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6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

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210 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

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IAre the Rockets Hitting the Targets?1During the latter days of World War Il, the Germans developed flying rocket1bombs. These bombs were used to attack London. Allied military intelligence didn't1 know whether these bombs were fired at random or had a sophisticated aiming device.1 To determine the answer, they used a probability distribution called the Poissonl distribution.1 This chapter explains the Poisson distribution as well as the concepts of a probabil­! ity distribution and gives examples of several other common distributions used in prob­Iability and statistics.

1 Source: Elementary Probability and Statistical Reasoningby HowardE. ReinhartandDon O. Loftsgaarden (Lexington,!MA:D. C.Heath & Co.,1977).

...............: .

-Introduction

Many decisions in business, insurance, and other real-life situations are made by as­signing probabilities to all possible outcomes pertaining to the situation and then evalu­ating the results. For example, a saleswoman can compute the probability that she willmake 0,1,2, or 3 or more sales in a single day. An insurance company might be able toassign probabilities to the number of vehicles a family owns. A self-employed speaker

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6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

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Section 6-2 Probability Distributions 211

i

ProbabilityDistributions

~bj~ctrulJl ~. Construct aprobability distribution forarandom variable.

might be able to compute the probabilities for giving 0, 1,2,3, or 4 or more speecheseach week. Once these probabilities are assigned, statistics such as the mean, variance,and standard deviation can be computed for these events. With these statistics, variousdecisions can be made. The saleswoman will be able to compute the average number ofsales she makes per week, and if she is working on commission, she will be able to ap­proximate her weekly income over a period of time, say monthly. The public speakerwill be able to plan ahead and approximate his average income and expenses. The in­surance company can use its information to design special computer forms and pro­grams to accommodate its customers' future needs.

This chapter explains the concepts and applications of what is' called a probabilitydistribution. In addition, special probability distributions, such as the binomial1 multi­nomial. Poisson. and hypergeometric distributions, are explained.-Before probability distribution is defined formally, the definition of variable is re­viewed. In Chapter 1, a variable was defmed as a characteristic or attribute that can as­sume different values. Various letters of the alphabet, such as X. Y, or Z, are used torepresent variables. Since the variables in this chapter are associated with probability,they are called random variables.

For example, if a die is rolled, a letter such as X can be used to represent-the out­comes. Then the value X can assume is 1, 2, 3,4,5, or 6, corresponding to the outcomesofrolling a single die. If two coins are tossed, a letter, say Y, can be used to represent thenumber of heads, in this case 0, 1, or 2. As another example, if the temperature at8:00 A.M. is 43° and at noon it is 53°, then the values (T) the temperature assumes aresaid to be random, since they are due to various atmospheric conditions at the time thetemperature was taken.

Arandom variable is avariable whose values are determined by chance.

Also recall from Chapter 1 that one can classify variables as discrete or continuousby observing the values the variable can assume. If a variable can assume only a specificnumber of values, such as the outcomes for the roll of a die or the outcomes for the tossof a coin, then the variable is called a discrete variable. Discrete variables have valuesthat can be counted. For example, the number of joggers in Riverview Park each dayand the number of phone calls received after a TV commercial airs are examples of dis­crete variables since they can be counted.

Variables that can assume all values in the interval between any two given valuesare called continuous variables. For example, if the temperature goes from 62° to 78° ina 24-hour period, it has passed through every possible number. from 62 to 78. Continu­ous random variables are obtainedfrom data that can be measured,rather than coupted:Examples of continuous variables are heights, weights, temperatures, and time. In thischapter only discrete random variables are used; Chapter 7 explains continuous randomvariables. 'It

The procedure shown here for constructing a probability distribution for a discreterandom variable uses the probability experiment of tossing three coins. Recall that whenthree coins are tossed, the sample space is represented as TIT, TIR, THT, HTI, HHT,HTII, THH, HHH, and ifX is the random variable for the number of heads, then X as­sumes the value 0,1,2, or 3.

G I Bluman: ElementaryStatistics: AStep byStepApproach, Fourth Edition

I 6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

I Text ©The McGraw-Hili'Companies. 2001

212 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions .

...Probabilities for the values of X can be determined as follows:

'.!'.. No heads One head Two heads . Three heads

tIT TIH TIIT HIT IllIT HTH THH HHH1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1'8 '8 '8 '8 '8 '8 '8 '8~ ~

1 i 3 1'8 '8 '8

Hence, the probability of getting no heads is t, one head is t, two heads is t, andthree heads is t. From these values, a probability distribution can be constructed by list­ing the outcomes and assigning the probability of each outcome, as shown.

Number of heads, X

Probability, P(X>o18"

12­8

2 31'8

~' Example 6-1

Adiscrete probability distribution consists of the values arandom variable can assume and thecorresponding probabilities of the values. The probabilities are determined theoretically or by observation.

Construct a probability distribution for rolling a single die.

Solution

Since the sample space is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, and each outcome has a probability of~, thedistribution is as follows:

Ontcome,X

Probability, P(X>

11'6

21'6

31'6

416

51'6

61'6

Probability distributions can be shown graphically by representing the values of Xon the x axis and the probabilities P(X'> on the y axis.

Represent graphically the probability distribution for the sample space for tossing threecoins..

Solution

Number of heads, X

Probability, P(X>o1'8

1.3'8

238"

31'8

The values X assumes are located on the x axis, and the values for P(X'> are located 'onthe y axis. The graph is shown in Figure (r...1.,

Note that for visual appearances, it is not necessary to start with 0 at the origin.The preceding .examples are illustrations of theoretical probability distributions.

One did not need to actually perform the experiments to compute the probabilities. Incontrast, to construct actual probability distributions, one must observe the variable overa period of time. They are empirical, as shown in the next example.

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6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

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Section~2 ProbabilityDistributions 213

Solution

The probability P(X> can be computed for each X by dividing the number of days Xsaws were rented by total days.

for 0 saws: ~ = 0.50 for 1 saw: ~ = 0.33 for 2 saws: Po = 0.17

The distribution is as follows:

During the summer months, a rental agency keeps track of the number of chain saws itrents each day during a period of 90 days. The number of saws rented per day is repre­sented by the variable X. The results are shown here. Compute the probability P(X> foreach X, and construct a probability distribution and graph for the data.

X Number of days

o 45

1 302 15

Total 90

2

3

0.17

2

1

0.33o

0.50

Number ofsaws

2

Number of headso

Number of saws rented, X

o

Probability, P(X)

The graph is shown in Figure 6-2.

a8

~~ z.ce 8c..

18

1.00

~ 0.8~.c 0.6ec..

0.4

0.2

Figure 6-1

ProbabilityDistributionfor Example~3

Figure 6-2

~ ProbabilityDistributionfor Example~2

Many variables in business, education, engineering, and other areas can be ana­lyzed by using probability distributions. The next section shows methods for finding themean and standard deviation for a probability distribution.

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X 1 2 3 4 5

P(X) l- 1... 1... fo .a10 10 10 10

X 20 30 40 50

P(X) 1.1 0.2 0.9 0.3

~I5 10 15

1.2 0.3 0.5

6-9.

For Exercises 6-12 through 6-18, state whether thevariable is discrete or continuous.

6-12. The speed of a race car.

6-13. The number of cups of coffee a fast-food restaurantserves each day.

6-14. The number of people who play the state lotteryeach day.

6-15. The weight of a rhinoceros.

6-16. The time it takes to complete an exercise session.

6-11.

6-10.

Text6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

Determine whether each distribution is a probability distribution.

a~0 5 10 15 20

C'~I1 2 3 4

! t ! ! !

*! -k .2-P(X) 5 5 5 5 8 16

b'~10 2 4 6 d.~ 2 3 7

-1.0 1.5 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.4P(X)

Solution

Oluman: ElementaryStatistics:AStep byStepApproach. Fourth Edition

a Yes, it is a probability distribution.

b. No, it is not a probability distribution, since P(X) cannot be 1.5 or -1.0.c. Yes, it is a probability distribution.

d. No, it is not, since E P(X) = 1.2.

214 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

; Example IH4 '

6-6.

~I1 3 5 7 9 111 ! ~ ~

1 16 6 6 6

6-7.

~I3 6 9 12 15:! 2 1 ! !9 9 9 9 9

6-8.

~3 6 8

-0.3 0.6 0.7

6-1. Define and give three examples of a random variable.

6-2. Explain the difference between a discrete and acontinuous random variable.

6-3. Give three examples of a discrete random variable.

6-4. Give three examples of a continuous random variable.

6-5. What is a probability distribution? Give an example.

For Exercises 6-6 through 6-11, determine whether thedistribution represents a probability distribution. If it isnot, state why.

..

- 0 _

In Chapter 3, the means for a sample or popu1ation were computed by adding the valuesand dividing by the total number of values, as shown in the formu1as:

The mean, variance, and standard deviation for a probability distribution are computeddifferently from the mean, variance, and standard deviation for samples. This section ex­plains how these measures-as well as a new measure called the expectation-are cal­cu1ated for probability distributions.

6313"

Section 6-3 Mean, Variance, and Expectation 215

A probability distribution can be written in formulanotation as PCX> == lIX, where X = 2, 3, 6. Thedistribution is shown as follows:

~---::2_--:-_--..,,-POOl !

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6-27. A box contains three $1 bills, two $5 bills, one $10bill, and one $20 bill. Construct a probability distributionfor the data.

6-28. Construct a probability distribution for a family ofthree children. Let X represent the number of boys.

6-29. Construct a probability distribution for drawing acard from a deck of 40 cards consisting of -10 cardsnumbered 1, 10 cards numbered 2, 15 cards numbered 3,and 5 cards numbered 4.

6-30. Using the sample space for tossing two dice,construct a probability distribution for the sums 2through 12.

*6-31. PCX> == Xl6for X = 1, 2, 3

*6-32. PCX> == X for X = 0.2, 0.3, 0.5

*6-33. PCX> = Xl6for X = 3, 4, 7

*6-34. PCX> == X + 0.1 for X = 0.1, 0.02, 0.04

*6-35. PCX> == Xl7 for X == 1, 2, 4

*6-36. PCX> == XlCX + 2) for X = 0, 1, 2

For Exercises 6-31 through 6-36, write the distributionfor the formula and determine whether it is aprobability distribution.

2:Xp.,=-

N

Text

11..

- 2:XX=­

n

But how wou1d one compute the mean of the number of spots that show on top when adie is rolled? One cou1dtry rolling the die, say, 10 times, recording the number of spots,and finding the mean; however, this answer wou1d only approximate the true mean.What about 50 rolls or 100 rolls? Actually, the more times the die is rolled, the better theapproximation. One might ask then, "How many times must the die be rolled to get theexact answer?" It must be rolled an infinite number of times. Since this task is impossi­ble, the above formu1as cannot be used because the denominators wou1d be infinity.

6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

Bluman: ElementaryStatistics: AStep byStepApproach, Fourth Edition

Objective 2. Find themean,variance, and expected valueforadiscrete randomvariable.

Mean

,6-17. The number of mathematics majors in your school., ' ;,

,6-18. The blood pressures of all patients admitted to ahospital on a specific day. .

For Exercises 6-19 through 6-26, construct aprobability distribution for the data and draw a graph

. for the distribution.

6-19. The probabilities that a patient will have 0, 1,2, or 3medical tests performed on entering a hospital are ft, is, fs'

'and fs-' respectively. 0

..6-20. The probabilities of a return on an investment of.$1000, $2000, and $3000 are!, !,and ], respectively.

},6-21. The probabilities of a machine manufacturing 0, 1,2,3,4, or 5 defective parts in one day are 0.75,0.17,0.04,

i0.Q25, 0.01, and 0.005, respectively.

,;,6-22. The probabilities that a customer will purchase 0,1,<2, or 3 books are 0.45, 0.30, 0.15, and 0.10, respectively.

.. -6-23. A die is loaded in such a way that the probabilities ofgetting 1, 2, 3,4, 5, and 6 are!, !,fz, fz, fz, and fz,

: re~pectively.

(~24. The probabilities that a customer selects 1, 2, 3, 4, or. 5 items at a convenience store are 0.32,0.12,0.23,0.18,.and 0.15, respectively.

6-25. The probabilities that a tutor sees 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5students in anyone day are 0.10,0.25,0.25, 0.2Q, and 0.20,respectively.

." 6-26. Three patients are given a headache relief tablet. The'" probabilities for 0, 1,2, or 3 successes are 0.18,0.52,0.21,

and 0.09, respectively.

j::: Mean, Variance, andit Expectation

Solution

616

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1"6

541"6

1"6

321"6

1"6

1

Text

Outcome,X

Probability, P(X)

JL = IX, P(X) = 1 . ~ + 2· ~ + 3 . ~ + 4· ~ + 5 . ~ + 6· ~

= ~ = 3tor3.5

6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

Hence, a new method of computing the mean is necessary. This method gives the exacttheoretical value of the mean as if it were possible to roll the die an infinite number oftimes.

Before the formula is stated, an example will be used to explain the concept. Sup­pose two coins are tossed repeatedly, and the number ofheads that occurred is recorded.What will the mean of the number of heads be? The sample space is

HH, HT, TIl, IT

and each outcome has a probability of l Now, in the long run, one would expect twoheads (HH) to occur approximately t of the time, one head to occur approximately tofthe time (HT or TII), and no heads (IT) to occur approximately tof the time, Hence, onaverage, one would expect the number of heads to be

t·2+t·l+t·O=1

That is, if it were possible to toss the coins many times or an infinite number of times,the average of the number of heads would be 1.

Hence, in order to find the mean for a probability distribution, one must multiplyeach possible outcome by its corresponding probability and find the sum of the products.

Find the mean of the number of spots that appear when a die is tossed.

Rounding Rule for the Mean, Variance, and Standard Deviation for a Probability DistributionThe rounding rule for the mean, variance, and standard deviation for variables of a prob­ability distribution is this: The mean, variance, and standard deviation should berounded to one more decimal place than the outcome, X. When fractions are used, theyshould be reduced to the lowest terms.

The next four examples illustrate the use of the formula,

In the toss of a die, the mean can be computed as follows.

!I..

Stuman: ElemelllaryStatistics:AStepbyStepApproach, Fourth Edition

216 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

; Example 6--5

1_'__ .

Bluman:Elementary 6.Discrete ProbabilityStatistics: AStep byStep DistributionsApproach, Fourth Edition

Text © The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

Ir

Section 6-3 Mean, Variance, and Expectation 217

ll..

That is, when a die is tossed many times, the theoretical mean will be 3.5. Note that eventhpugh the die cannot show a 3.5, the theoretical average is 3.5.

The reason why this formula gives the theoretical mean is that in the long run, eachoutcome would occur approximately i of the time. Hence, multiplying the outcome byits corresponding probability and finding the sum would yield the theoretical mean. Inother words, the outcome 1 would occur approximately i of the time, the outcome 2would occur approximately i of the time, etc.

Also, since a mean is not a probability, it can be a number greater than one.

i'1

,

, 1

IIII

4

0.04

1'8

3

21<[

30.06

23'8

12

1

20.2

1

1<[

o

1

0.4

o!8

o0.3

Number of girls, X

Probability, P(X)

Probability, P(X)

Number ofitems, X

Probability, P(X)

Hence, the mean is

JL = 1,X . P(X) = 0 . ~ + 1 . ! + 2 . i = 1

JL = 1,X . P(X)

= (0)(0.3) + (1)(0.4) + (2)(0.2) + (3)(0.06) + (4)(0.04) = 1.14 = 1.1

In a family.with two children, find the mean of the number of children who will be girls.

Solution

The probability distribution is as follows:

..............................................................................................................................................................................

No. The average is only one topping per pizza.

Find the mean for the distribution.Can one conclude that people like pizza with a lot of toppings?

The mean is

JL = 1,X . P(X) = 0 . t + 1 . i + 2 . i + 3 . i =¥= 1! or 1.5

The value 1.5 cannot occur as an outcome. Nevertheless, it is the long-run or theoreticalaverage.

Solution

If three coins are tossed, find the mean of the number of heads that occur. (See the tablepreceding Example 6-1.)

Solution

The probability distribution is as follows:

Number of heads, X

In a restaurant, the following probability distribution was obtained for the number ofitems a person ordered for a large pizza

I • I

I . f I

, EXample &-47

1

!

I~_. - .. ._.. ...............................................................................................................................................................................

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or

Text6.DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

These formulas cannot be used for a random variable of a probability distribution sinceN is infinite, so the variance and standard deviation must be computed differently.

To find the variance for the random variable of a probability distribution, subtractthe theoretical mean of the random variable from each outcome and square the differ­ence. Then multiply each difference by its corresponding probability and add the prod­ucts. The formula is

For a probability distribution, the mean of the random variable describes the measure ofthe so-called long-run or theoretical average, but it does not tell anything about thespread of the distribution. Recall from Chapter 3 that in order to measure this spread orvariability, statisticians use the variance and standard deviation. The following formulaswere used:

Remember that the variance and standard deviation cannot be negative.

if = I [(X - JL)Z . P(X)J

Finding the variance by using this formula is somewhat tedious. So for simplifiedcomputations, a shortcut formula can be used. This formula is algebraically equivalentto the longer one and will be used in the examples that follow.

Five balls numbered 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 are placed in a bag. After the balls are mixed, oneis selected, its number is noted, and then it is replaced. If this experiment is repeatedmany times, find the variance and standard deviation of the numbers on theballs.

Compute the variance and standard deviation for the probability distribution in Exam­ple 6-5.

Solution

..............................................................................................................................................................................

Recall that the mean is JL =3.5, as computed in Example 6-5. Square each outcome andmultiply by the corresponding probability, sum those products, and then subtract thesquare of the mean.

(1'2 = [12 . i + 22 . i + 32 . i + 42 . i + 52 . i + 62 • iJ - (3.5)2 = 2.9

To get the standard deviation, find the square root of the variance.

(1' = V29 = 1.7

-_ ..,.,--'------_._~--_.._---- - .'-- _._-_._--------_..------,----_.-

218 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions~

Variance.'

, Example 6-9 ' ,

, Example 6-10

e 8luman:ElementaryStatistics:AStepbyStepApproach, Fourth Edition

The mean is

...............................................................................................................................................................................

di i

15"

815"

6

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies, 2001

15"

4215"

o15"

Section 6-3 Mean, Variance,and Expectation 219~.

0 0.2 0 02 0.2 0.4 0.84 0.2 0.8 3.26 0.2 1.2 7.2

8 0.2 1.6 12.8~ X . P(X) =4.0 ~X2. P(X) = 24

Text

Number on ball, X

Probability, P(X)

Solution

The mean is

f.L = .I X . P(X> = 0 . t + 2 . t + 4 . ! + 6 . ! + 8 . ! = 4.0

The variance is

(72 = .I [X2 . P(X>] - p}

= [02 . (!) + 22 • (t) + 42 . C!-) + 62 • C!-) + 82 • (t)] - 42

= [0 + ~ + ¥ + ¥+ ~] - 16= l~O _ 16

= 24 - 16 = 8

The standard deviation is (7 = VB = 2.8.

The mean, variance, and standard deviation can also be found by using verticalcolumns, as shown. (0.2 is used for P(X> since! = 0.2.)

X P(X) X' P(X) X2 . P(X)

LetXbe the number on each ball. The probability distribution is as follows:

f.L = .I X . P(X>

= 0 . (0.18) + 1 . (0.34) + 2· (0.23) + 3 . (0.21) + 4 . (0.04)

= 1.6

~ 0 1 2 3 4P(X)l 0.18 0.34 0.23 0.21 0.04

Should the station have considered getting more phone lines installed?

The probability that 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 people will be placed on hold when they call a radiotalk show is shown in the distribution. Find the variance and standard deviation for thedata. The radio station has four phone lines. When all lines are full, a busy signal isheard.

Solution

Find the mean by summing the X· P(X> column and the variance by summing theX2 . P(X'} column and subtracting the square of the mean:

(72 = 24 - 42 = 8

Bluman: Elementary 6.DiscreteProbabilityStatistics:AStep byStep DistributionsApproach, Fourth Edition

One thousand tickets are sold at $1 each for a color television valued at $350. What isthe expected value of the gain if a person purchases one ticket?

Solution

The problem can be set up as follows:

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

-$19991000

Wm Lose

11000

$349Gain,X

Probability, P(X)

I TextI 6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

The expected value of adiscrete random variable of aprobability distribution is the theoretical average ofthe variable, The formula is .

JL = E(X) = l X· P(X)

The symbol E(X) isused for the expected value.

Another concept related to the mean for a probability distribution is the concept of ex­pected value or expectation. Expected value is used in various types of games of chance,in insurance, and in other areas, such as decision theory.

(T2 = [k X2 . P(X)] - JL2

= [02 • (0.18) + 12 • (0.34) + 22 • (0.23)+ 32 • (0.21) + 42 • (0.04)] - 1.62

= [0 + 0.34 + 0.92 + 1.89 + 0.64] - 2.56= 3.79 - 2.56= 1.2

The standard deviation is (T = W, or (T = y'f.2 = 1.1.No. The mean number of people on hold is 1.6. Since the standard deviation is 1.1,

most callers would be accommodated by having four phone lines because JL + 2(Twould be 1.6 + 2(1.1) = 1.6 + 2.2 = 3.8. Very few callers would get a busy signalsince at least 75% of the callers would either get through or be put on hold. (See Cheby­shev's theorem in Section 3-3.)

The formula for the expected value is the same as the formula for the theoreticalmean. The expected value, then, is the theoretical mean of the probability distribution.That is, E(X) = JL.

When expected value problems involve money, it is customary to round the answerto the nearest cent.

Two things should be noted. First, for a win, the net gain is $349, since the persondoes not get the cost of the ticket ($1) back. Second, for a loss, the gain is representedby a negative number, in this case -$1. The solution, then, is

1 999E(X) = $349 . 1000 + (-$1) . 1000 = -$0.65

"'-,The variance is

220 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

;,

, ample fj-; 2 ,~

Expectation

e I 8luman: ElementaryStatistics: A Step bV StepApproach. Fourth EditiDn

>~----------------------------------------

An alternate solution is

...............................................................................................................................................................................

-$2

9921000

$82

1000

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies, 2001

0.60

-$70,000

$23

21000

0.40

$250,000

$48

21000

Section 6-3 Mean, Variance, and Expectation 221

$982

1000

Probability, P(X)

Profit, X

Text

Gain,X

Probability, P(X)

E(X) = ($250,000)(0.40) + (-$70,000)(0.60) = $58,000

2 2 2 2 992E(X) = $98 . 1000 + $48 . 1000 + $23 . 1000 + $8 . 1000 + (-$2) . 1000

= -$1.63

Here, the overall gain ($350) must be used.Note that the expectation is -$0.65. This does not mean that a person loses $0.65,

since the person can only win a television set valued at $350 or lose $1 on.the ticket,What this expectation means is that the average of the losses is $0.65 fO}ea911 ?f tlle1000 ticket holders. Here is another way of looking at this situation: If aperson pur­chased one ticket each week over a long period of time, theaverage loss would-be $0.65per ticket, since theoretically, on average, that person would win the set once for each1000tickets purchased. .... ,

1E(X) = $350 . - - $1 = -$0.65

1000

A ski resort loses $70,000 per season when it does not snow very much and makes$250,000 profit when it does snow a lot. The probability of it snowing at least 75 inches(i.e., a goodseason) is 40%.Find the expectation for the profit.

Expected value problems of this type can also be solved by finding the overall gain(i.e., the value of the prize won or the amount of money won not considering the cost ofthe ticket for the prize or the cost to play the game) and subtracting the cost of the tick­ets or the cost to play the game, as shown:

222 2E(X) = $100 . 1000 + $50 . 1000 + $25 . 1000 + $10 . 1000 - $2

= -$1.63

..............................................................................................................................................................;. .

Solution

Solution

One thousand tickets are sold at $1 each for four prizes of $100, $50, $25, and $10.What is the expected value if a person purchases two tickets?

In gambling games, if the expected value of the game is zero, the game is said to befair. If the expected value of a game is positive, then the game is in favor of the player.

6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

"

Bluman: ElementaryStatistics: A Step bV StepApproach. Fourth Edition

e I 8luman:ElementaryStatistics:AStepbyStep

, Approach. Fourth Edition

6.DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

I Text © The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

222 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

~.

That is, the player has a better-than-even chance of winning. If the expected value of thegame is negative, then the game is said to be in favor of the house. That is, in the longrun, the players will lose money.

In his book Probabilities in Everyday Life (Ivy Books, 1986), author John D.McGervy gives the expectations for various casino games. For keno, the "house" wins$0.27 on every $1.00 bet. For chuck-a-luck, the "house" wins about $0.52 on every dol­lar bet. For roulette, the "house" wins about $0.90 on every dollar bet. For craps, the"house" wins about $0.88 on every dollar bet. The bottom line here is that if you gam­ble long enough, sooner or later, you will end up losing money.

6-37. From past experience, a company has found that incartons of transistors, 92% contain no defective transistors,3% contain one defective transistor, 3% contain twodefective transistors, and 2% contain three defectivetransistors. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviationfor the defective transistors.About how many extra transistors per day would thecompany need to replace the defective ones if it uses 10cartons per day?

6-38. The number of suits sold per day at a retail store isshown in the table, with the corresponding probabilities.Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of thedistribution.

6-41. A public speaker computes the probabilities for thenumber of speeches she gives each week. Compute themean, variance, and standard deviation of the distributionshown.

If she receives $100 per speech, about how much wouldshe earn per week?

6-42. A recent survey by an insurance company showedthe following probabilities for the number of automobileseach policyholder owned. Find the mean, variance, andstandard deviation for the distribution.

0.06 0.42 0.22 0.12 0.15 0.03

4321

o 1 2 345Number ofspeeches,X

Number ofautomobiles, X

Probability, P(X)

23

0.1

22

0.2

21

0.3

20

0.2

Number of suitssold, X 19

Probability, P(X) 0.2

6-40. The probability distribution for the number ofcustomers per day at the Sunrise Coffee Shop is shownbelow. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation ofthe distribution.

If the manager of the retail store wanted to be sure that hehas enough suits for the next five days, how many shouldthe manager purchase?

6-39. Abank vice-president feels that each savingsaccount customer has, on average, three credit cards. Thefollowing distribution represents the number of credit cardspeople own. Find the mean, variance, and standarddeviation. Is the vice president correct?

6-43. A concerned parents group determined the numberof commercials shown in each of five children's programsover a period of time. Find the mean, variance, andstandard deviation for the distribution shown.

6-44. A study conducted by a TV station showed thenumber of televisions per household and the correspondingprobabilities for each. Find the mean, variance, andstandard deviation.

0.1

4

8 90.10 0.07

3

0.20.3

2

0.4

1

5 6 7

0.2 0.25 0.38

Number ofcommercials, X

Probability, P(X)

Probability, P(X)

Number oftelevisions, X

3 4

0.08 0.03

1 2

0.44 0.27

Number ofcards, (X) 0

Probability, P(X) 0.18

Ifyou were taking a survey on the programs that werewatched on television, how many program diaries wouldyou send to each household in the survey?

Number ofcustomers, X 50Probability, P(X) 0.10

51 520.20 0.37

53 54

0.21 0.12

Probability, P(X) 0.32 0.51 0.12 0.05

..-.-_ ...._-_~~~-~-

$35

$35

$35

$17

Red or black $1 0

Odd or even $1 00

1-18 $1 Any single number

19-36 $1 oor 00

©The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

If a person bets $1 on anyone of these before the ball isrolled, find the expected value for each.

a. Red d. Any sfugl~*ft1~:eb. Even (exclude 0 and 00) e. 0 or 06 '. ' .c. 0

*6-56. Construct a probability distribution for the sumshown on the faces when two dice are rolled. Findthemean, variance, and standard deviation of the distribution.

*6-57. When one die is rolled, the expected.~aiJe6f thenumber of spots is 3.5. In Exercise 6-56, the mean numberof spots was found for rolling two dice. What is the meannumber of spots if three dice are rolled?

*6-58. The formula for finding the variance for aprobability distribution is

a 2 = k [(X - p.,)2 •P(X)]

Verify algebraically that this formula gives the same resultas the shortcut formula shown in this section.

*6-59. Roll a die 100 times. Compute the mean andstandard deviation. How does the result compare with thetheoretical results of Example 6-5?

*6--60. Roll two dice 100 times and find the mean,variance, and standard deviation of the sum of the spots.Compare the result with the theoretical results obtained inExercise 6-56.

*6--61. Conduct a survey of the number of television setsin each .of your classmates' homes. Construct a probabilitydistribution and find the mean, variance, and standarddeviation.

*6--62. In a recent promotional campaign, a companyoffered the following prizes and the correspondingprobabilities. Find the expected value of winning. Thetickets are free.

6-55. A roulette wheel has 38 numbers: 1 through 36,0,and 00. Half of the numbers from 1 through 36 are redand half are black. A ball is rolled, and it falls into one ofthe 38 slots, giving a number and a color. Green is 'thecolor for 0 and 00. When a player wins, the player getshis dollar back in addition to the amount of the payoff. Thepayoffs for a $1 bet are as follows:

Section 6-3 Mean, Variance, and Expectation 223

Text

ll..

14 15 16

0.38 0.18 0.09

6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

,Sluman: ElamentaryStatistics: A Stap byStepApproach, Fourth Edition

Number ofstudents, X 12 13

Probability, P(X) 0.15 0.20

6-46. A florist determines the probabilities for thenumber of flower arrangements she delivers each day.Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation for thedistribution shown.

Number of" arrangements, X 6 7 8 9 10

PrObability, P(X) 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1

)6-47. The Lincoln Fire Department wishes to raise'$5000 to purchase some new equipment. They decide to, conduct a raffle. A cash prize of $5000 is to be awarded.,If,2500tickets are sold at $5.00 each, find the expectedvalue of the gain. Are they selling enough tickets to make

·;their goal?

'6-48. A box contains ten $1 bills, five $2 bills, three $5bills, one $10 bill, and one $100 bill. A person is charged$20 to select one bill. Find the expectation. Is the gamefliiJ.j?

\6-49. If a person rolls doubles when he tosses two dice, hewi:IJ.s $5. For the game to be fair, how much should the

,person pay to play the game?

§-50. If a player rolls two dice and gets a sum of 2 or 12,. shewins $20. If the person gets a 7, she wins $5. The cost;to play the game is $3. Find the expectation of the game.

\~51. A lottery offers one $1000 prize, one $500 prize, andfive $100 prizes. One thousand tickets are sold at $3 each.

'Pindthe expectation if a person buys one ticket.

,6-52. In Exercise 6-51, find the expectation if a personbuys two tickets. Assume that the player's ticket is replacedafter each draw and the same ticket can win more than oneprize.

,.6-53. For a daily lottery, a person selects a three-digit'n~ber. If the person plays for $1, she can win $500.Pin~the expectation. In the same daily lottery, if a person'box~s a number, she will win $80. Find the expectation if

e number 123 is played for $1 and boxed. (When aump.eris "boxed," it can win when the digits occur iny?rder.) ,

54. If a 60-year-old buys a $1000 life insurance policy ata cost of $60 and has a probability of 0.972 of living to age61, find the expectation of the policy.

6-45. The following distribution shows the number of..~ students enrolled in CPR classes offered by the local fire

department. Find the mean, variance, and standarddeviation for the distribution.

- e Bluman: ElementaryStatistics: A Step byStepApproach. Fourth Edition

6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

Text © The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

224 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions..,

Numberof Prizes Amount Probability

1 $100,0001

1,000,000

2 . $10,000 150,000

5 $1,0001

10,000

10 $1001

1,000

If the winner has to mail in the winning ticket to claim theprize, what will be the expectation if the cost of the stampis considered? Use the current cost of a stamp for a firstclass letter.

Many types of probability problems have only two outcomes, or they can be reduced totwo outcomes. For example, when a coin is tossed, it can land heads or tails. When ababy is born, it will be either male or female. In a basketball game, a team either winsor loses. A true-false item can be answered in only two ways, true or false. Other situa­tions can be reduced to two outcomes. For example, a medical treatment can be classi­fied as effective or ineffective, depending on the results. A person can be classified ashaving normal or abnormal blood pressure, depending on the measure of the blood pres­sure gauge. A multiple-choice question, even though there are four or five answerchoices, can be classified as correct or incorrect. Situations like these are called bino­mial experiments.

The BinomialDistribution~Djective 3. Find the exactprobability forXsuccesses Inntrials ofabinomialexperiment.

..

Solution

An explanation of why the formula works will be given following Example 6-15.

I;

,,"

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

Section 6-4 The Binomial Distribution 225

Text

A coin is tossed three times. Find the probability of getting exactly two heads.

The outcomes of abinomial experiment and the corresponding probabilities of these outcomes are called abinomial distribution.

A binomial experiment and its results give rise to a special probability distributioncalled the binomial distribution.

Abinomial experiment isaprobability experiment that satisfies the following four requirements:

1. Each trial can have only two outcomes or outcomes that can be reduced to two outcomes. These outcomes. can be considered as either success or failure.

2. There must be afixed number of trials.3. The outcomes of each trial must be independent of each other.4. The probability of asuccess must remain the same for each trial.

This problem can be solved by looking at the sample space. There are three ways to gettwo heads.

In binomial experiments, the outcomes are usually classified as successes or fail­ures. For example, the correct answer to a multiple-choice item can be classified as asuccess, but any of the other choices would be incorrect and hence classified as a fail­ure. The notation that is commonly used for binomial experiments and the binomial dis­tribution is defined next.

The probability of a success in a binomial experiment can be computed with thefollowing formula.

6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

. Bluman: ElementaryStatistics: AStep byStep

APproech. Fourth Edition

CD I 8luman: ElamantaryStatistics: AStapbyStapApproach. Fourth Edition

I 6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

I Taxt © The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

226 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions....

IffiH, IDIT,HTH,THH, TTII, THT, HIT, TIT,.

The answer is i, or 0.375.

. Looking at the problem in Example 6-15 from the standpoint of a binomial exper­iment, one can show that it meets the four requirements.

1. There are only two outcomes for each trial, heads or tails.

2. Thereis a fixed number of trials (three).

3. The outcomes are independent of each other (the outcome of one toss in no wayaffects the outcome of another toss).

4. The probability of a success (heads) is ~ in each case.

In this case, n = 3, X == 2, P == ~, ~d q == l Hence, substituting in the formula gives

3! (1)2(1)1 3P(2 heads) == (3 _ 2)!2!' "2 "2 ="8 = 0.375

which is the same answer obtained by using the sample space.The same example can be used to explain the formula. First, note that there are

three ways to get exactly two heads and one tail from a possible eight ways. They areHHT, HlH, and THH. In this case, then, the number of ways of obtaining two headsfrom three coin tosses is 3C2' or 3, as shown in Chapter 4. In general, the number ofways to get X successes from n trials without regard to order is

nlnCX = (n - X)IXl

~ xamp e6--~6

Example S--:17' '

l

This is the first part of the binomial formula. (Some calculators can be used for this.)Next, each success has a probability of ~, and can occur twice. Likewise, each fail­

ure has a probability of t and can occur once, giving the (~)2(W part of the formula. Togeneralize, then, each success has a probability of p and can occur X times, and eachfailure has a probability of q and can occur (n - X) times. Putting it all together yieldsthe binomial probability formula.

If a student randomly guesses at five multiple-choice questions, find the probability thatthe student gets exactly three correct. Each question has five possible choices.

Solution

In this case n = 5, X = 3, and p =!,since there is one chance in five of guessing a cor­rect answer. Then,

5! (1)3(4)2P(3) = (5 - 3)!3!' 5 5 = 0.05

A survey from Teenage Research Unlimited (Northbrook, Ill.) found that 30% ofteenage consumers receive their spending money from part-time jobs. If fiveteenagers are selected at random, find the probability that at least three of them will havepart-time jobs.

e© The McGraw-'HiII·Companies. 2001

Section 6-4 The Binomial Distribution 227

Text

Peat least three teenagers have part-time jobs)

=0.132 + 0.028 + 0.002 = 0.162

To find the probability that at least three have a part-time job, it is necessary to findthe individual probabilities for either 3, or 4, or 5, and then add them to get the totalprobability.

5'P(3) = (5 _ 3')1(3!) . (0.3)3(0.7)2 = 0.132

5'P(4) = (5 _ ;)1(4)1 . (0.3)4(0.7)1 = 0.028

5'P(5) = (5 _ 5')!(5)! . (0.3)5(0.7)0 = 0.002

Hence,

Computing probabilities using the binomial probability formula.7~!,~q11ite te-'dious at times, so tables have been developed for selected values ofnitrl<i!p:WliJ)!~i.I:}·in'Appendix C gives the probabilities for individual events. The next exampie~shows howto use Table B to compute probabilities for binomial experiments .

• II' II I ...................................................................................• • • • • • • • ~ .~~.~~.~~~.~_~~~•. ~~.•.~ •.• ,•.~~•••.•••. "." .

Solve the problem in Example 6-15 by using Table B.

Solution

Since n =3, X = 2, and p = 0.5, the value 0.375 is found as shown in Figln-e.6-3.

P~bli~··o;i~i~~..~~;~~~d··fu~~·5%··~f·A;~ri~;~·;~·;~d·~f·b ~b;~·~;~~: ·~·~·h~~~~..~~night. If a random sample of 20 Americans is selected, find these probabilities usmg the

binomial table:

a. There are exactly five people in the sample who are afraid of being alone at night.

Solution

Bluman: Elementary 6.DiscreteProbabilityStatistics:AStepbyStep DistributionsApproach, Fourth Edition

Using Table B forExample 6-18

Figure 6-3

I Bluman: ElementaryStatistics: AStepbyStepApproach, Fourth Edition

6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

I Text © The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

226 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

t...

HHH,HHT, HTH,THH, TIR, THT, HIT, TIT;,

, xamp e~16 .

.Example ~17

The answer is i.or 0.375.

Looking at the problem in Example 6-15 from the standpoint of a binomial exper­iment, one can show that it meets the four requirements.

1. There are only two outcomes for each trial, heads or tails.

2. There is a fixed number of trials (three).

3. The outcomes are independent of each other (the outcome of one toss in no wayaffects the outcome of another toss).

4. The probability of a success (heads) is ~ in each case.

In this case, n = 3, X = 2,P = t, and q = t. Hence, substituting in the formula gives

3! (1)2(1)1 3P(2heads) = (3 - 2)121' 2 2 ="8 =0.375

which is the same answer obtained by using the sample space.The same example can be used to explain the formula. First, note that there are

three ways to get exactly two heads and one tail from a possible eight ways. They areHHT, HTH, and THH. In this case, then, the number of ways of obtaining two headsfrom three coin tosses is 3C2' or 3, as shown in Chapter 4. In general, the number ofways to get X successes from n trials without regard to order is

n!nCX = (n - X)!Xl

This is the first part of the binomial formula. (Some calculators can be used for this.)Next, each success has a probability of t, and can occur twice. Likewise, each fail­

ure has a probability of ~ and can occur once, giving the (t)2ct)1 part of the formula. Togeneralize, then, each success has a probability of p and can occur X times, and eachfailure has a probability of q and can occur (n - X) times. Putting it all together yieldsthe binomial probability formula.

If a student randomly guesses at five multiple-choice questions, find the probability thatthe student gets exactly three correct. Each question has five possible choices.

Solution

In this case n = 5, X = 3, and p = !, since there is one chance in five of guessing a cor­rect answer. Then,

51 (1)3(4)2P(3) = (5 - 3)!3!' 5" 5" = 0.05

....................................................................................................................................................................................A survey from Teenage Research Unlimited (Northbrook, Ill.) found that 30% ofteenage consumers receive their spending money from part-time jobs. If fiveteenagers are selected at random, find the probability that at least three of them will havepart-time jobs.

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies, 2001

Section 6-4 The Binomial Distribution 227

Text

peat least three teenagers have part-time jobs)

= 0.132 + 0.028 + 0.002 = 0.162

To find the probability that at least three have a part-time job, it is necessary to findthe individual probabilities for either 3, or 4, or 5, and then add them to get the totalprobability.

5'P(3) = (5 _ 3')1(31) . (0.3)3(0.7)2 = 0.132

5'P(4) = (5 _ 4)1(4)1 . (0.3)4(0.7)1 = 0.028

5'P(5) = (5 _ 5')1(5)1 . (0.3)5(0.7)0 = 0.002

Hence,

Computing probabilities using the binomial probability formula can be quite te­dious at times, so tables have been developed for selected values of n and p. Table B'InAppendix C gives the probabilities for individual events. The next example shows howto use Table B to compute probabilities for binomial experiments.

Solve the problem in Example 6-15 by using Table B.

Solution

Since n =- 3, X = 2, and p = 0.5, the value 0.375 is found as shown in Figure 6-3.

Public Opinion reported that 5% of Americans are afraid of being alone in a house atnight. If a random sample of 20 Americans is selected, find these probabilities using thebinomial table:

a. There are exactly five people in the sample who are afraid of being alone at night.

...............................................................................................................................................................................

Solution

6.DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

• I

Bluman: ElementaryStatistics:AStepbyStepApproach. Fourth Edition

Figure 6-3Using Table B forExample 6-18

Source:100% American by DanielEvanWeiss(NewYork:PoseidonPress,1988).

228 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributionst..

b. There are at most three people in the sample who are afraid of being alone at night.

c. There are at least three people in the sample who are afraid of being alone at night.

© The McGrew-HiliCompanies, 2001

I TextI 6.DiscrBte ProbabilityDistributions

Solutiona. n = 20,p = 0.05, and X = 5. From the table, one gets 0.002.

b. n = 20 and p = 0.05. "At most three people" means 0, or 1, or 2, or 3.

Hence, the solution is

;,

e I Bluman: ElementaryStatistics:AStep byStepApproach. Fourth Edition

!EXample &-20 .

Objective 4. Find the mean,variance, and standarddeviation forthe variable ofabinomial distribution.

P(O) + PO) + P(2) + P(3) = 0.358 + 0.377 + 0.189 + 0.060

= 0.984

c. n = 20 and p = 0.05. "At least three people" means 3, 4, 5, ... ,20. This problemcan best be solved by fmding P(O) + P(l) + P(2) and subtracting from 1.

P(O) + P(l) + P(2) = 0.358 + 0.377 + 0.189 = 0.924

1 - 0.924 = 0.076

A report from the Secretary of Health and Human Services stated that 70% of single­vehicle traffic fatalities that occur at night on weekends involve an intoxicated driver. Ifa sample of is single-vehicle traffic fatalities that occur at night on a weekend is se­lected, find the probability that exactly 12 involve a driver who is intoxicated.

Source:100% American by DanielEvanWeiss(NewYork: PoseidonPress, 1988).

Solutionn = 15, P = 0.70, and X = 12. From Table B, P(12) = 0.170. Hence, the probabilityis 0.17.

Remember that in the use of the binomial distribution, the outcomes must be inde­pendent. For example, in the selection of components from a batch to be tested, eachcomponent must be replaced before the next one is selected. Otherwise, the outcomesare not independent. However, a dilemma arises because there is a chance that the samecomponent could be selected again. This situation can be avoided by not replacing thecomponent and using the hypergeometric distribution to calculate the probabilities. Thehypergeometric distribution is presented later in this chapter. Note that when the popu­lation is large and the sample is small, the binomial probabilities can be shown to benearly the same as the corresponding hypergeometric probabilities.

These formulas are algebraically equivalent to the formulas for the mean, variance,and standard deviation of the variables for probability distributions, but because they are

~-~----~-~-------------~-----

Source: 100% American by Daniel Evan Weiss (New York: Poseidon Press, 1988).

41

16

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

32616

1.1­16

Section 6-4 The Binomial Distribution 229

oProbability, P(X)

No. of beads, X

Text

Hence, the simplified binomial formulas give the same results.

Solution

With the formulas for the binomial distribution and n = 4, P = t, and q = t, the re­sults are

JL = E(X) = I X . P(X) = 0 . -k + 1 ·16 + 2 . f6 + 3 ·16 + 4 . -k = ~ = 2

0"2 =IX2· P(X) - JL2

= ()2 • k+ 12 ·16 + 22 • -& + 32 .16 + 42 • -k - 22 =~ - 4 = 1

u=y'I=l

From Example 6-21, when four coins are tossed many, many times, the average ofthe number of heads that appear is two, and the standard deviation of the number ofheads is one. Note that these are theoretical values.

As stated previously, this problem can be solved by using the expected value for­mulas. The distribution is shown as follows:

A coin is tossed four times. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of the num­ber of heads that will be obtained.

On average, there will be 80 twos. The standard deviation is 8.2.

JL=n·p=4·t=2

a2=n·p·q=4·t·!=1

0"=y'I=1

for variables of the binomial distribution, they have been simplified using algebra. Thealgebraic derivation is omitted here, but their equivalence is shown in the next example.

A die is rolled 480 times. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of the num­ber of 2 s that will be rolled.

Solution

n = 480, P = i. This is a binomial situation, where getting a 2 is a success and not get­ting a 2 is a failure; hence,

JL = n . p = 480 . (i) = 80

u 2 = n . p . q = 480 . (i) (i) = 66.7

a = "In' p . q = "166.7 = 8.2

The Statistical Bulletin published by Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. reported that 2%of all American births result in twins. Ifa random sample of 8000 births is taken, :findthemean, variance, and standard deviation of the number of births that would result in twins.

6.DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

EXample~21

Bluman: ElementaryStatistics:AStepbyStepApproach, Fourth Edition

fa I Bluman: ElementaryStatistics: AStep byStepApproach. Fourth Edition

6. Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

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Solution

230 Chapter6 Discrete Probability Distributions~

For Exercises 6-66 through 6-75, assume all variablesare binomial. (Note: H values are not found in Table B(Appendix C), use the binomial formula.)

6-66. A burglar alarm systemhas six fail-safe components.The probability of each failing is 0.05. Find theseprobabilities.a. Exactly three will fail.b. Fewer than two will fail.c. None will fail.d. Compare the answersfor parts a, b, and c, and explainwhy the results are reasonable.

6-67. A student takes a 10-question, true-false exam andguesses on each question.Find the probability of passing ifthe lowest passing grade is 6 correct out of 10.Based on your answer, would it be a good idea not to studyand depend on guessing?

6-68. If the quiz in Exercise 6-67 was a multiple-choicequiz with five choices for each question, find theprobability of guessing at least 6 correct out of 10.

6-69. In a survey,30% of the people interviewed said thatthey bought most of their books during the last threemonths of the year (October,November, December). Ifninepeople are selected at random, find the probability thatexactly three of these people bought most of their booksduring October, November,and December.

Source:USA Snapshot, USAToday, May 24, 1995.

6-70. In a Gallup Survey,90% of the peopleinterviewed were unaware that maintaining a healthyweight could reduce the risk of stroke. If 15 people areselected at random, find the probability that at least 9 areunaware that maintaining a proper weight could reduce therisk of stroke.Source:USA Snapshot, USAToday, June 24, 1995.

6-71. In a survey,three of four students said thecourts show "too much concern" for criminals. Find

This is a binomial situation, since a birth can result in either twins or not twins (i.e., twooutcomes).

JL = n . p = (8000)(0.02) = 160

(T2 = n . P . q = (8000)(0.02)(0.98) = 156.8

(T = \/n .p . q = \/156.8 =12.5

For the sample, the average number of births that would result in twins is 160, thevariance is 156.8, or 157, and the standard deviation is 12.5, or 13 if rounded.

,.

6-63. Which of the following are binomial experimentsorcan be reduced to binomial experiments?a. Surveying 100 people to determine if they like Sudsy

Soap.b. Tossinga coin 100 times to see how manyheads occur.c. Drawing a card from a deck and gettinga heart.d. Asking 1000people which brand of cigarettestheysmoke.e. Testingfour different brands of aspirinto see which

brands are effective.f. Testingone brand of aspirin using 10 peopleto

determinewhether it is effective.g. Asking 100people if they smoke.h. Checking 1000 applicants to see whetherthey were

admittedto White Oak College.i. Surveying 300 prisoners to see how many different

crimes they were convicted of.j. Surveying 300 prisoners to see whether this is their first

offense.

6-64. (ans) Compute the probability of X successes, usingTableB in Appendix C.a. n = 2,p = 0.30, X = 1b. n = 4,p = 0.60,X = 3c. n = 5,p = O.lO,X= 0d. n = 10,p =0.40, X = 4e. n = 12,p = 0.90, X = 2f. n = 15,p =0.80, X = 12g. n=17,p=0.05,X=0h. n = 20,p = 0.50, X = 10i. n = l6,p = 0.20, X = 3

6-65. Computethe probability of X successes, using thebinomialformula.a. n = 6, X = 3,p = 0.03b. n =4,X= 2,p = 0.18c. n=5,X=3,p=0.63d. n=9,X=0,p=0.42e. n = 1O,X= 5,p = 0.37

..

the probability that at most three out of seven randomlyselected students will agree with this statement.

Source:Harper's Index 290,no. 1739(April1995),p. 13.

6-72. It was found that 60% of American victims of healthcare fraud are senior citizens. If 10 victims are randomlyselected, find the probability that exactly 3 are seniorcitizens.

Source:100%Americanby DanielEvanWeiss(NewYork:PoseidonPress, 1988).

6-73. R. H. Bruskin Associates Market Research foundthat 40% of Americans do not think having a collegeeducation is important to succeed in the business world. If arandom sample of five Americans is selected, fmd theseprobabilities. .a. Exactly two people will agree with that statement.b. At most three people will agree with that statement.c. At least two people will agree with that statement.d. Fewer than three people will agree with that statement.

Source:100%Americanby DanielEvansWeiss (NewYork:PoseidonPress, 1988).

6-74. If 30% of the people in a community use the libraryin one year, find these probabilities for a sample of 15people:a. At most 7 used the library.b. Exactly 7 used the library.c. At least 5 used the library.

6-75. If 20% of the people in a community use theemergency room at a hospital in one year, fmd theseprobabilities for a sample of 10 people.a. At most three used the emergency room.b. Exactly three used the emergency room.c. At least five used the emergency room.

6-76. (ans) Find the mean, variance, and standarddeviation for each of the values of n and p when theconditions for the binomial distribution are met.a. n = loo,p = 0.75b. n = 3oo,p = 0.3c. n = 20, p = 0.5d. n = 10, p = 0.8e. n = l000,p = 0.1f n = 5oo,p = 0.25g. n = 50,p = ~

h. n = 36,p =!6-77. A study found that 1% of Social Security recipientsare too young to vote. If 800 Social Security recipients arerandomly selected, find the mean, variance, and standarddeviation of the number of recipients who are too youngto vote.

Source:Harper's Index 289,no. 1737(February 1995),p. 11.

6-78. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation forthe number of heads when 15 coins are tossed.

Statistics: AStepbyStepApproach. Fourth Edition

UISUIDLRIOnS

Section 6-4 The Binomial Distribution 231

6-79. If 2% of automobile carburetors are defective, findthe mean, variance, and standard deviation of a lot of 500carburetors.

6-80. It has been reported that 83% of federalgovernment employees use e-mail. If a sample of 200federal government employees is selected, find themean, variance, and standard deviation of the numberwho use e-mail.

Source: USAToday, June 14, 1995.

6-81. A survey found that 21% of Americans watchfireworks on television on July 4. Find the mean, variance,and standard deviation of the number of individuals whowatch fireworks on television on July 4 if a random sampleof 1000 Americans is selected.

Source:USASnapshot,USAToday, July 3-4,1995.

6-82. In a restaurant, a study found that 42% of all patronssmoked. If the seating capacity of the restaurant is 80people, find the mean, variance, and standard deviation ofthe number of smokers.About how many seats should be available for smokingcustomers?

6-83. A survey found that 25% of pet owners had theirpets bathed professionally rather than doing it themselves.If 18 pet owners are randomly selected, find the probabilitythat exactly five people have their pets bathedprofessionally.

Source:USA Snapshot, USAToday. June 15, 1995.

6-84. In a survey, 63% of Americans said they own ananswering machine. If 14 Americans are selected atrandom, find the probability that exactly 9 own ananswering machine.

Source:USA Snapshot, USAToday. May 22, 1995.

6-85. One out of every three Americans believes that theU.S. government should take ''primary responsibility" foreliminating poverty in the United States. If 10 Americansare selected, find the probability that at most 3 will believethat the U.S. government should take primary responsibilityfor eliminating poverty.

Source:Harper's Index 289,no. 1735 (December1994),p. 13.

6-86. In a survey, 58% of American adults said they hadnever heard of the Internet. If 20 American adults areselected at random, fmd the probability that exactly 12 willsay they have never heard of the Internet.

Source:Harper's Index 289,no. 1737 (February1995), p. 11.

6-87. In the past year, 13% of businesses have eliminatedjobs. If five businesses are selected at random, find theprobability that at least three have eliminated jobs duringthe last year.

Source: USAToday, June 15, 1995.

31 2

Number ofgirlso

0.125

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

0.375~:01l 0.250ea..

children. From this graph, construct a probabilitydistribution.

*6-91. Construct a binomial distribution graph forthe number of defective computer chips in a lot of five ifp=0.2.

Text6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

5. In the dialog box you must enter 5 items.a. Click the button for Probability.b. In the box for Number of trials enter 20, the value of n.c. Enter .05 the numerical Probability of success.

~~~-----.-----------~-~-~~---~-~-~--,

l\\)j[$l\nrnm~~a Bm$mii$l~DiisltriblJJJ!bii(DD11wb~e ~ifli1d1 Gl!l~jpJh

These instructions will show how MlNITAB computes binomial probabilities, using n = 20 andp = 0.05.

1. To enter the integers from 0 to 20 in C1 select Calc>Make Patterned Data>SimpleSet of Numbers.

2. You must enter 3 items:a. EnterXintheboxforStore patterned data in:.Minitabwillusethefirst

. empty column of the active worksheet and name it X. Press [TAS] .b. Enter the value of 0 for the first value. Press [TAS] .c. Enter 20 for the last value.

3. Click [OK].

4. Select Calc>Probability Distributions>Binomial.

Bluman: ElementaryStatistics:A Step byStepApproach. Fourth Edition

232 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

~8. Of graduating high school seniors, 14% said thattheir ,generation will be remembered for their socialconcerns. If seven graduating seniors are selected atrandom, find the probability that either two or three willagree with that statement.

Source: USA Today, June8, 1995.

~9. A survey found that 86% ofAmericans have neverbeen a victim of violent crime. If a sample of 12Americansis selected at random, find the probability that 10 or morehave never been victims of violent crime. Does it seemreasonable that 10 or more have never been victims ofviolent crime?

Source: Harper'sIndex290,no 1741(June1995),p. 11.

*6-90. The graph shown here represents the probabilitydistribution for the number of girls in a family of three

MINITABStep by Step

Binomial DistributionDialog Box

~ , • .,.~ •• < , u ',y., H .,. v•• , "v« H < " < ...

© The McGraw-HiliCompanias,2001

Section 6-4 The Binomial Distribution 233

Text

To fmd the probability for a binomial variable:

Example: n = 20 X = 5 P = 0.05

1. Press 2nd [DISTR] then 0 to get binompdf (.2. Enter 20, .05,5) then press ENTER.

The calculator will display .002244646.

Compare that result with that for Example 6-19 part a.To find the probability for several values of a binomial variable:

Example: n = 20 x = 0, 1, 2, 3 p = 0.05

1. Press 2nd [DISTR] °to get binompdf (.2. Enter 20, .05,{O, 1,2, 3}) then press ENTER.

ijru6!~F-d!f{2e·~····:~e5;,", '~" ·c,,·-::.·2.....·4··40:::4£

Ii \J::,litZJ..:Lo.A: -. -.. IJ.J'· .~

i ifliQift1P;d;.F't2JIht ., e5 t;'(:,. L.::i:. ))~ :3584 9·:224., a,

d. Check the button for Input columns. Click in the box and type the column name, X.e. Click in the box for Optional storage type Px. The first available column will be

named Px and the calculated probabilities will be stored in it.

6. Click [OK].

The results in the worksheet are shown.

6. DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

TI-83Step by Step

Bluman: ElementaryStatistics:AStepbyStepApproach, Fourth Edition

Worksheet

-I

L

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies, 2001

I TextI 6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

Recall that in order for an experiment to be binomial, two outcomes are requiredfor each trial. But if each trial in an experiment has more than two outcomes, a distribu­tion called the multinomial distribution must be used. For example, a survey mightrequire the responses of "approve," "disapprove," or "no opinion." In another situation,a person may have a choice of one of five activities for Friday night, such as amovie, dinner, baseball game, play, or party. Since these situations have more than.two possible outcomes for each trial, the binomial distribution cannot be used to com­pute probabilities.

The multinomial distribution can be used for such situations if the probabilities foreach trial remain constant and the outcomes are independent for a fixed number of trials.The events must also be mutually exclusive.

In addition to the binomial distribution, other types of distributions are used in statistics.Three of the most commonly used distributions are the multinomial distribution, thePoisson distribution, and the hypergeometric distribution. They are described in the fol­lowing subsections.

The MultinomialDistributionObjlllctive 5. Findprobabilities foroutcomes ofvariables using the Poisson,hypergeometric, andmultinomial distributions.

Other Types ofDistributions (Optional)

Compare with Example 6-19 part b.

234 Chapter 6 DiscreteProbability Distributions

o I 8luman: ElementaryStatistics: A Step bV StepApproach. Fourth Edition

r8luman: ElementaryStatistics: AStep byStepApproach. Fourth Edition

I 6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

I Text © The McGraw-HiliCompanies, 2001

IV

Section 6-5 OtherTypes of Distributions (Optional) 235

In a large city, 50% of the people choose a movie, 30% choose dinner and a play, and20% choose shopping as a leisure activity. If a sample of five people is randomly se­lected, find the probability that three are planning to go to a movie, one to a play, andone to a shopping mall.

Solution

n = 5, Xl = 3, Xz = 1, X3 = 1, PI = 0.50, Pi = 0.30, and P3 = 0.20. Substituting in theformula gives

51P(X) = 3! . 1; . I! . (0.50)3(0.30)1(0.20)1 = 0.15

Again, note that the multinomial distribution can be used even though replacementis not done, provided that the sample is small in comparison with the population.

In a music store, a manager found that the probabilities that a person buys zero, one, ortwo or more CDs are 0.3,0.6, and 0.1, respectively. If six customers enter the store, findthe probability that one won't buy any CDs, three will buy one CD, and two will buytwo or more CDs.

Solution

n = 6, Xl = 1,Xz = 3,X3 = 2,P1 = 0.3,pz = 0.6, and p, = 0.1. Then,

6'P(X) = I! 3; 2! . (0.3)1(0.6)3(0.I)Z

=60· (0.3)(0.216)(0.01) =0.03888

I . I

The PoissonDistribution

A box contains four white balls, three red balls, and three blue balls. A ball is selected atrandom, and its color is written down. It is replaced each time. Find the probability thatif five balls are selected, two are white, two are red, and one is blue.

Solution

n = 5, Xl = 2,Xz = 2,X3 = I;P1 = -to-,Pz = 10, andp, =10; hence,

51 (4)Z(3)Z(3)1 81P(X) = 2! 21 11' 10 10 10 = 625

Thus, the multinomial distribution is similar to the binomial distribution but has theadvantage of allowing one to compute probabilities when there are more than two out­comes for each trial in the experiment. That is, the multinomial distribution is a general ~

distribution, and the binomial distribution is a special case of the multinomial distribution.

A discrete probability distribution that is '~seful when n is large and p is small and whenthe independent variables occur over a period of time is called the Poisson distribution.In addition to being used for the stated conditions (i.e., n is large, P is small, and thevariables occur over a period of time), the Poisson distribution can be used when a den­sity of items is distributed over a given area or volume, such as the number of plantsgrowing per acre or the number of defects in a given length of videotape.

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

I Text6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

Round the answers to four decimal places.

Solution

First, find the mean number (..\) of errors. Since there are 200 errors distributed over 500pages, each page has an average of

200 2..\ = 500 = 5" = 0.4

or 0.4 error per page. Since X = 3, substituting into the formula yields

nlv.'..\) = e-A..\x = (2.7183)-0.4(0.4)3 = 00072,riA, Xl 3! .

If there are 200 typographical errors randomly distributed in a 500-page manuscript,find the probability that a given page contains exactly three errors.

Thus, there is less than a 1% probability that any given page will contain exactly threeerrors.

A sales firm receives, on the average, three calls per hour on its toll-free number. For'any given hour, find the probability that it will receive the following.

a. At most three calls b. At least three calls c. Five or more calls

Since the mathematics involved in computing Poisson probabilities is somewhatcomplicated, tables have been compiled for these probabilities. Table C in Appendix Cgives P for various values for ..\and X.

In Example 6-27, where X is 3 and ..\is 0.4, the table gives the value 0.0072 for theprobability. See Figure 6-4.

236 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributionst,

xamp e6--28

,Example 6--27

Using Table C

Figure 6-4

e I Oluman: ElamentaryStatistics;AStep byStepApproach. Fourth Edition

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8luman: Elementary 6.Discrete ProbabilityStatistics:AStepbV Step DistributionsApproach, Fourth Edition

Solution

Text © The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

Section 6-5 Other Types of Distributions (Optional) 237

-

The Hypergeometric .Distribution

n

I6__-

a. "At most three calls" means 0, 1, 2, or 3 calls. Hence,

P(O; 3) + P(I; 3) + P(2; 3) + P(3; 3)

= 0.0498 + 0.1494 + 0.2240 + 0.2240

= 0.6472

b. "At least three calls" means 3 or more calls. It is easier to find the probability of 0,1, and 2 calls and then subtract this answer from 1 to get the probability of at least3 calls.

P(O; 3) + P(I; 3) + P(2; 3) = 0.0498 + 0.1494 + 0.2240 = 0.4232

and

1 - 0.4232 = 0.5768

c. For the probability of five or more calls, it is easier to find the probability ofgetting 0, 1,2,3, or 4 calls and subtract this answer from 1. Hence,

P(O; 3) + P(I; 3) + P(2; 3) + P(3; 3) + P(4; 3)

= 0.0498 + 0.1494 + 0.2240 + 0.2240 + 0.1680

= 0.8152

and

1 - 0.8152 = 0.1848

Thus, for the events described, the part a event is most likely to occur and thepart c event is least likely to occur.

.............................................................................................................................................................................

The Poisson distribution can also be used to approximate the binomial distributionwhen the expected value, A = n . p, is less than 5, as shown in the next example. (Thesame is true when n . q < 5.)

..............................................................................................................................................................................If approximately 2% of the people in a room of 200 people are left-handed, find theprobability that exactly five people there are left-handed.

Solution

Since A = n . p, then A = (200)(0.02) = 4. Hence,

P(X; A) = (2.718:;-4(4)5 = 0.1563

which is verified by the formula 20(Ps(0.02)5(0.98)19S = 0.1579. The difference betweenthe two answers is based on the fact that the Poisson distribution is an approximationand rounding has been used ..............................................................................................................................................................................

When sampling is done without replacement, the binomial distribution does not give ex­act probabilities, since the trials are not independent. The smaller the size of the popu­lation, the less accurate the binomial probabilities will be.

Solution

© The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

Text6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

Assigning the values to the variables gives

a = 5 college graduates n = 3

b = 5 nongraduates X = 3

and n - X = O. Substituting in the formula gives

P(X) = sC3 • sCa = 10 =...!..lOC3 120 12

The basis of the formula is that there are aCX ways of selecting the first type ofitems, bCn-X ways of selecting the second type of items, and (a+b)Cn ways of selecting nitems from the entire population.

Ten people apply for a job as assistant manager of a restaurant. Five have completed col­lege and five have not. If the manager selects three applicants at random, find the prob­ability that all three are college graduates.

P(X) = 175 = 35495 99

The results of the problem can be generalized by using a special probability distri­bution called the hypergeometric distribution. The hypergeometric distribution is adistribution of a variable that has two outcomes when sampling is done without re­placement.

The probabilities for the hypergeometric distribution can be calculated by using theformula given next.

II..

.For example, suppose a committee of four people is to be selected from seven;, women and five men. What is the probability that the committee will consist of three

women and one man?To solve this problem, one must find the number of ways a committee of three

women and one man can be selected from seven women and five men. This answer canbe found by using combinations; it is

7C3 • SCI = 35 . 5 = 175

Next, find the total number of ways a committee of four people can be selectedfrom 12 people. Again, by the use of combinations, the answer is

I2C4 = 495

Finally, the probability of getting a committee of three women and one man fromseven women and five men is

238 Chapter 6 DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

e Bluman: ElemantaryStatistics:AStepbyStepApproach, Fourth Edition

II.I

I

B1uman: ElementaryStatistics: AStep byStepApproach, Fourth Edition

6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

Text © The McGraw-Hili eCompanies. 2001

Section 6-5 Other TYPes of Distributions (Optional) 239

A recent study found that four out of nine houses were underinsured. If five houses areselected from the nine houses, find the probability that exactly two are underinsured.

Solution

In this problem

a=4

Then,

b=5 n=5 X=2 n-X=3

EXample~2

In many situations where objects are manufactured and shipped to a company, thecompany selects a few items and tests them to see whether they are satisfactory or defec­tive. If a certain percentage is defective, the company then can refuse the whole shipment.This procedure saves the time and cost of testing every single item. In order to make thejudgment about whether to accept or reject the whole shipment based on a small sampleof tests, the company must know the probability of getting a specific number of defectiveitems. To calculate the probability, the company uses the hypergeometric distribution.

A lot of 12 compressor tanks is checked to see whether there are any defective tanks.Three tanks are checked for leaks. If one or more of the three is defective, the lot is re­jected. Find the probability that the lot will be rejected if there are actually three defec­tive tanks in the lot.

Solution

Since the lot is rejected if at least one tank is found to be defective, it is necessary to findthe probability that none are defective and subtract this probability from 1.

Here, a = 3, b = 9, n = 3, X = 0; so

Hence,

Peat least one defective) = 1 - P(no defectives) = 1 - 0.38 = 0.62

There is a 0.62, or 62%, probability that the lot will be rejected when three of the12 tanks are defective. .

A summary of the discrete distributions used in this chapter is shown in Table 6-1.f

6-95. The probabilities are 0.25, 0040, and 0.35 that an18-wheel truck will have no violations, 1 violation, or2 or more violations when it is given a safety inspection.

c. P(6; 3)b. P(2; 4)e. P(9; 8)

© The McGraw-HiliCompenies. 2001

6-99. Find each probability, P(X; A),using Table C inAppendixC.a. P(5; 4)d. P(lO; 7)

If eight trucks are inspected, find the probability that threewill have no violations, two will have 1 violation, and threewill have 2 or more Violations.

6-96. When a customer enters a pharmacy, the probabilitythat he or she will have 0, 1, 2, or 3 prescriptions filled are0.60,0.25,0.10, and 0.05, respectively. For a sample of sixpeople who enter the pharmacy, find the probability that twowill have no prescriptions, two will have 1 prescription, onewill have 2 prescriptions, and one will have 3 prescriptions.

6-97. A die is rolled four times. Find the probability of twoIs, one 2, and one 3.

6-98. According to Mendel's theory, if tall and colorfulplants are crossed with short and colorless plants, thecorresponding probabilities are ft, ii, ii, and k for tall andcolorful, tall and colorless, short and colorful, and short andcolorless, respectively. If eight plants are selected, find theprobability that one will be tall and colorful, three will betall and colorless, three will be short and colorful, and onewill be short and colorless.

Text6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

240 Chapter 6 Discrete Proq~bilityDistributions

6-92. What is the relationship between the multinomialdistribution and the binomial distribution?

6-93. Use the multinomial formula and find theprobabilities for each.a. n = 6, Xl = 3'X2 = 2,X3 = 1,PI = 0.5,P2= 0.3,

P3 = 0.2b. n = 5, Xl = 1,X2 = 2, X3 = 2,PI = 0.3,P2= 0.6,

P3 = 0.1c. n = 4, Xl = 1,X2= 1,X3 = 2,PI = 0.8,P2= 0.1,

P3 = 0.1d. n = 3, Xl = 1, X2 = 1, X3 = 1,PI = 0.5, P2 = 0.3,

P3 = 0.2e. n = 5, Xl = 1,X2= 3,X3 = 1,PI = 0.7,P2= 0.2,

P3 = 0.1

6-94. The probabilities that a textbook page will have0, 1,2, or 3 typographical errors are 0.79,0.12,0.07, and0.02, respectively. If eight pages are randomly selected,find the probability that four will contain no errors, twowill contain 1 error, one will contain 2 errors, and one willcontain 3 errors.

CD Bluman: ElementaryStatistics: AStep byStepApproach. Fourth Edition

6-105. A videotape has an average of one defect every1000 feet. Find the probability of at least one defect in 3000feet.

6-106. If3% of all cars fail the emissions inspection, findthe probability that in a sample of 90 cars, three will fail.Use the Poisson approximation.

6-100. If2% of the batteries manufactured by a companyare defective, find the probability that in a case of 144batteries, there are 3 defective ones.

6-101. A recent study of robberies for a certain geographicregion showed an average of one robbery per 20,000people. In a city of 80,000 people, fmd the probability ofthe following.a. No robberiesb. One robberyc. Tho robberiesd. Three or more robberies

6-102. In a 400-page manuscript, there are 200 randomlydistributed misprints. If a page is selected, find theprobability that it has one misprint.

6-103. A telephone-soliciting company obtains an averageof five orders per 1000 solicitations. If the companyreaches 250 potential customers, find the probability ofobtaining at least two orders.

6-104. A mail-order company receives an average of fiveorders per 500 solicitations. If it sends out 100advertisements, fmd the probability of receiving at leasttwo orders.

Section 6-6 Summary 241

'.,I © Ine MClJraW-nlll

Companies, 2001

6-107. The average number of phone inquiries per day atthe poison control center is four. Find the probability it willreceive five calls on a given day. Use the Poissonapproximation.

6-108. In a batch of 2000 calculators, there are, onaverage, eight defective ones. If a random sample of 150 isselected, find the probability of five defective ones.

6-109. In a camping club of 18 members, nine preferhoods and nine prefer hats and earmuffs. On a recent winterouting attended by six members, find the probability thatexactly three members wore earmuffs and hats.

6-110. A bookstore owner examines 5 books from each lotof 25 to check for missing pages. Ifhe finds at least 2books with missing pages, the entire lot is returned. If,indeed, there are 5 books with missing pages, find theprobability that the lot will be returned.

6-111. Shirts are packed at random in two sizes, regularand extra large. Four shirts are selected from a box of 24and checked for size. If there are 15 regular shirts in thebox, fmd the probability that all 4 will be regular size.

6-112. A shipment of 24 computer keyboards is rejected if4 are checked for defects and at least 1 is found to bedefective. Find the probability that the shipment will bereturned if there are actually 6 defective keyboards.

6-113. A shipment of 24 electric typewriters is rejected if 3are checked for defects and at least 1 is found to be defective.Find the probability that the shipment will be returned ifthere are actually 6 typewriters that are defective.

I Text6.Discrete ProbabilityDistributions

18luman:ElementaryStatistics: AStepbyStepApproach, Fourth Edition

Summary

Many variables have special probability distributions. This chapter presented several ofthe most common probability distributions, including the binomial distribution, themultinomial distribution, the Poisson distribution, and the hypergeometric distribution.

The binomial distribution is used when there are only two outcomes for an experi­ment, there is a fixed number of trials, the probability is the same for each trial, and theoutcomes are independent of each other. The multinomial distribution is an extension ofthe binomial distribution and is used when there are three or more outcomes for an ex­periment. The hypergeometric distribution is used when sampling is done without re­placement. Finally, the Poisson distribution is used in special cases when independentevents occur over a period of time, area, or volume.

A probability distribution can be graphed, and the mean, variance, and standard de­viation can be found. The mathematical expectation can also be calculated for a proba­bility distribution. Expectation is used in insurance and games of chance.:

binomialdistribution 225

binomialexperiment 225

expected value 220

hypergeometricdistribution 238

multinomialdistribution 234

Poisson distribution 235

probabilitydistribution 212

random variable 211

e I Bluman: ElementaryStatistics:AStep byStepApproach, Fourth Edition

6.DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

I Text © The McGraw-HiliCompanies, 2001

242 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

Formula for the mean of a probability distribution: Formulas for the variance and standard deviation of thebinomial distribution:

fL =!,X' P(X) u=Vn'p'q

Formula for the variance of a probability distribution: Formula for the multinomial distribution:

Formula for expected value:

E(X) = :l; X . P(X) Formula for the Poisson distribution:

Binomial probability formula:n'P(X) = . .pX . qn-X

(n -XlIX!

Formula for the mean of the binomial distribution:

4

4

0.02

0.12

2 3

2 3

0.31 0.25

0.10 0.08

0.05

0.300.45

0.12

0.08

Probability

o 10.30 0.50

o1

2

3

4

Numberof radios

6-120. A box contains five pennies, three dimes, onequarter, and one half-dollar. Construct a probabilitydistribution and draw a graph for the data.

6-121. At Tyler's Tie Shop, Tyler found the probabilitiesthat a customer will buy 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 ties, as shown.Construct a graph for the distribution.

Number ofties, X

e-AAX

P(X; A) =--xl where X =0, 1, 2, •••

Formula for the hypergeometric distribution:

P(X) = aCX • bCn-X

(g.+bPn

Probability, P(X)

Probability, P(X) 0.12 0.20

6-122. A bank has a drive-through service. The number ofcustomers arriving during a IS-minute period is distributedas shown. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviationfor the distribution.

Number ofcustomers, X 0 1

8 9 100.40 0.15 0.02

6 70.12 0.31

For Exercises 6-114 through 6-117, determine whetherthe distribution represents a probability distribution. Ifit does not, state why.

6-114. ~l 1 2 3 4 52- J. ~ fo toP(X) 10 10 10

6-115.

~5 10 15 20

0.5 0.3 0.1 0.4

6-116.

~100 200 300

0.3 0.3 0.1

6-117.

~I8 12 16 20

~ J. I J.12 12 12

6-119. A study was conducted to determine the number ofradios each household has. The data are shown here.Construct a probability distribution and draw a graph forthe data.

6-118. The number of rescue calls a helicopter ambulanceservice receives per 24-hour period is distributed as shownhere. Construct a graph for the data.

Number ofcalls,X

Probability, P(X)

.",--------------------

I..,© The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

Section 6-6 Summary 243

deviation of the number of students who pass the test in asample of 180 nursing students.

6-132. A club has 50 members. If there is a 10% absenteerate per meeting, find the mean, variance, and standarddeviation of the number of people who will be absent fromeach meeting.

6-133. The chance that a U.S. police chief believes thedeath penalty "significantly reduces the number ofhomicides" is one in four. If a random sample of eightpolice chiefs is selected, find the probability that at mostthree believe that the death penalty significantly reduces thenumber of homicides.

Source:Harper'sIndex 290,no. 1741 (June 1995),p. 11.

6-134. American Energy Review reported that 27% ofAmerican households burn wood. If a random sample of500American households is selected, find the mean,variance, and standard deviation of the number ofhouseholds that burn wood.

Source:100%Americanby DanielEvan Weiss (NewYork:PoseidonPress, 1988).

6-135. Three out of four American adults under 35 haveeaten pizza for breakfast. If a random sample of 20 adultsunder 35 is selected, find the probability that exactly 16have eaten pizza for breakfast.

Source:Harper'sIndex 290,no. 1738 (March 1995),p. 9.

6-136. One out of four Americans over 55 has eaten pizzafor breakfast. If a sample of 10Americans over 55 isselected at random, find the probability that at most threehave eaten pizza for breakfast.

Source:Harper'sIndex 290,no. 1738 (March 1995),p. 9.

6-137. (Opt.) The probabilities that a person will make 0,1, 2, or 3 errors on an insurance claim are 0.70, 0.20, 0.08,and 0.02, respectively. If 20 claims are selected, find theprobability that 12 will contain no errors, 4 will contain 1error, 3 will contain 2 errors, and 1 will contain 3 errors.

6-138. (Opt.) Before a VCR leaves the factory, it is given aquality control check. The probabilities that a VCR contains0, 1, or 2 defects are 0.90,0.06, and 0.04, respectively. In asample of 12recorders, find the probability that 8 have nodefects, 3 have 1 defect, and 1 has 2 defects.

6-139. (Opt.) In a Christmas display, the probability thatall lights are the same color is 0.50; that 2 colors are used is0.40; and that 3 or more colors are used is 0.10. If a sampleof 10 displays is selected, find the probability that 5 haveouly 1 color ciflight, 3 have 2 colors, and 2 have 3 or morecolors.

6-140. (Opt.) If 4% of the population carries a certaingenetic trait, find the probability that in a sample of 100people, there are exactly 8 people who have the trait.Assume the distribution is approximately Poisson.

5

12

0.12

0.06

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3 4

10 . 11

0.29 0.19

0.15 0.10

6.DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

6-123. At a small community library, the number ofvisitors per hour during the day has the distribution shown.Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation for the data.

Number of~UO",X 8 9Probability, P(X) 0.15 0.25

6-124. During a recent paint sale at Corner Hardware, thenumber of cans of paint purchased was distributed asshown. Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation ofthe distribution.

Number ofcans,X 1 2

Probability, P(X) 0.42 0.27

6-125. The number of inquiries received per day for acollege catalog is distributed as shown. Find the mean,variance, and standard deviation for the data.

Number ofinquiries, X 22 23 24 25 26 27Probability,P(X) 0.08 0.19 0.36 0.25 0.07 0.05

6-126. There are five envelopes in a box. One envelopecontains a penny, one a nickel, one a dime, one a quarter,and one a half-dollar. A person selects an envelope. Findthe expected value of the draw.

6-127. A person selects a card from a deck. If it is a redcard, he wins $1.If it is a black card between or including 2and 10, he wins $5.If it is a black face card, he wins $10,and if it is a black ace, he wins $100. Find the expectationof-the game. How much should a person bet if the game isto be fair?

6-128. If 30% of all commuters ride the train to work, findthe probability that if 10 workers are selected, 5 will ridethe train.

6-129. If 90% of all people between the ages of 30 and 50drive a car, find these probabilities for a sample of 20people in that age group.a. Exactly 20 drive a car.b. At least 15 drive a car.c. At most 15 drive a car.

6-130. If 10%of the people who are given a certain drugexperience dizziness, find these probabilities for a sampleof 15 people who take the drug.a. At least two people will become dizzy.b. Exactly three people will become dizzy.c. At most four people will become dizzy.

6-131. If75% of nursing students are able to pass a drugcalculation test, find the mean, variance, and standard

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6-141. (Opt.) Computer Help Hot Line receives, on theaverage, six cwlls per hour askingfor assistance.Thedistributionis Poisson. For any randomly selectedhour, findthe probability that the company will receive the following.a. At least six callsb. Four or more callsc. At most five calls

6-142. (Opt.) The number of boating accidents on LakeEmilie follows a Poisson distribution. The probability of anaccident is 0.003. If there are 1000 boats on the lake duringa summer month, fmd the probability that there will be six.accidents.

244 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributions

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6-143. (Opt.) If five cards are drawn from a deck, find theprobability that two will be hearts.

6-144. (Opt.) Of the 50 automobiles in a used-car lot, 10are white. If five automobiles are selected to be sold at anauction, find the probability that exactly two will be white.

6-145. (Opt.) A board of directors consists of seven menand five women. If a slate of three officers is selected, findthese probabilities.a. Exactly two are men.b. All three are women.c. Exactly two are women.

9. How many outcomes are there in a binomialexperiment?a.0b. 1c.2d. It varies.

10. The number of plants growing in a specific area can beapproximated by what distribution?a. Binomialb. Multinomialc. Hypergeometricd. Poisson

Select the best answer.

8. What is the sum of the probabilities of all outcomes ina probability distribution? "a.Ob. 1/2c. 1d. It cannot be determined.

iAre the Rockets Hitting the Targets? Revisited! In order to assess the accuracy of these bombs, London was divided up into 576 square1regions. Each region was t square kilometer in area. The distribution of hits was

Irecorded as fOll~:S: I 0 1 2 3 4 5 or more

I Regions 229 211 93 35 7 1

i With the Poisson distribution, the expected number of hits is

Bits 0 1 2 3 4 5 or more

Regions 227.3 211.3 98.3 30.5 7.1 1.6

It was determined that the bombs were falling at random, since the observed fre­quencies were very close to those expected using the Poisson distribution. This conclu­sion was later verified by military intelligence.

Determine whether each statement is true or false. If thestatement is false, explain why.

1. The expected value of a random variable can bethought of as a long-run average.

2. The number of courses a student is taking this semesteris an example of a continuous random variable.

3. When the multinomial distribution is used, theoutcomes must be dependent.

4. A binomial experiment has a fixed number of trials.

Complete the following statements with the best answer.

5. Random variable values are determined by " _

6. The mean for a binomial variable can be found byusing the formula .

7. One requirement for a probability distribution is thatthe sum of all the events in the sample space mustequal .

Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of thedistribution.

Construct a graph for the data.

16. A study was conducted to determine the number oftelephones each household has. The data are shownhere.

Companies, 2001

19. There are six playing cards placed face down in a box.'They are the 4 of diamonds, the 5 of hearts, the 2 ofclubs, the 10 of spades, the 3 of diamonds, and the 7 ofhearts. A person selects a card. Find the expected valueof the draw.

20. A person selects a card from an ordinary deck of cards.If it is a black card, she wins $2. If it is a red cardbetween or including 3 and 7, she wins $10. If it is ared face card, she wins $25, and if it is a black jack,she wins $100. Find the expectation of the game.

21. If40% of all commuters ride to work in carpools, findthe probability that if eight workers are selected, fivewill ride in carpools.

22. If 60% of all women are employed outside the home,fmd the probability that in a sample of 20 women,a. Exactly 15 are employed.b. At least 10 are employed.c. At most five are not employed outside the home.

23. If 80% of the applicants are able to pass a driver'sproficiency road test, find the mean, variance, andstandard deviation of the number of people who passthe test in a sample of 300 applicants.

24. A history class has 75 members. If there is a 12%absentee rate per class meeting, fwd the mean,variance, and standard deviation of the number ofstudents who will be absent from each class.

25. The probability that a person will make zero, one, two,or three errors on his or her income tax return is 0.50,0.30, 0.15, and 0.05, respectively. If 30 claims areselected, find the probability that 15 will contain noerrors, 8 will contain one error, 5 will contain twoerrors, and 2 will contain three errors.

26. Before a television set leaves the factory, it is given aquality control check. The probability that a televisioncontains zero, one, or two defects is 0.88, 0.08, and0.04, respectively. In a sample of 16 televisions, findthe probability that 9 will have no defects, 4 will haveone defect, and 3 will have two defects.

27. Among the teams in a bowling league, the probabilitythat the uniforms are all one color is 0,45, that twocolors are used is 0.35, and that three or more colorsare used is 0.20. If a sample of 12 uniforms is selected,find the probability that 5 contain only one color, 4contain two colors, and 3 contain three or more colors.

28. If 8% of the population of trees are elm trees, find theprobability that in a sample of 100 trees, there areexactly six elm trees. Assume the distribution isapproximately Poisson.

29. Sports Scores Hot Line receives, on the average, eightcalls per hour requesting the latest sports scores. The

Section 6-6 Summary 245

9

4

34

0.10

0.09

0.11

15

0.02

~7

8

5

3

I Text

33

0.21

0.27

0.25

~7

4

12

0.08

7

2

32

2

30

48

13

7

0.09

0.31

0.38

32'7

Frequency

9

0.1

2'7

2

6

0.5

5 6

o 1

30 31

0.28 0.32

0.10 0.23

0.05 0.21

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34

Number oftelephones ,

13.

~50 75 100

0.5 0.2 0.3

14. X 4 8 12 16

P(X) 1 l... 1 1"6 12 7: 12

For questions 11through 14, determine if thedistribution represents a probability distribution. Ifnot,state why.

u, ~f--:-~---:----:----::----::-

12. X __~f-_3=---_~_~_~ _

:P(X)l 0.3

15. The number of fire calls the Conestoga Valley FireCompany receives per day is distributed as follows:

Construct a probability distribution and draw a graphfor the data.

17. During a recent cassette sale at Matt's Music Store, thenumber of tapes customers purchased was distributedas follows:

Number X

Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of thedistribution.

18. The number of calls received per day at a crisis hot lineis distributed as follows:

Probability P(X)

Number X

Probability P(X)

Probability P(X)

Number X

rBluman: Elementary 6.Discrete ProbabilityStatistics: AStepbV Step Distributions

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6. DiscreteProbabilityDistributions

Text ©The McGraw-HiliCompanies. 2001

246 Chapter 6 Discrete Probability Distributionslr.

distribution is Poisson in nature. For any randomlyselected hour, find the probability that the companywill receivea. At least eight callsb. Three or more callsc. At most seven calls

30. There are 48 raincoats for sale at a local men's clothingstore. Twelve are black. If six raincoats are selected to

1. Pennsylvania has a lottery entitled "Big 4." In order towin, a player must correctly match four digits from adaily lottery in which four digits are selected. Find theprobability of winning.

2. In the Big 4 lottery, for a bet of $100, the payoff is$5000. What is the expected value of winning? Is itworth it?

3. If you played the same 4 digit number every day (or anyfour digit number for that matter) in the Big 4, howoften (in years) would you win, assuming you haveaverage luck?

Probability Distributions Roll three dice 100 times,recording the sum of the spots on the faces as you roll.Then find the average of the spots. How close is this to the

be marked down, find the probability that exactly threewill be black.

31. A youth group has eight boys and six girls. If a slate offour officers is selected, find the probability thatexactlya. Three are girlsb. Two are girlsc. Four are boys

4. In the game "Chuck-a-Luck," three dice are rolled. Aplayer bets a certain amount (say $1.00) on a numberfrom one to six. If the number appears on one die, theperson wins $1.00. If it appears on two dice, the personwins $2.00, and if it appears on all three dice, the personwins $3.00. What are the chances of winning $1.00?$2.00? $3.00?

5. What is the expected value of the game of "Chuck-a­Luck" if a player bets $1.00 on one number?

theoretical average? Refer to Exercise 6-57 on page 223 inthe textbook.