SM025/C10/#1 SM025/C10/#2

CHAPTER 10 – Example 1:
SPECIAL PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS 1. If X ~ B (10, 0.9), find
(a) P (X = 6) (b) P (X > 8)
(c) P (X < 2) (d) P (X ≥ 2)
10.1 BINOMIAL DISTRIBUTION
Satisfies 4 1. There are 𝑛 identical trials.
conditions: 2. Each trial has two and only two
possible outcomes, that is success or failure.
3. 𝑝 = probability of success
𝑞 = probability of failure
𝑝+𝑞 = 1.
4. The trials are independent.

𝑿~𝑩(𝒏, 𝒑). Probability of 𝑟 successes in 𝑛 trials:

𝑛
𝑃 (𝑋 = 𝑟 ) = 𝑝 𝑞
𝑟
= 𝐶 𝑝 (1 − 𝑝)
where, 𝑟 = number of successes
(𝑟 = 0,1,2, … , 𝑛)
𝑛 = number of trials
𝑝 = probability of success
𝑞 = probability of failure
=1−𝑝
 SM025/C10/#3 SM025/C10/#4

2. A four-sided dice is thrown five times. If X denotes the

number of four obtained, describe the distribution of X
and find P (X = 3).

3. In a biology examination, 45% of the students passed.

If a class of 20 students took the examination, find the
probability that,
(a) exactly 15 students passed.
(b) at least 2 students passed.
(c) more than 18 students passed.
(d) not more than 1 student passed.
 SM025/C10/#5 SM025/C10/#6

Binomial Probability Table

𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑟) = the probability for 𝑟 or more successes
(𝑟 = 0,1,2, … , 𝑛).
For 𝒑 ≤ 0.5;

Example:
𝑋~𝐵(10, 0.01) ⟹ 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 1) = 0.0956

𝑋~𝐵(10, 0.35) ⟹ 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 9) = 0.0005

𝑋~𝐵(20, 0.05) ⟹ 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 2) = 0.2642

Example 2:
1. X is a random variable such that X ~ B (5, 0.3). By
using the binomial table, find,
(a) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 3)
(b) 𝑃(𝑋 > 3)
(c) 𝑃(𝑋 < 3)
(d) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 3)
(e) 𝑃(𝑋 = 3)
 SM025/C10/#7 SM025/C10/#8

2. If 𝑋~𝐵(7, 0.45) , by using the binomial table, find, 3. If 𝑋~𝐵(6, 0.2) , by using the binomial table, determine
(a) 𝑃(2 ≤ 𝑋 < 4) (b) 𝑃(2 < 𝑋 ≤ 4) (a) 𝑃(𝑋 = 2) (b) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 5)
(c) 𝑃(2 < 𝑋 < 4) (d) 𝑃(2 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 4) (c) 𝑃(𝑋 < 2) (d) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 4)
(e) 𝑃(1 ≤ 𝑋 < 4)

Answer: (a) 0.2457 (b) 0.0016 (c) 0.6554 (d) 0.9984 (e) 0.7209
 SM025/C10/#9 SM025/C10/#10

4. In a survey it was found out that 20% of KML’s 5. For a random variable 𝑋 with a binomial distribution
lecturers exercise every day. A sample of 10 KML’s 𝐵(10, 0.45) . Find the value of 𝑎 where
lecturers are taken. Find the probability that, (a) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑎) = 0.4956 .
(a) exactly 4 of them exercise every day. (b) 𝑃(𝑋 < 𝑎) = 0.8980 .
(b) at most 3 of them exercise every day.
(c) at least 2 of them exercise every day.
(d) 1 to 5 of them exercise every day.
 SM025/C10/#11 SM025/C10/#12

For 𝒑 > 0.5;

𝑋~𝐵(𝑛, 𝑝) 𝑋~𝐵(𝑛, 1 − 𝑝)
𝑃 (𝑋 = 𝑟 ) 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑛 − 𝑟)
𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑟) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 𝑛 − 𝑟)
𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 𝑟) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑛 − 𝑟)
Example 3:
1. 𝑋 is a random variable such that 𝑋~𝐵(10, 0.8) .
By using the binomial table, find
(a) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4) (b) 𝑃(𝑋 > 5)
(c) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 7) (d) 𝑃(𝑋 < 4)
(e) 𝑃(𝑋 = 3) (f) 𝑃(2 < 𝑋 ≤ 4)
 SM025/C10/#13 SM025/C10/#14

3. The probability that a housewife buys brand A soap is 0.75. Find the Mean and Variance of Binomial Distribution
probability that in a sample of 15 housewives who bought soap for a certain day, If 𝑿~𝑩(𝒏, 𝒑) , then
(a) exactly 4 of them bought brand A soap. Mean = 𝜇 = 𝐸 (𝑋 ) = 𝑛𝑝
(b) more than 6 of them bought brand A soap. Variance = 𝜎 = Var(𝑋 ) = 𝑛𝑝𝑞
Standard Deviation = 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑥)=

Example 4:
1. A coin is tossed 40 times. Find the mean and the
standard deviation of the number of heads appeared.

Answer: (a) 0.0001 (b) 0.9958

 SM025/C10/#15 SM025/C10/#16

2. Let X ~ B(n, 0.22 ) and 𝐸 (𝑋 ) = 11 . Find 3. Of all the pupils in a particular school, 45 % go to
(a) the value of 𝑛 (b) Var(𝑋) (c) 𝑃(𝑋 = 4) school by bus. In a random sample of 30 pupils,
calculate the mean and variance number of pupils that go to school by bus.

Answer: E(X)=13.5 Var(X)=7.425

 SM025/C10/#17 SM025/C10/#18

4. At the local swimming club, the expected number of members that come can 10.2 POISSON DISTRIBUTION
swim a mile is 4.5 with variance is 3.15. Find the probability that at least three Descriptions: * named after Simé on Denis Poisson
members can swim a mile. (1781 – 1840), a Frenchman who developed the distribution
from studies during the later part of his life.
* used to describe random variables that count the number
of occurrences in a
particular time interval or space.
Satisfies 3 1. The number of occurrences is a discrete random
conditions: variable
2. The occurrences are random
3. The occurrences are independent

Example:
i) the number of telephone calls per day
ii) the number of misprints per page
iii) the number of bacteria in 2 ml liquid
 SM025/C10/#19 SM025/C10/#20

If 𝑋 is a Poisson random variable, then 𝑿~𝑷𝒐 (𝝀) ,

and the probability of 𝑥 occurrences in an interval is

𝑃 (𝑋 = 𝑟) = , 𝑟 = 0, 1, 2, 3, …
!

where, 𝑟 = Number of occurrences

𝜆 = Mean number of occurrences in the interval
𝑒 = 2.718281828…

Example 5: 2. An average of three cars arrive at a highway toll gate every minute. If this rate
1. If 𝑋~𝑃 (6) , find the probability by using formula for is approximately Poisson distribution, what is the probability that exactly,
(a) 𝑃(𝑋 = 3) (b) 𝑃(𝑋 < 2) (a) five cars will arrive in one minute.
(c) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 2) (d) 𝑃(3 < 𝑋 ≤ 5) (b) seven cars will arrive in five minutes.
 SM025/C10/#21 SM025/C10/#22

3. Emergency calls to an ambulance service are received at random times, at an

average of 2 calls per hour. Calculate the probability that, Finding Probability Using the Poisson Table
(a) no emergency calls are received in one hour period.
(b) exactly one call is received in the first half hour. 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑟) = the probability of the variable having at least 𝑟 occurrence for each
particular value of 𝜆 .

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑟) = 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑟) − 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑟 + 1)

𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 𝑟) = 1 − 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑟 + 1)
𝑃(𝑋 < 𝑟) = 1 − 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑟)

Example 6:
1. If 𝑿~𝑷𝒐 (𝟓. 𝟓) , find
(a) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 5) (b) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 5) (c) 𝑃(𝑋 = 5)
(d) 𝑃(𝑋 < 4) (e) 𝑃(𝑋 > 3) (f) 𝑃(3 ≤ 𝑋 < 8)
SM025/C10/#23 SM025/C10/#24

2. The number of breakdowns in a particular machine occurs at a rate of 2.5 per

month. Assuming that the number of breakdowns follows Poisson distribution,
find the probability that,
(a) more than three breakdowns occur in a particular
month.
(b) less than ten breakdowns occur in three months
period.
(c) exactly three breakdowns occur in two months.
 SM025/C10/#25 SM025/C10/#26

Mean and Variance of Poisson Distribution

3. An average number of cars sold at a center per week is
10, determine If 𝑿~𝑷𝒐 (𝝀), therefore
(a) the probability that 5 cars are sold in that center Mean and Variance of a Poisson Distribution
week.
𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧 = 𝐸 (𝑋 ) = 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 = Var(𝑋) = 𝝀
(b) the probability that less than 4 cars are sold.
(c) the number of cars sold in an interval of 2 weeks.
(d) at most 4 cars sold in 2 weeks. Example 7:
1. If 𝑋~𝑃 (3) find the mean, variance and standard deviation.

Answer: a) 0.0378 b) 0.0103 c) 20 d) 0

 SM025/C10/#27 SM025/C10/#28

2. If the random variable 𝑋 follows a Poisson Distribution with mean 9, find 10.3 NORMAL DISTRIBUTION
(a) 𝐸(𝑋) (b) Var(𝑋) (c) 𝑃(𝑋 < 4)
𝑿~𝑵(𝝁 , 𝝈𝟐 ) where mean 𝜇 and variance 𝜎
Descriptions: * Continuous random variable.
* Examples: heights, weights of people, scores and time
* A bell-shaped curve
Characteristics: (a) The total area under the curve is 1.0
(b) The curve is symmetric about the mean 𝜇
(c) The two tails of the curve extend infinitely,
with the 𝑥-axis as its asymptote
(d) Use the Normal distribution table to
determine probabilities.

Standard
deviation = 
Area = 0.5

Area = 0.5

Mean = 

Standardizing the variable 𝑿

𝑋~𝑁(𝜇, 𝜎 ) where 𝜇 ≠ 0 , 𝜎 ≠ 1
Formula transformation
𝑋−𝜇
𝑍=
𝜎
Answer: a) 9 b) 9 c) 0.0212 𝑍~𝑁(0, 1) where 𝜇 = 0 , 𝜎 = 1
 SM025/C10/#29 SM025/C10/#30

(i) 𝑃 (𝑍 > 𝑎 ) = 𝑃 (𝑍 ≥ 𝑎 ) (iv) 𝑃 (𝑍 < 𝑎 ) =

(v) 𝑃 (𝑎 < 𝑍 < 𝑏 ) =

(ii) 𝑃(𝑍 < −𝑎) =

(vi) 𝑃(−𝑏 < 𝑍 < −𝑎) =

(iii) 𝑃(𝑍 > −𝑎) =
 SM025/C10/#31 SM025/C10/#32

(vii) 𝑃(𝑍 < |𝑎|) = 𝑃(−𝑎 < 𝑍 < 𝑎)

Note: Table 𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑧) or 𝑃(𝑍 ≥ 𝑧)

Example 8:
1.Given that 𝑍 is a standard normal distribution 𝑍~𝑁(0, 1) , determine
(a) 𝑃(𝑍 > 3) (b) 𝑃(𝑍 < 1.26)
(c) 𝑃(𝑍 > −1.37) (d) 𝑃(𝑍 < −1.85)
(e) 𝑃(0.2 < 𝑍 < 0.5) (f) 𝑃(−0.71 < 𝑍 < 2.53)
(g) 𝑃(|𝑍| > 2.64) (h) 𝑃(|𝑍| < 1)

(viii) 𝑃(𝑍 > |𝑎|) = 𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑎) 𝑜𝑟 𝑃(𝑍 < −𝑎)

SM025/C10/#33 SM025/C10/#34
 SM025/C10/#35 SM025/C10/#36

3. 𝑋 is a continuous random variable that has a normal distribution with a mean 4. If 𝑋~𝑁(100, 16) , determine
of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. Convert the following 𝑋 values to 𝑍 (a) 𝑃(𝑋 > 104) (b) 𝑃(𝑋 < 115)
values, if (c) 𝑃(90 < 𝑋 ≤ 112)
(a) 𝑋 = 55 (b) 𝑋 = 35
 SM025/C10/#37 SM025/C10/#38

5. Let 𝑋 be a continuous random variable that has a normal distribution with 6. If 𝑍~𝑁(0, 1) , determine the value of 𝑘 for the
mean of 40 and a standard deviation of 5. Find the following probability, following cases
(a) 𝑃(𝑋 > 55) (b) 𝑃(𝑋 < 49) (a) 𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑘) = 0.4013
(b) 𝑃(𝑍 < 𝑘) = 0.0187
(c) 𝑃(𝑍 > 𝑘) = 0.9738

Answer: a) 0.00135 b) 0.9641

SM025/C10/#39 SM025/C10/#40

10. Given that the lengths of a particular type of fish in

Perdana Lake are distributed normally with mean
12.5 cm and standard deviation 3.6 cm. Determine the
probability that a fish caught in this lake has a length
which is
(a) more than 15 cm,
(b) less than 11.4 cm
(c) between 10 cm and 13 cm.

Answer: a) 0.2451 b) 0.3783 c) 0.3106

 SM025/C10/#41 SM025/C10/#42

11. In a company, the wages of a certain grade of staff are normally distributed
with a standard deviation of RM 400. If 20.05% of staff earn less than RM 300 10.4 DISTRIBUTION APPROXIMATION
a week,
(a) What is the average wage? Use the Normal Distribution to approximate the Binomial Distribution
(b) What percentage of staff earns more than RM 500 a week?
If 𝑿~𝑩(𝒏, 𝒑) then 𝝁 = 𝒏𝒑 and
𝝈𝟐 = 𝒏𝒑𝒒 , where 𝒒 = 𝟏 − 𝒑 .
If
 𝑛 is large (>50)
 𝑛𝑝 ≥ 5
 0.1 ≤ 𝑝 ≤ 0.9,
the following approximation can be used 𝑿~𝑵(𝒏𝒑, 𝒏𝒑𝒒) .

The closer 𝑝 to 0.5 , the better the approximation.

𝑿~𝑩(𝒏, 𝒑) 𝑿~𝑵(𝒏𝒑, 𝒏𝒑𝒒)

 SM025/C10/#43 SM025/C10/#44

Continuity Corrections Box Method

The binomial distribution applies to discrete random variable, whereas the

normal distribution applies to continuous random variable, so we need to make
some corrections for continuity as follows:

Discrete Random Variable Continuous Random Variable

𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑎) 𝑃(𝑎 − 0.5 < 𝑋 < 𝑎 + 0.5)

𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 𝑎) 𝑃(𝑋 > 𝑎 − 0.5)

𝑃(𝑋 > 𝑎) 𝑃(𝑋 > 𝑎 + 0.5)
𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 𝑎) 𝑃(𝑋 < 𝑎 + 0.5)
𝑃(𝑋 < 𝑎) 𝑃(𝑋 < 𝑎 − 0.5)
𝑃(𝑎 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 𝑏) 𝑃(𝑎 − 0.5 < 𝑋 < 𝑏 + 0.5)
𝑃(𝑎 < 𝑋 < 𝑏) 𝑃(𝑎 + 0.5 < 𝑋 < 𝑏 − 0.5)
𝑃(𝑎 ≤ 𝑋 < 𝑏) 𝑃(𝑎 − 0.5 < 𝑋 < 𝑏 − 0.5)
𝑃(𝑎 < 𝑋 ≤ 𝑏) 𝑃(𝑎 + 0.5 < 𝑋 < 𝑏 + 0.5)
 SM025/C10/#45 SM025/C10/#46

Example 9:
1. Write down each probability below after continuity
corrections:
(a) 𝑃(𝑋 < 10) (b) 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 5) (c) 𝑃(𝑋 > 8)
(d) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 125) (e) 𝑃(𝑋 = 32) (f) 𝑃(3 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 9)
(g) 𝑃(2 ≤ 𝑋 < 7)
 SM025/C10/#47 SM025/C10/#48

2. If 𝑋~𝐵 (80,0.3), use the normal distribution to approximate

(a) 𝑃(𝑋 = 14) (b) 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 15)
(c) 𝑃 (𝑋 < 16) (d) 𝑃(12 ≤ 𝑋 < 18)
 SM025/C10/#49 SM025/C10/#50

3. It is known that 10% of the patients with high fever are confirmed to be
suffering from dengue fever.
(a) If 20 patients with high fever are randomly chosen, find the probability that
less than 6 are confirmed to be suffering from dengue fever.
(b) If 100 patients with high fever are randomly chosen
(i) approximate the probability that 10 to 15 patients are confirmed to be
suffering from dengue fever.
(ii) find the value of 𝑘 such that the probability of more than 𝑘 patients
that are confirmed to be suffering from the dengue fever is 0.025.
 SM025/C10/#51 SM025/C10/#52

4. Auto vend sells new cars and second-hand cars. The probability of selling
new car is 0.4 and the probability of selling automatic cars is 0.1. The sales of
new and second-hand cars are randomly distributed throughout the week,
(a) For a particular week, where the company sells 20 cars, find the probability
that
(i) at most 5 new cars are sold
(ii) more new cars are sold than second-hand cars.
(b) During a 3-month period, 200 cars are sold. Using a suitable approximation,
find the probability that
(i) less than 85 new cars are sold
(ii) 12 cars with automatic gearboxes are sold.

Answer: a) i) 0.1271 ii) 0.1271 b) i) 0.7422 ii) 0.0156