggest why the chosen model may not have been appropriate.

Example

( )
1
[Textbook] The random variable X B 12 , 6 . Find:
7

a) P ( X=2 )
b) P ( X=9 )
Example

A company claims that a quarter of the bolts sent to them are faulty. To
test this claim the number of faulty bolts in a random sample of 50 is
recorded.
(a) Give two reasons why a binomial distribution may be a suitable model
for the number of faulty bolts in the sample. (2)

Test Your Understanding

X B ( 6 , 0.2 )

What is P( X=2)?
What is P( X ≥ 5)?

I have a bag of 2 red and 8 white balls. X represents the number of red
balls I chose after 5 selections (with replacement). 8
a) How is X distributed?

b) Determine the probability that I chose 3 red balls.


Exercise 6B Page 90
Cumulative Binomial Probabilities

A cumulative probability function for a random variable X tells you the


sum of all the individual probabilities, up to and including, the given value
of x in the calculation for P( X ≤ x).

9
Cumulative binomial probability tables are provided in the formula book, but it
is easier to use your calculator to work these out.

Example

[Textbook] The random variable X B(20 , 0.4). Find:


a) P ( X ≤7 )
b) P ( X <6 )
c) P ( X ≥15 )

Cumulative probability calculations must always be in terms of ≤. When


questions are set in context there are different phrases that can be used to ask
for probabilities. The correct interpretation of these phrases is critical,
especially when dealing with cumulative probabilities. The table below gives
some examples.

10
Example

[Textbook] A spinner is designed so that probability it lands on red is 0.3.


Jane has 12 spins. Find the probability that Jane obtains:
a) no more than 2 reds
b) at least 5 reds.
Jane decides to use this spinner for a class competition. She wants the
probability of winning a prize to be ¿ 0.05. Each member of the class will have
12 spins and the number of reds will be recorded. 11

c) Find how many reds are needed to win the prize.


Exercise 6C Page 93

12

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