Continuous Random Variables (Edexcel International A Level Maths: Statistics 2): Exam Questions

State, with a reason, whether each of the following could be graphs of probability density functions.

This is a semicircle.

State, with a reason, whether the following functions could represent probability distribution functions.

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

The continuous random variable, , has probability density function

Show that 

(i) Find

(ii) Find  

The continuous random variable  has probability density function

Show that 

Find 

Find 

Find the mode of the continuous random variable, , which has probability density function defined by:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

The continuous random variable  has probability density function

Find an expression, in terms of , for

Hence find the median of .

The continuous random variable  follows a continuous uniform distribution over the interval  so that its probability density function is

Find

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(i) Write down .

(ii) Find .

May calls her nephew Peter each day to check on him. May enjoys talking so much so that Peter has programmed his phone to disconnect from a call after 15 minutes. The length of a call, in minutes, between May and Peter is denoted by the continuous random variable . It is modelled by the probability density function

Find the mean length of a call.

Find the standard deviation of the lengths of calls.

Find the probability that a random call between May and Peter will last longer than 10 minutes.

Out of the next 100 calls between May and Peter, estimate the number of them that will last less than 10 minutes.

The mass, in kilograms, of a wrestler in a local club is denoted by the continuous random variable . It is modelled by the probability density function

Show that 

Wrestlers who weigh less than 85 kg can enter Heavy Middleweight competitions.

Find the probability that a randomly selected wrestler can enter Heavy Middleweight competition.

Wrestlers who weigh less than 80 kg can enter Middleweight competitions.

Given that a wrestler can enter Heavy Middleweight competitions, find the probability that they can also enter Middleweight competitions.

The continuous random variable  has probability density function  given by

Find the value of 

Find 

Show that .

State, with a reason, whether the following functions could represent probability distribution functions.

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

The continuous random variable  has probability density function

Find the exact value for .

Find 

Harry is trying to draw specific lengths without measuring equipment. He draws a straight line and stops when he thinks it is 10 cm long. The actual length of Harry’s line,  cm, can be modelled by the probability density function

Estimate the lower quartile of the lengths of Harry’s lines.

Harry tries to draw a 10 cm line 80 times.

Write down how many of Harry’s lines you would expect to be less than the lower quartile.

The diagram below shows the probability density function, , of a random variable . when , otherwise 

Write down an expression for   in terms of .

Write down an expression for  in terms of .

Find a simplified expression for  in terms of .

Given thatfind the value of .

Find the mode of the continuous random variable, , which has probability density function defined by:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

The diagram below shows the probability density function, , of a random variable .

Find the value of .

Find 

Find the median of .

The diagram below shows the probability density function, , of a random variable .

For elsewhere .

Find the values of  and .

State the value of  and find .

Find .

Given that  find 

Geoff is taking part in a quiz where he has 4 seconds to answer each question. The time, in seconds, it takes Geoff to answer a question is denoted  which can be modelled by the probability density function,  shown below.

Find the probability that Geoff answers a question in less than 2 seconds.

Find the mean time it takes Geoff to answer a question.

There are 10 questions in the quiz. Find the probability that for at least one of the questions Geoff takes longer than 3 seconds.

The diagram below shows the probability density function, , of a random variable .

Find the value of .

Find 

Find the interquartile range of .

A computer takes  seconds to start up. The random variable, , can be modelled by the probability distribution, , shown below.

For elsewhere .

Find the values of  and .

State the mean time for the computer to start up.

Find probability that the computer takes between 6 and 15 seconds to start up.

Given that  find the exact value of .

The diagram below shows the probability density function, , of a random variable .

Find the value of .

Find 

Find the median of .

Find 

The random variable, , follows a continuous uniform distribution on the interval . The probability density function  is defined by:

(i) Write down an expression for  in terms of  and .

(ii) Write down an expression for  in terms of  and .

(iii) Show that  .

Given that and , find the values of  and .

A meeting at a company lasts  hours. The random variable  can be modelled by the probability density function

Find the mean time of a meeting and find the standard deviation of times.

Show that the median length of a meeting is 0.771 hours, correct to 3 significant figures.

By using differentiation, find the mode of the times.

The continuous random variable  has probability density function

Show that 

Given that  show that  and hence find the value of .

Find the exact value of .

Paul is travelling around France to try to find the perfect baguette. The random variable  represents the cost, in euros, of a baguette. It can be modelled by the probability density function

Sketch the graph of 

Explain why the mean price of a baguette is €7.

Given that  find the value of 

The continuous random variable  has probability density function  given by

where  is a constant.

Find the exact value of .

Find 

Find .