Topic 1: Data Interpretation

Data types, its collection, display and regarding

information:
Data and its types are represented in the following flow chart.

Data:
The information collected from different observations/survey is called data. It is of two types,

i. Qualitative data:
Data of observations without numerical values .For example color, taste, etc. the mean and
median of this type of data cannot be calculated. Only the mode is way of its measurement of
central tendency.
ii. Quantitative data:
Data of observations with numerical values is said to be quantitative data for example marks of
students, height of trees, lengths of different wires etc.
iii. Discrete data: A data with observation in whole numbers .For example number of students in
class which cannot be decimals, number of plants in the garden, number of chairs in hall etc.
iv. Continuous data:
A data which is given in the form of range of values.A person's height could be any value (within
the range of human heights), not just certain fixed heights,
(a)A dog's weight,
(b)The length of a leaf,
(c)Time in a race, you could even measure it to fractions of a second,
Collection of data:
There are three methods for collection of data.
a) By naming the article
b) By pictogram (drawing the pictures)
c) Tally mark
Tally mark method is the easiest and quickest method for collection of data.

In order to have a survey that which vehicle is popular in Islamabad, let 10 minutes are given to
do this survey at a busy road.
The data was collected in three different forms as:
i. By naming the articles:
Toyota, Suzuki, Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Suzuki, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi
ii. By pictogram :
In this method, pictures are drawn for different vehicles. It is the worst method as it takes time
and also may be in last minute, half of a vehicle is drawn.
iii. By Tally mark: The best and accurate to collect the data as fallows. For each one line will be
drawn and after 4 lines, for fifth cross line will be drawn to easily make a table of 5.
S. No Name of vehicle Tally mark Total
1 Toyota IIII IIII 9
2 Suzuki IIII IIII II 12
3 Honda IIII I 6
4 Mitsubishi III 3

Data is represented by three methods.

The above data for vehicles can be used as for the display for these methods.

Representation of data:
Data can be represented by two methods.
a) Pie chart (pie chart is only drawn for that data in which angles are calculated in integers but not
in decimal or fractional numbers.)
b) Histogram (histogram is of two types. One is horizontal and other is vertical)
i. Pie –chart:
Pie-chart is drawn in terms of angles in a circle showing different sectors according to respective
values.

Statistics for A-Levels

 9
Toyota= ×360=¿1080
30
12
Suzuki= ×360=¿1440
30
6
Honda= ×360=720
30

3
Mitsubishi= ×360=360 figure is not drawn on scale
30

Vertical bar:
On x-axis, vehicles and on y-axis, number of vehicles will be drawn.

Red, violet, black and green represents Toyota, Suzuki, Honda and Mitsubishi respectively.

ii. Horizontal bar:

On y-axis, vehicles and on x-axis, number of vehicles will be drawn.

Red, violet, black and green represents Toyota, Suzuki, Honda and Mitsubishi respectively.

Distribution of grouped data is of two types.

Key points for histogram:

 For discrete data, the observation is written in center of bar.

Statistics for A-Levels

 The width of bar will be kept same for each discrete observation or for equal intervals.
 For continuous intervals, if upper value of previous interval is same as the lower value of the
next interval, then boundaries are not required.
 For continuous intervals, if upper value of previous interval is different as the lower value of the
next interval, then boundaries are required. The formula for calculating boundary is
(lower value ofnext interval)−(upper value of previous interv)
2
This value is added in each upper value and is subtracted from each lower value so that the gap
between the bars can be eliminated.
 If for last interval, upper value is not given (word over is used) then take twice the width of
previous interval and add this value to the lower interval value which will become to the upper
interval of last value.
 Unequal intervals
In unequal class intervals, mode is calculated by using frequency density which is given by
frequency of interval
Frequency density =
class width

Equal intervals: (without boundaries)

If the observation of data has equal width between the values then this data is said to be equal
distribution and boundaries are not required for the representation of histogram (when there is
no gap between the bars).

Example:
Marks in test Frequency(f) Mid value of marks Fx
0¿ marks ≤ 10 5 5 25
10<marks ≤ 20 9 15 135
20<marks ≤ 30 13 25 325
30<marks ≤ 40 15 35 525
40<marks ≤ 50 21 45 945
50<marks ≤ 60 14 55 770
60<marks ≤ 70 12 65 780
70<marks ≤ 80 6 75 450
∑ f =95 ∑ fx=3955
Mean=
∑ fx = 3955 =41.632
∑ f 95
Modal class:
40<marks ≤ 50
Estimated median= 45, as 95 is odd number and middle position lies at 48 th position which is
the interval 40<marks ≤ 50 and its mid value is 45. The statistical formula is not a part of our
syllabus.
For Histogram, each interval has an equal width as the data is of equal width (upper value –
lower value) of each interval.
Scale:
Each square on x-axis represents10 marks and on y-axis 2 frequencies(students)

Statistics for A-Levels

Equal intervals: (with boundaries)
If the observation of data has equal width between the values then this data is said to be equal
distribution but upper is different from next lower then boundaries are required for the
representation of histogram (when there is no gap between the bars).
For boundary, take any two consecutive intervals.
Next interval lower value− previous interval upper value
Boundary =
2
From every interval, boundary value will be subtracted from lower intervals and added to the
upper values.

Example:
Marks in test F boundaries Mid value Fx
of marks(x)
1≤ marks ≤10 5 0.5-10.5 5.5 27.5
11≤ marks ≤ 20 9 10.5-20.5 15.5 139.5
21≤ marks ≤30 13 20.5-30.5 25.5 331.5
31≤ marks ≤ 40 15 30.5-40.5 35.5 532.5
41≤ marks ≤50 21 40.5-50.5 45.5 955.5
51≤ marks ≤ 60 14 50.5-60.5 55.5 777
61≤ marks ≤70 12 60.5-70.5 65.5 786
71≤ marks ≤ 80 6 70.5-80.5 75.5 453
∑ f =95 ∑ fx=4002.6
For Histogram, each interval has an equal width as the data is of equal width (upper value –
lower value) of each interval.

When histogram will be drawn then with boundaries, the upper and lower intervals have now no
gap between them. Whereas without boundaries, there must be gap so it will not be histogram
where as simple vertical bar chart.

Scale:

Each square on x-axis represents10 marks and on y-axis 2 frequencies (students)

Statistics for A-Levels

 Unequal distribution (without boundaries):
a) Using standard bar method:
In standard bar method, one integer is selected which is taken as standard and the other class width are
divided by that standard to get number of standards.
frequency
Height=
number ofstandards
b) Using frequency density method:
frequency
Frequency density =
class width

Marks Frequency Class No. of standards, Height Frequency density

’f’ width 5marks=1standard
0< x ≤5 5 5 5÷ 5=1 5÷ 1=5 5÷ 5=1
5< x ≤ 15 14 10 10÷ 5=2 14÷ 2=7 14÷ 10=1.4
15< x ≤30 24 15 15÷ 5=3 24÷ 3=8 24÷ 15=1.6
30¿ x ≤ 35 9 5 5÷ 5=1 9÷ 1=9 9÷ 5=1.8
35< x ≤ 45 14 10 10÷ 5=2 14÷ 2=7 14÷ 10=1.4
45< x ≤ 55 16 10 10÷ 5=2 16÷ 2=8 16÷ 10=1.6
55< x ≤75 20 20 20÷ 5=4 20÷ 4=5 20÷ 20=1
75< x ≤ 80 11 5 5÷ 5=1 11÷ 1=11 11÷ 5=2.2
80< x ≤ 95 15 15 15÷ 5=3 15÷ 3=5 15÷ 15=1
95< x ≤ 100 6 5 5÷ 5=1 6÷ 1=6 6÷ 5=1.2

Note:
In unequal distribution, the interval which has maximum frequency density is the modal class.
In the above example, 75< x ≤ 80 is the modal class.

Histogram with standard bar method:

For histogram, marks (in standard bars) on x-axis will be represented against height on y-axis.

Scale:

1 standard bar=1box on x-axis, 1 unit height=1 box on y-axis

Statistics for A-Levels

Histogram with frequency density method:
frequency
Using frequency density method: Frequency density=
class width
Scale: Scale:
1 box= 5marks on x-axis, 1 box=0.2 unit on y-axis
On x-axis, marks will be represented and on y-axis, height will be represented.

Unequal distribution with boundaries:

Marks Frequenc Class No. of standards, Height Frequency
y ’f’ width 5marks=1standard density
1 ≤ x ≤5 5 5 5÷ 5=1 5÷ 1=5 5÷ 5=1
6≤ x ≤ 15 14 10 10÷ 5=2 14÷ 2=7 14÷ 10=1.4
16 ≤ x ≤ 30 24 15 15÷ 5=3 24÷ 3=8 24÷ 15=1.6
31 ≤ x ≤35 9 5 5÷ 5=1 9÷ 1=9 9÷ 5=1.8
36 ≤ x ≤ 45 14 10 10÷ 5=2 14÷ 2=7 14÷ 10=1.4
46 ≤ x ≤ 55 16 10 10÷ 5=2 16÷ 2=8 16÷ 10=1.6
56 x ≤ 75 20 20 20÷ 5=4 20÷ 4=5 20÷ 20=1
76≤ x ≤ 80 11 5 5÷ 5=1 11÷ 1=11 11÷ 5=2.2
81≤ x ≤ 95 15 15 15÷ 5=3 15÷ 3=5 15÷ 15=1
96≤ x ≤ 100 6 5 5÷ 5=1 6÷ 1=6 6÷ 5=1.2
Scale:
1 box= 5marks on x-axis, 1 box=0.2 unit on y-axis

Statistics for A-Levels

 Frequency polygon:
Frequency polygon is obtained by joining the mid points of equal or unequal intervals with
straight lines.
 If the first interval has lower interval zero then its mid-point is joined with it by a straight line.
 Find the difference between mid-pint of last interval from upper value of that interval and then
add this value the upper value of last interval and then join it with the mid-point of last interval.

Cumulative Frequency curve (C.F)

The cumulative frequencies mean adding up the previous frequencies in sequence order. Write
the frequency of first interval as it is in front of its column and then for the second interval, add
the frequency of first in it and write in its respective column. For the third interval, add the sum
of previous two intervals in its frequency and write in its respective column and so on keep on
adding till the last interval.
Marks Frequenc C.F
y
0≤ x ≤ 10 4 4
11≤ x ≤ 20 6 4+6=10
21≤ x ≤ 30 10 10+10=20
31≤ x ≤ 40 14 20+14=34
41≤ x ≤ 50 22 34+22=56
51≤ x ≤ 60 14 56+14=70
61≤ x ≤ 70 6 70+6=76
71≤ x ≤ 80 4 76+4=80

Statistics for A-Levels

 Note:
The last C.F must be same as the sum of individual frequencies.
The cumulative frequency curve is drawn to evaluate ‘Quartiles, Deciles and Percentiles’ of the
curve.

Lower Quartile:
( ) ×C.F
th
1
Q1 = the observation which lies at one fourth of Cumulative frequency=
4

Upper Quartile:
( ) ×C.F
th
3
Q3 = the observation which lies at three fourth of Cumulative frequency=
4

Median:
Q2 = the observation which lies at half of Cumulative frequency= ( 12 ) ×C . F
Inter Quartile Range = Q3-Q1

Deciles:
1 th
When data is divided into ten (10) equal parts. It is denoted as D 1, D2. D1 =( ) xC . F
10

Percentile:
When data is divided into hundred (100) equal parts. It is denoted by P 1, P2,

90th percentile = ( 100

90
) xC . F
Example:
For the above cumulative frequency data, calculate
i. Inter quartile range
ii. Median
Solution:

For above information, cumulative curve will be drawn in which marks are taken on x-axis and
C.F on y-axis.

Note:
The curve will start from the lower value of first interval i.e. zero and will end at the highest
value of the upper value of last interval.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Marks Q1 Q2 Q3

i. Lower Quartile:

( ) × 80=¿ 20
th
1 th
Q1=The observation which lies at one fourth of Cumulative frequency= position
4
of C.F= 30 marks
ii. Upper Quartile:

( ) × 80=60
th
3 th
Q3= The observation which lies at three fourth of Cumulative frequency= position
4
of C.F= 50 marks

Inter Quartile Range = Q3-Q1= 50-30=20 marks

iii. Median:

Q2=the observation which lies at half of Cumulative frequency= ( 12 ) ×80 = 40 th

position of C.F⇒

45 marks

Median:
The middle of observation when data is set in ascending or descending order.
Let ∑ f =n (the total number of observation)
( n+1 )th
If n= odd number then median will lie at position.
2

() ( )
th th
n n
+ +1
If n= even number then median will lie at 2 2
2

Example #01:
The marks are 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9
Solution:

Statistics for A-Levels

 The total observations are odd in numbers which is 13 so median lies at ( 2 )
13+1 th th
=7 which is 6.

Example #02:
The marks are 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23
Solution:
The total observations are even in numbers which is 8 so median lies at

() ( )
8 th 8 th
+ +1
2 2 4 th+5 th 15+17 which is median.
= = =16
2 2 2

Box and Wisker:

a) write (Pick) the lowest value and the highest value

Range = Highest value – Lowest value

b) Calculate Q1 ,Q2 , Q 3
i. If Q 2−Q1=Q3−Q2then it is said to be symmetric data.

ii. IfQ2−Q 1 >Q 3−Q 2then it is said to be Negative skew.

iii. IfQ2−Q 1 <Q 3−Q 2then it is said to be Positive skew.

c) Outlier:
An outlier is any value that lies more than one and a half times the length of the box from either
end of the box. That is, if a data point is below

Q1 – 1.5 × IQR or aboveQ3 +1.5 × IQR ,where IQR=Q3 −Q1

Stem –Leaf
In this method, quantitative data is first written as randomly in the order as being
inquired. This is said to be scattered data. This is then written in the shortest form by
taking unit digit or tens digits etc. as stem and the next digit of the numbers are written
as leaf. The numbers in leaf are written in ascending order. This stem and leaf data
makes easier to calculate median, interquartile rang and drawing the box – wisker
diagram and is also used for the comparison between two different samples (marks
distribution of boys and girls, Food analysis of two different samples) when data is
written in stem and leaf form then key must be mentioned to read the data.

Example # 01
Marks of students 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 21, 24
Statistics for A-Levels
 Stem Leaf
1 1 3 5 7 9
2 1 3 4
Key: 1/1 means 11, 2/3 means 23
Example # 02
Length of the plants measured in meters 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4,
Stem Leaf
1 1 3 5 7 9
2 1 3 4
Key: 1/1 means 1.1, 1/9 means 1.9
Example # 04
The marks of students in math test for 31 students are given below.
25 28 19 18 12 40 43 45 32
36 39 14 44 31 17 21 19 23
46 49 11 29 14 41 37 35 38
44 30 18 13

Stem Leaf
1 1 2 3 4 7 8 8 9 9 (9)
2 1 3 5 7 8 9 (6)
3 0 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 (8)
4 0 1 3 4 4 5 6 9 (8)
Key 1/1 = 11
As sum of frequencies = 31
th
1 ( th
So, Q1 = lower quartile = 31+1 ) =8 position which is 9
4
1 th
Q2 = median = ( 31+1 )=16 position which is 30
2
th
3 ( th
Q3 = upper quartile = 31+1 ) =24 position which is 40
4
IQR = inter quartile range = Q3 – Q1 = 40 – 9 = 31
Q2 – Q1 = 30-9 =21
Q3 – Q2 = 40-30 = 10
As Q2 – Q1 > Q3 – Q2 so it is negative skew
The manager of a company noted the times spent in 80 meetings. The results were as follows.

Time (tminutes) 0<t ≤15 15<t ≤ 30 30<t ≤60 60<t ≤90 90< t ≤120

Number of meetings 4 7 24 38 7

Draw a cumulative frequency graph and use this to estimate the median time and the
interquartile range.
Answer: Graph.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Topic #02 Measurement of central tendency:
In this topic, we will measure ‘mean’, ‘mode’, ‘median’, ‘variance’ and ‘standard deviation’ for
grouped and ungrouped data.

Central tendency is measured by three methods.

i. Mean:
The average of observation is called mean.

Mean¿
∑ of observation =
∑x
total number of observation n

Mean (grouped data) =

∑ fx , where x is observation and f is number of that observation.
∑f
[Link]:
The most frequent observation in data.

[Link]:
The middle of observation when data is set in ascending or descending order.
Let ∑ f = n (the total number of observation)
( n+1 )th
If n = odd number then median will lie at position.
2

() ( )
n th n th
+ +1
If n = even number then median will lie at 2 2
2
Example:
i. The marks in 5 tests are 7, 11, 9, 12, 11 calculate mean?
ii. The lengths of leaves are 2, 2, 4, 5, 6, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 4, 4, 8 calculate mode?
iii. The marks are 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9

Solution:

7+11+9+12+11 50
i. Mean = = =10
5 5
ii. The maximum observation is 4 so mode is 4.

( )
th
13+1 th
iii. The total observation is odd which are 13 so median lies at =7 which is 6.
2
Statistics for A-Levels
 Conditional Mean, Mode and Median:
Example:
Marks(x) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Students 3 5 6 7 M 5 4
Calculate
I. ‘m’ if mean is 4.5
II. range of ‘m’ if mode is 4
III. range of ‘m’ if median is 4
Solution:

i. Mean =
∑ fx = 3+10+18+28+5 m+30+28 = 127+5 m =4.5
∑f 3+5+6 +7+m+5+ 4 30+m

127 + 5m = 135 + 4.5m

0.5m = 8, m = 16

ii. As mode is 4 so m <7.

iii. For median, from above table, the sum of frequencies without ‘m’ is 30 so minimum median will
start from 16th position.
1st to 3rd position, the number is 1
4th to 8th position, the number is 2
9th to 14th position, the number is 3
15th to 21st position, the number is 4
If 16th position is median then 15 observation should be before ‘4’ and 15 observation should be
after ‘4’.
3 + 5 + 6 + (one frequency of 4) - median’4’ - (5 remaining frequencies of ‘4’) + m + 5 + 4
15 observation-16th position (median)-14+m
15 = m + 14, m = 1(minimum value)
If 21st position is median then 20 observation should be before ‘4’ and 20 observation should be
after ‘4’.
3 + 5 + 6 + (6 frequencies of 4) - median’4’ – m + 5 + 4
20 observation-21st position (median) – m + 5 + 4
20 = m + 9, m = 11(maximum value)
So ‘m’ range for median is 1≤ m≤ 11

Mean = average of observation=

∑ of observation =
∑ fx
number of observation ∑f
Mode = Most frequent or maximum frequency observation is mode.

Median = Middle of observation.

First arrange the data in ascending or descending order.

If ∑ f =n(either odd∨even)
If odd, then median will lie at ( n+12 ) th position .
For example, if n =11 then median will lie at 6th position.

Statistics for A-Levels

If n = 25, then median lie at 13thposition.

If even, then median lie at

( ( n2 )th+( n2 +1)th .
2
)
If n = 20 then median is the average of numbers lie at 10 th and 11thposition.

If n = 50 then median is the average of numbers lie at 25 th and 26thposition.

If n = 76 then median is the average of numbers lie at 38 th and 39thposition.

Mean –variance- Standard deviation

Variance is derived from the word “vary” which means change when we measure the variance
then we actually check how much data is changed from the mean of actual observation .The
standard deviation is the positive square root of variance which shows the deviation from the
mean of actual observation .It is calculated for both grouped and ungrouped data. The units for
the variance is the square of the units in which data is measured and is calculated by using
the definition,

“It is the mean of squared difference between actual and mean of data”

Mathematically it is calculated by the formula, Let ∑ f =n

Variance( x )=
∑ ( x−x )2
n

1
Variance (x) =
n
∑ [ ( x−x )2 ]
1
= ¿
n

1
¿ ¿
n

¿
∑ x
2
−2 x
∑ x n x2 ∑ x
+ =
2
2
−2 x ( x )+ x =
∑ x
2
−x
2
n n n n n

For grouped, Variance( x )=

∑ ( x−x )2 f or Variance( x )= ∑
x2 f 2
−( x ) ; where x is mean.
n n

Standard deviation = It is the square root of variance. It is calculated as

Standard deviation =
√ ∑f ∑f √
∑ x 2 f −( x )2 or S.D = ∑ ( x −x )2 f

Example:
Ungrouped Data

X(marks) F Fx x2 x2 f

Statistics for A-Levels

 1 5 5 1 5
2 6 12 4 24
3 7 21 9 639
4 4 16 1 64
6
5 3 15 2 75
5
∑ f =25 ∑ fx=69 ∑ x 2 f =231

mean=x=
∑ fx = 69 =2.76
∑ f 25

variance ( x )=
∑ x 2 f −( x )2= 231 −( 2.76 )2=1.6224
∑f 25

S . D=√ var ( x )=1.274

Alternative method

X F x−x ( x−x )2 ( x−x )2 f

1 5 -1.76 3.0976 15.488
2 6 -.76 .5776 3.4656
3 7 .24 .0576 0.4032
4 4 1.24 1.5376 6.1504
5 3 2.24 5.0176 15.0528
x ∑ f =25 ∑ (x−x )2 f =40.56
Variance( x )=
∑ ( x−x )2 f 40.56
= =1.6224
∑f 25

S.D=√ var ( x )=√ 1.6224=1.274

Grouped Data:

Mid value
Marks∈test f Boundaries fx x
2 2
x f
of marks (x)
1 ≤marks ≤ 10 5 0.5−10.5 5.5 27.5 3.25 151.25
11 ≤marks ≤ 20 9 10.5−20.5 15.5 139.5 240.25 2162.25
21 ≤marks ≤ 30 13 20.5−30.5 25.5 331.5 650.25 8453.25
31 ≤marks ≤ 40 15 30.5−40.5 35.5 532.5 1260.25 18903.75
41 ≤ marks ≤50 21 40.5−50.5 45.5 955.5 2070.25 43475.25
51 ≤marks ≤ 60 14 50.5−60.5 55.5 777 3.80.25 43123.5
61 ≤ marks≤ 70 12 60.5−70.5 65.5 786 4290.25 51483
71 ≤marks ≤ 80 6 70.5−80.5 75.5 453 5700.25 34201.5
∑ f =95 ∑ fx=4002.6 ∑ x 2 f =¿20
1953.75
∑ x2 f
−(
95 )
2
2 201953.75 4002.6
variance ( x )= −( x ) =
∑f 95

¿ 2125.83−1775.16=350.67

S . D=√ var ( x )=√ 350.67=18.7

Statistics for A-Levels
Assumed Mean:
Let a be the assumed mean which is one of the value selected from the given [Link] "a" be the
deviated observation from actual observations thend= x−a
so ∑d=∑ ( x−a )

∑ ( x−a )
d=
∑f

x=a+d

Example:
The of length of wires measured are 97 cm , 98 cm ,99 cm 100 cm, 101 cm, 102 cm , 103 cm ,104 cm ,
105 cm ,106 cm , 107 cmRespectively. Calculate the mean by using assumed mean and variance and
standard deviation. x=97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106,107
Let a (assumed mean) = 102then d (deviated observations)¿ x−a=−5 ,−4 ,−3 ,−2 ,−1,0,1,2,3,4,5;
−5−4−3−2−1−0+1+2+3+ 4+5
Deviated mean¿ d= =0 ,then actual mean¿ x=a+ d=102+0=102
11

Assumed variance:
( x −a )2 2
Variance (deviated)¿ −(d)
∑f
Standard deviation of Deviated data¿

Length( x) d= x−a (x−a) 2

√ ( x−a )2
∑f
−( d)
2

97 -5 25
98 -4 16
99 -3 9
100 -2 4
101 -1 1
102(a) 0 0
103 1 1
104 2 4
105 3 9
106 4 16
107 5 25
∑ d=0 ∑ ( x−a)2=110

( x−a )2 2 110
Variance ( deviated )= −(d ) = −0=10
∑f 11
Standard deviation of Deviated data

¿
√ ( x−a )2
∑f
−( d) =√ 10=3.162
2

¿ general if y=x−athen

x=a+ y
Statistics for A-Levels
¿ Var ( x ) =var ( y )

¿ S . D ( x )=S . d ( y )
 Assignment
1. The grouped frequency distribution in table represents the masses in kilograms of a sample of 38
of the people from the datafile ‘Brain size’. Represent these data in a histogram.

Mass(kg) Frequency

47-54 4

55-62 7

63-66 8

67-74 7

75-82 8

83-90 4

Masses of people from the datafile ‘Brain size’.

Find the frequency densities by dividing the frequency of each class by the width of the
class, as shown in the table.

Mass m,(kg) Class Class width Frequency Frequency

boundaries density

47-54 46.5 ≤ m<54.5 8 4 0.5

55-62 54.5 ≤ m<62.5 8 7 0.875

63-66 62.5 ≤ m<66.5 4 8 2

67-74 66.5 ≤ m<74.5 8 7 0.875

75-82 74.5 ≤ m<82.5 8 8 1

83-90 82.5 ≤ m< 90.5 8 4 0.5

Calculation of frequency density for the data in Table

The histogram is shown in Fig.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Histogram of the data in Table

2. The table shows the age distribution of the 200 members of a chess club.

Age 16-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 Over 59

Number of members 12 40 44 47 32 25

(a) From a table showing the class boundaries and frequency densities.
(b) Draw a histogram of a data.

3. The lengths of 250 electronic components were measured very accurately. The result are
summarized in the following table.

Length (cm) ¿ 7.00 7.00-7.05 7.05-7.10 7.10-7.15 7.15-7.20 ¿7.20

Frequency 10 63 77 65 30 5

Given that 10% of the components were scrapped because they are too short and 8% are scrapped
because they are too long, use a cumulative frequency graph to estimate limits for the length of an
acceptable component.

Statistics for A-Levels

4. As part of a health study the blood glucose levels of 150 students were measured. The results, in
mmol l-1 correct to l decimal place, are summarized in the following table.

Glucose level ¿ 3.0 3.0-3.9 4.0-4.9 5.0-5.9 6.0-6.9 ¿7.0

Frequency 7 55 723. 10 4 2

Draw a cumulative frequency graph and use it to find the percentage of students with blood
glucose level greater than 5.2.
The number of students with blood glucose level greater than 5.2 is equal to the number with blood
glucose level less than a. Find a.

5. The heights, x cm, of a sample of 80 female students are summarized by the equation
∑ (x−160)=[Link] the mean height of a female student.

6. The table below gives the number of shoots produced by 50 plants in a botanical research
laboratory.

No. of shoots 0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44

Frequency 1 1 1 6 17 16 4 2 2

Calculate the mean number of shoots per plant.

Statistics for A-Levels

7. Calls made by a telephone saleswomen were monitored. The lengths (in minutes, to the nearest
minute) of 30 calls are summarized in the following table.

Length of call 0-2 3-5 6-8 9-11 12-15

Number of calls 17 6 4 2 1

(a) Write down the class boundaries.

(b) Estimate the mean length of the calls.

8. The price of a CD is denoted by $x. For 60 CDs bought in different stores it is found that
∑ ( x−12 )=¿ 53.40 .¿ calculate the mean price of these CDs. The mean price of a further 40 CDs is
found to be $11.64. Find the mean price of the 100 CDs.

9. State or find the mean of

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
(b) 4, 12, -2, 7, 0, 9,

√
Using the formula 1 ∑ ( x−x )2 , Find the standard deviation of each data set.
n

Statistics for A-Levels

10. The masses, x grams, of the contents of 25 tins of Brand A anchovies are summarized by
∑ x =1268.2 and ∑ x 2=64 585.16 . Find the mean and variance of the masses. What is the unit of
measurement of the variance?

11. The mean and standard deviation of the heights of 12 boys in a class are 148.8 cm and 5.4 cm
respectively. A boy of height 153.4 cm joins the class. Find the mean and standard deviation of the
heights of the 13 boys.

12. The following stem-and-leaf diagrams are for the messes of 20 female students and 18 male
students from the datafile ‘Brain size’ in Representation of data.

Female Male

4 8 (1) 4

5 2 4 4 5 8 8 (6) 5

6 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 9 (10) 6 0 1 5 5 7 9 (6)

Statistics for A-Levels

 7 029 (3) 7 0 8 8 8 (4)

8 8 1 1 2 2 4 5 7 7 (8)

Key: 6|1 means 61kg

Summary:
∑ f =1246 , ∑ f 2=78 704 ,
∑ m=1360 , ∑ m2=104 162,
where f and m represent the masses of female and male students respectively . Compare the
masses of the females and males by drawing box-and-whisker plots and calculating the means and
standard deviations of the masses.

1. 2. (a), (b) B: 16 20 30 40 50 60 80
FD: 3 4 4.4 4.7 3.2 1.25
3. Plot at (7, 10), (7.05, 73), (7.10, 150), (7.15, 215), 4. Plot at (2.95, 7), (3.95, 62), (4.95, 134), (5.95, 144),
(7.20, 245), (7.30, 250); (6.95, 148), (8.95, 150); 9% about 3.07.
Between 7.012 cm and 7.175 cm.
5. 163 cm 6. 24.3
7. (a) 0-2.5, 2.5-5.5, 5.5-8.5, 8.5-11.5, 11.5-15.5 8. $12.89, $12.39
(b) 3.56 minutes
9. Mean: (a) 4 (b) 5 10. 50.728 g, 10.076 g2
SD: (a)2 (b) 4.899
11. 149.15 cm, 5.33 cm 12. f =62.3 kg, SD (female) is 7.34 kg,
m=75.6 kg, SD (male) is 8.45 kg
Both distributions have negative skew. Females are
lighter than males by about 13 kg on average and less
variable than males.

Past papers Questions:

Q#01: The table summarizes the time that 112 people took to travel to work on a particular day.

Time to travel to 0<t 10<t<1 15<t < 20 <t < 25< t < 40<t <
work (t minutes) <10 5 20 25 40 60
Frequency 19 12 28 22 18 13
(i) State which time interval in the table contains the median and which time interval contains the
upper quartile.
(ii) On graph paper, draw a histogram to represent the data.
(iii) Calculate an estimate of the mean time to travel to work.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#02: The ages, x years, of 150 cars are summarized by ∑ x =645 and ∑ x 2= 8287.5. Find ∑ ( x− x )2 ,
where x denotes the mean of x.

Q# 03: A sample of 36 data values, x, gave ∑ (x−45)=−148 and ∑ ( x−45 ) 2=3089.

(i) Find the mean and standard deviation of the 36 values.
(ii) One extra data value of 29 was added to the sample. Find the standard deviation of all 37 values.

Q #04: The weights in kilograms of 11 bags of sugar and 7 bags of flour are as follows.

Sugar 1.961 1.983 2.008 2.014 1.968 1.994 2.011 2.017 1.977 1.984 1.989
:
Flour: 1.945 1.962 1.949 1.977 1.964 1.941 1.953
(i) Represent this information on a back-to-back stem-and-leaf diagram with sugar on the left-hand
side.
(ii) Find the median and interquartile range of the weights of the bags of sugar.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#05: Esme noted the test marks, X, of 16 people in class, She found that ∑ x =824 and that the
standard deviation of x was 6.5.

(i) Calculate ∑ ( x−50 ) and ∑ ( x−50 ) .

2

(ii) One person did the test later and her mark was 72. Calculate the new mean and standard deviation
of the marks of all 17 people.

Q# 06: During January the numbers of people entering a store during the first hour after opening were
as follows.

Time after opening Frequency Cumulative

(x minutes) Frequency
0 < x < 10 210 210
10 < x < 20 134 344
20 < x < 30 78 422
30 < x < 40 72 a
40 < x < 60 B 540
(i) Find the value of a and b.
(ii) Draw a cumulative frequency graph to represent this information. Take a scale of 2cm for 10
minutes on the horizontal axis and 2 cm for 50 people on the vertical axis.
(iii) Use your graph to estimate the median time after opening that people entered the store.
(iv) Calculate estimates of the mean, m minutes, and standard deviation, s minutes, of the time after
opening that people entered the stored.
1 1
(v) Use your graph to estimate the number of people entering the store between (m- s) and (m+ s)
2 2
minutes after opening.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q # 07: The pulse rates, in beats per minute, of a random sample of 15 small animals are shown in the
following table.

115 120 158 132 125

104 142 160 145 104
162 117 109 124 134
(i) Draw a stem-and-leaf diagram to represent the data.
(ii) Find the median and the quartiles.
(iii) On graph paper, using a scale of 2 cm to represent 10 beats per minutes, draw a box-and-wisker
plot of the data.

Q # 08: A summary of 24 observations of x gave the following information:

∑ ( x−a )=−73.2∧∑ ( x−a )2=2115.

The mean of these values of x is 8.95.

(i) Find the value of the constant a.

(ii) Find the standard deviation of these values of x.

Q # 09: The lengths of time in minutes to swim a certain distance by the numbers of a class of twelve 9-
years-olds and by the members of a class of eight 16-years-olds are shown below.

9-years-old: 13.0 16.1 16.0 14.4 15.9 15.1 14.2 13.7 16.7 16. 15.0 13.2
4
16-years-old 14.8 13.0 11.4 11.7 16.5 13.7 12.8 12.

Statistics for A-Levels

 9
(i) Draw a back-to-back stem-and-leaf diagram to represent the information above.
(ii) A new pupil joined the 16-years-old class and swam the distance. The mean time for the class of
nine pupils was now 13.6 minutes. Find the new pupil’s time to swim the distance.

Q # 10: A group of 10 married couples and 3 single men found that the mean age x w of the women was
41.2 years and the standard deviation of the women’s ages was 15.1 years. For the 13 men, the
mean age x w was 46.3 years and the standard deviation was 12.7 years.

(i) Find the mean age of the whole group of 23 people.

(ii) The individual women’s ages are denoted by x w and the individual men’s ages by x w . By first
finding ∑ x 2w w and ∑ x 2mm, find the standard deviation for the whole group.

Q # 11: The weights in kilograms of two groups of 17-years-old meals from country P and country Q are
displayed in the following back-to-back stem-and-leaf diagram. In the third row of the diagram, …
4|7|1… denotes weight of 74 kg for a male in country P and 71kg for a meal in country Q.

Country P Country Q
5 1 5
6 2 3 4 8
9 8 7 6 4 7 1 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 8 9
8 8 6 6 5 3 8 2 3 6 7 7 8 8
9 7 7 6 5 5 5 4 2 9 0 2 2 4
5 4 4 3 1 10 4 5
(i) Find the median and quartile weights for country Q.
(ii) You are given that the lower quartiles, median and upper quartile for country P are 84, 94 and 98
kg respectively. On a single diagram on graph paper, draw two box-and-wisker plots of the data.

Statistics for A-Levels

(iii) Make two comments on the weights of the two groups.

Topic#03 Probability
The chance to occur an event is called probability. The total possible outcomes are
known as sample space. The ratio between the favorable outcomes to the total outcome
is called the probability of that event.

( Favorable chances)
1. P(Event) =
Total chances
2. Probability always lie between 0 and 1; 0 ≤ P( E)≤ 1
P (E) = 0 means event will not or can’t occur.
P (E) = 1 means that event will certainly occur.
3. P(A) +P(A’) = 1; Means the sum of probabilities of all possible outcome is 1
Examples:
i. Calculate the probability of selecting prime numbers between1 to 25 inclusive.
Solution:
9
P (prime number) =
25
ii. Calculate the probability of selecting vowels from English alphabets.
Solution:
5
P (vowels) =
26
iii. Calculate the probability of selecting red card from a pack of 52 cards.
Solution:
26 1
P (red cards) = =
52 2
iv. Calculate the probability of selecting a girl student from 9boys and 7 girls.
Solution:

Statistics for A-Levels

 7
P (girl) =
16
v. Calculate the probability of selecting green sweets from a packet which contains 9 red,8
blue and 7 green color sweets.
Solution:
7
P (green sweets) =
24
vi. Calculate the probability of selecting a two digit which contains at least on digit as 5
from two digits numbers.
Solution:
Total numbers=90
Favorable Numbers {15, 25, 35, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 65, 75, 85,
95}.
18 1
P (required digits) = =
90 5
vii. Calculate the probability of selecting vowels from the word STATISTICS.
Solution:
Vowels=3; consonants=7
3
P (vowels) =
10
viii. Three concentric circle (which have same center but of different radius) of radii 3.5cm,
7cm. Calculate the probability of region which lies between two circle.
Solution:
( outer−inner ) area of cicle π ( 49−12.25 ) 36.75
P (required region) = = =
outer area
˚ π ( 49 ) 49

Possibility diagram:
When exactly two events occur simultaneously.
Examples:
i. When two fair dice are thrown simultaneously and their scores on top face are added.
Calculate the probability
a) Score is odd.
b) Score is even
c) Score is prime number
d) Score is greater than 8
e) Score is a multiple of 3
f) Score is divisible by 4

Solution:

Sum(+) 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Statistics for A-Levels
 18 1
a) P (Odd) = =
36 2

1 1
b) P (Odd) + P(even) = 1; P(even) = 1 - =
2 2

15
c) P (prime) =
36

10 5
d) P (greater than 8) = =
36 18

12 1
e) P (multiple of 3) = =
36 3

9 1
f) P (divisible by 4) = =
36 4

ii. When two fair dice are thrown simultaneously and H.C.F of their top faces is tabulated.
Calculate the probability
a) P(1)
b) P(2)
c) P(is odd number)
d) P(multiple of 2)
e) P(divisible by 3)

Solution:

H.C.F 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 1 2 1 2 1 2
3 1 1 3 1 1 3
4 1 2 1 4 1 2
5 1 1 1 1 5 1
6 1 2 3 2 1 6

23
a) P(1) =
36
7
b) P(2) =
36
27
c) P(is odd number) =
36
9 1
d) P(multiple of 2) = =
36 4
3 1
e) P(divisible by 3) = =
36 12

Tree diagram:
Number of lines will be drawn for number of different objects which are considered as
branches of tree. It is done with or without replacement. It must be kept in mind that it
Statistics for A-Levels
 is either with or without replacement,” the sum of branches of that tree will always be
equal to 1”.

Total possible outcomes = (Number of possibilities)Number of draws; only for with replacement.

Examples:
i. If there are 3 different colors and 2 draws are taken then total possible outcomes =(3) 2=9
ii. If there 2 options for answering the question and 3 attempts then total outcomes=(2) 3=8
iii. If there are 3 tosses for a coin then total possible outcome =(2) 3 = 8

With Replacement:
If it is with replacement then total number of objects will always remain same.
Example:
A bag contains 15 identical balls of which 7 are of red color, 5 of blue and 3 of green
color. Two balls are drawn at random with replacement. Calculate the probability,
i. Both are of same color
ii. Both are of different color
iii. At least on of red color
iv. Second is of blue color
v. First is of green color
Solution:
7 7 5 5 3 3 49+ 25+ 9 83
i. P(same) = P(RR) + P(BB) + P(GG) = × + × + × = =
15 15 15 15 15 15 225 225
−83 142
ii. P(different) = 1 – P (same) = 1 =
225 225
iii. P(at least one red) = P(RR)+P(RB) + P(RG) + P(BR) + P(GR)
7 7 7 5 7 3 5 7 3 7 49+ 35+21+35+21 161
= × + × + × + × + × = =
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 225 225
7 5 5 5 3 5 35+25+15 75 1
iv. P(RB) + P(BB) + P(GB) = × + × + × = = =
15 15 15 15 15 15 225 225 3
3 7 3 3 3 5 21+9+15 45 1
v. P(GR) + P(GG) + P(GB) = × + × + × = = =
15 15 15 15 15 15 225 225 5

Without Replacement:
If it is without replacement then for every new draw, the total as well as the drawn object
will be decreased by 1.
Example:
A bag contains 15 identical balls of which 7 are of red color, 5 of blue and 3 of green
color. Two balls are drawn at random without replacement. Calculate the probability,
1. Both are of same color
2. Both are of different color
3. At least on of red color
4. Second is of blue color
5. First is of green color

Statistics for A-Levels

 Solution:
7 6 5 4 3 2 42+20+ 6 68 34
1. P(same) = P(RR) + P(BB) + P(GG) = × + × + × = = =
15 14 15 14 15 14 210 210 105
−34 71
2. P(different) = 1-P(same) = 1 =
105 225
3. P(at least one red) = P(RR) + P(RB) + P(RG) + P(BR) + P(GR)
7 6 7 5 7 3 5 7 3 7 42+35+ 21+ 35+21 152 76
= × + × + × + × + × = = =
15 14 15 14 15 14 15 14 15 14 210 210 105
7 5 5 4 3 5 35+20+15 70 1
4. P(RB) + P(BB) + P(GB) = × + × + × = = =
15 14 15 14 15 14 210 210 3
3 7 3 2 3 5 21+6+15 42 1
5. P(GR) + P(GG) + P(GB) = × + × + × = = =
15 14 15 14 15 14 210 210 5

Note:
For all disposable items, food items, working/defective items, whether it is mentioned in
question or not, these questions are type of without replacement.
Example:
Ahmad ate 1 vanilla, 4 chocolate and 2 mango flavored biscuits. Calculate the
probability that he ate 2 biscuits of,
i. Same taste
ii. Different taste
iii. One vanilla taste
iv. Second chocolate taste
Solution:
4 3 2 1 1
i. P(same) = P(CC) + P(MM) = × + × =
7 6 7 6 3
−1 2
ii. P(different) = 1 – P (same) = 1 =
3 3
iii. P(one vanilla) = P(VM) + P(MV) + P(VC) + P(CV)
1 2 2 1 1 4 4 1
= × + × + × + ×
7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6
12
¿
42
2
¿
7
iv. P(Second chocolate) = P(VC) + P(CC) + P(MC)
1 4 4 3 2 4
= × + × + ×
7 6 7 6 7 6
24
¿
42
4
¿
7

Exclusive events:
When two events cannot occur simultaneously or there is no common outcome in two
events. Mathematically the events are disjoint or intersection between the events is zero.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Examples:
 Odd and Even numbers in throwing a dice cannot occur at same time.
 Getting head and tail on tossing a coin.
 Right and left on turn of vehicle
Mathematically,
P(AUB) = P( A or B) = P(A) + P(B); where P(A ∩ B) = 0 for exclusive events.

Inclusive events:
When two events can occur simultaneously or there is some common outcome in two
events. Mathematically the intersection is not zero between events.

Examples:
 Getting prime number and even number in throwing a dice
 Sum is 6 with odd numbers on dice
 Product is 4 and even numbers on dice
Mathematically,
P(AUB) = P( A or B or both) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A ∩ B) ; where P(A ∩ B) ≠ 0 for inclusive events.

Conditional probability:
It means that finding the probability of an event from the other event which has already
occurred.
P (A/B) = P (A given that B) means finding probability of event A from the event B which
has already occurred. Let A and B are two different events but they have some common
outcome. The overlapping region shows the common.

In the above figure, for P ( AB ), A ∩ B is the favourable region and Region of B is the total
region.
As probability of an event=
Favourable outcome
Total outcome
so P ( )
A
B
=
P ( A ∩B)
P(B)

Condition:
The probability of the event which has already occurred must be greater than zero.
Examples:

Statistics for A-Levels

1. There are 25 students in a class in which 15 take accounting and 12 take biology.
Calculate the probability of those students who take accounting given that they take
biology.
Solution:
Total = 25; Accounting = 15; Biology = 12
Using set language, n (T) = n (A) + n (B) – n (A∩B)
25 = 15 + 12 – n (A∩B); n (A∩B) = 2 so 2 students take accounting and biology.
Thus P ( )
A
B
=
P ( A ∩B) 2 1
P( B)
= =
12 6
2. The probability that test is difficult and Ahmed pass the test is 0.3 and the probability
that test is difficult is 0.7 then Calculate the probability that he will pass the test.
Solution:
Let P is the event that he will pass and D is the event that the test is difficult.
P ( )
P
D
=
P ( P∩ D ) 0.3 3
P( D)
= =
0.7 7
3. The probability that weather is dry and Ahmed wins is 0.04. The probability that day is
dry is 0.6. Calculate the probability that Ahmed wins given that the day is dry.
Solution:
Let W is the event that he wins and D is the event that day is dry.
P ( )
W
D
=
P (W ∩ D) 0.04 1
P ( D)
= =
0.6 15

Independent and dependent events

Independent events:
When the probability of second event is not affected by the probability of the first event
then the events are said to be independent event. The probability of both event occurring
is the product of their individual probabilities.
Mathematically,
If A is the first and B is the second event then

( )
P (Both) = P (A∩ B) = P (A) P(B) or P
B
A
= P (B) then events are independent.

Examples:
1. In a bag, there are 5 green and 6 red counters. Two counters are drawn with
replacement. The drawing of second counter is not affected by first counter.
2. A fair coin is tossed two times then the probability of second head or tail is not affected
by first draw.
3. In a pack of 52 cards, 4 kings are drawn one by one with replacement. The probability of
second, third and fourth king will remain same as that of first.

Dependent events:
When the probability of second event is affected by the probability of the first event then
the events are said to be dependent event. The probability of both event occurring is not
the product of their individual probabilities.
Mathematically,
If A is the first and B is the second event then

( )
P (Both) = P(A∩ B) ≠ P(A) P(B) or P
A
B
≠ P(B)

Where P (A∩ B) = P ( )B
A
P(A) then events are dependent.

Examples:
Statistics for A-Levels
1. In a bag, there are 5 green and 6 red counters. Two counters are drawn without
replacement. The drawing of second counter is affected by first counter.
2. Cards are numbered 1, 2, 3, ………8. Two cards are drawn one by one without
replacement. The probability of second odd number is affected by the probability of first.
3. In a pack of 52 cards, 4 kings are drawn one by one without replacement. The
probability of second, third and fourth king will not remain same as that of first.

Key points summary of Probability

The chance to occur an event is called probability. If ‘E” represent the event then,
Favourable chances
P (E) =
Total chances
Probability can be calculated by either
i. Possibility diagram(for exactly two events which occur simultaneously)
ii. Tree diagram(for two or more than two events)
Tree diagram can be used for with and without replacements of objects. The sum of probability
of branch of tree is always equal to 1 either with or without replacement.
iii. Conditional probability
1. If event is not possible to occur then P(E)=0
2. If event certainly occurs the P(E) =1
3. Probability always lies between 0 and 1, 0≤ P(E)≤ 1
4. The sum of probabilities of an event ’A’ and not of event ’A’= A' is equal to 1. P ( A ) + P ( A ' )=1
5. P ( A∨B∨Both ) =P ( A ∪ B ) =P ( A ) + P ( B )−P( A ∩ B)
i . P ( A ∩B )=0 then events are exclusive.
ii . If P ( A ∩ B ) ≠ 0 then events are inclusive.
6. Conditional probability: when one event has already occurred and then finding the probability
of other event from occurred event. Let B event has occurred and now probability of A is

required then it is written as P ( AB ) =

P (A ∩B)
P( B)
;

i. P( AB ) =P(A) then events are said to be independent events.

Or P(A∩B)=P(A)xP(B) for indepent events

ii. If P ( AB ) ≠ P(A) then events are said to be dependent events.

Or P(A∩B)≠ P(A)xP(B) then dependent events.

Note: Some sets properties are useful in solving probability question easily.
Solved examples for Probability
1. A man throws three dice and observes the number on the top face of [Link] the
probabilities that
(a) All the three numbers are different,
(b) All the three numbers are the same,
(c) Only two of the three numbers are the same,
Statistics for A-Levels
 (d) The sum of the three numbers is greater than 15.
Solution:
Hint:
Make the possibility diagram for two dice and then with the third. It can be solved by
using permutation.
120 5
a) P ( all different )= =
216 9
6 1
b) P ( same )= =
216 36
90 5
c) P ( only two of three are same )= =
216 12
10 5
d) P ( ∑ ¿ 15 ) = =
216 108
5 1 5 5
Answer : ( a ) ( b ) ( c ) ( d )
9 36 12 108
2. A and B are events, and A' denotes the complementary event to A ¿is the event that occurs
whenever A does not occur).The following probabilities are given:
P ( A )=0 ∙ 4 , P ( B|A )=0∙ 7 , P ( A ∩ B ) =0 ∙[Link] the probabilities
'

( a ) P ( A ∩B ) , ( b ) P ( B ) , ( c ) P ( A ∪B ) , ( d ) P ( A|B ) .State, with a reason, whether or not A and B are

independent events.
Solution:
P ( A )=0 ∙ 4 , P ( B|A )=0∙ 7 , P ( A ∩ B ) =0 ∙3
'

a) P ( A ∩ B )=?

( )
P
B
A
=
P( A ∩ B)
P( A)
; 0.7=
P (A ∩B)
0.4
; P ( A ∩B )=0.7 × 0.4=0.28

b) P ( B )=?
P ( B )=P ( A ∩ B ) + P ( A ∩B )=0.3+ 0.28=0.58
'

c) P ( A ∪ B ) =P ( A )+ P ( B )−P ( A ∩B )
¿ 0.4+ 0.58−0.28=0.7

d¿ P ( )
A P ( A ∩B ) 0.28
B
=
P (B)
=
0.58
=0.483

For independent; P ( A ∩ B )=P ( A ) × P ( B ) ;

P ( A ∩ B )=0.28and P ( A ) × P ( B ) =0.4 ×0.58=0.232
P ( A ∩ B ) ≠ P ( A ) × P ( B ) ;Not independent
Answer:( a ) 0 ∙ 28 ( b ) 0∙ 58 ( c ) 0∙ 7 ( d ) 0 ∙ 48 ;not independent
3. Two events X and Y are not independent, and their respective probabilities of occurring
are given by P ( X )=0∙ 6 and P ( Y )=0 ∙ [Link] is also given that P ( X ∪ Y )=0 ∙ 95. Calculate
( a ) P ( X ∩Y ) , ( b ) P ( Y |X ) , ( c ) P ( X ∪Y ' ) .
Solution:
(a) P ( X ∩Y )
P ( X ∪Y )=P ( X ) + P ( Y )−P ( X ∩Y ) ;
P ( X ∩Y )=P ( X ) + P ( Y )−PX ∪ Y ¿ ; 0.6+ 0.7−0.95=0.35

(b)( ) PY
X
=
P( X ∩Y )
P (X )
=0.583

(c) P ( X ∪ Y ' )=P ( X ) + P ( ' )−P ( X ∩' ) ;

Statistics for A-Levels

 where P ( X ∩Y ' )=P ( X only ) =0.6−0.35=0.25 ; P ( Y ' )=1−0.7=0.3
P ( X ∪Y ' )=0.6+ 0.3−0.25=¿0.65
Answer:( a ) 0 ∙ 35 ( b ) 0∙ 583 ( c ) 0∙ 65
4. Two bags each constant ten discs which are indistinguishable apart from their color. The
first bag contains 4 red and 6black discs and the second, 7 red and 3 black discs. A disc
is chosen at random from the first bag and placed in the second, then, after thoroughly
mixing, a disc is taken from the second bag and placed in the first .Find the probability
that the first bag still contains exactly 4 red discs.
Solution:
There are two options.
a) Red is drawn from first bag and placed in second and again red is drawn from second
bag and put in first so that exactly 4 red discs remain.
b) Black is drawn from first bag and placed in second and again black is drawn from
second bag and put in first so that exactly 4 red discs remain
P ( required ) =P( R ¿ ¿ 1 R 2)+ P ( B 1 B2 ) ¿
4 8 6 4 56 28
¿ × + × = =
10 11 10 11 110 55
28
Answer:
55
5. A bag contains 4 red and 6 black balls. One ball is drawn at random; if it is black it is
replaced in the bag, but if it is red it is not replaced. A second ball is then drawn. X
denotes the event' The first ballis ℜ d ' and Y denotes are event' The second ball is ℜd ' .Find the
probability
(a) P(X),
(b) P(Y given X),
(c) P(Y),
(d) P(either X or Y but not both).
Solution:
4 2
a) P ( X )= =
10 5
3 1
b) P ( Y given X ) meansP ( first red is already occured )=P ( Y / X ) = =
9 3
6 4 4 3 6 2 28
c) P ( Y )=P ( BR ) + P ( RR )= × + × = + =
10 10 10 9 25 15 75
4 6 6 4 4 6 38
d) P ( either X∨Y but not both )=P ( RB ) + P ( BR )= × + × = + =
10 9 10 10 15 25 75
2 1 28 38
Answer: ( a ) ( b ) ( c ) ( d )
5 3 75 75
6. I have a choice of two routes ¿ get ¿ work . The probability that I choose the first route on any day
is 0 ∙6 ,∧the probabilities of any being delayed on the journey are 0 ∙ 1 for the first route∧0 ∙2
for the second .Calculate the probability that I get ¿ work without being delayed ,∧hence show that
just
the probability of my beingdelayed precisely once∈three days is ∙31.
0
Solution: Make tree diagram

Statistics for A-Levels

P ( work without delay on any day )=P ( F D¿ )+ P ( S D¿ )=0.6 ×0.9+ 0.4 ×0.8=0.86
P ( work with delay on any day )=1−P ( work without delay )=0.14
¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
P ( Once∈3 days )=P ( D D D ) + P ( D D D ) + P( D D D)
¿ 0.14 × 0.86 ×0.86+ 0.86× 0.14 × 0.86+0.86 ×0.86 × 0.14=0.3106
which is slightly more than 0.31(shown)
ANS :0 ∙ 86 , 0 ∙3106
7. Anexperiment is performed with a die ∧two packs of cards . The dieis thrown ,∧if shows 1 , 2,
3∨4 a card is drawn at random¿ the first pack , which contains theusual 52 cards ; if the score on
the dieis 5∨6 a card is drawn ¿ the second pack , which contains only 39 cards , all the clubshaving
'
been removed . X denotes the events' The first pack with 52 cardsis use d ,∧Y denotes the event ' The
'
card drawnis a diamon d . Calculate the probabilities
( a ) P ( X ) , ( d ) P ( Y |X ) ,
( b ) P ( X ∩Y ) , ( e ) P ( X|Y ) .
(c ) P (Y ) ,
Solution:
4 2
a) P ( X )= =
6 3
4 13 1
b) P ( X ∩Y )= × =
6 52 6
4 13 2 13 5
c) P ( Y )= × + × =
6 52 6 39 18
1
P( X ∩Y ) 6 1
d) P ( Y / X )= = =
P(X ) 2 4
3
1
P( X ∩Y ) 6 3
e) P ( X /Y )= = =
P (Y ) 5 5
18
2 1 5 1 3
ANS : ( a ) ( b ) ( c ) ( d ) ( e )
3 6 18 4 5
8. X ∧Y are independent events such that P ( X )=0 ∙7∧P ( Y )=0 ∙ 4. Calculate ( i ) P ( X ∪Y ) ,
( ii ) P [( X ∩Y )|( X ∪ Y ) ] .
Solution:
As X∧Y are independent , so P ( X ∩Y ) =P ( X )× P(Y )
i. P ( X ∪ Y )=P ( X ) + P ( Y )−P ( X ∩Y )=0.7 +0.4−0.7 ×0.4=0.82
ii. P¿
Ans : (i ) 0 ∙ 82 ( ii ) 0 ∙ 3415
9. Seven coins , of which 3 are silver ∧4 copper , are∈a box . A random selection of 3 coins is made
¿ the coins so selected are placed ∈a purse ( purse A ) . The remaining coins are placed ∈a second

Statistics for A-Levels

 purse ( purse B ) . Find the probabilities associated with each of the possible numbers of silver coins
( ranging ¿0¿3 )∈ purse A . Ona prticular occasionis known that purse A has∈¿ 2 silver
coins∧1 copper cion ,∧that the remaining coins are∈purse B . If one coinis thendrawn at
random ¿ a purse selected at random, find the probability that the coin is silver .
Solution: Silver =3; copper=4
4 3 2 4
P ( S=0 )=P(CCC )= × × =
7 6 5 35
P ( s=1 )=P ( 3 possibilities )=P ( SCC ) + P (CSC )+ P(CCS)=3 × × = (
4 3 3 18
7 6 5 35 )
P ( s=2 )=P ( SSC ) + P ( SCS )+ P ( CSS ) =3 ( 37 × 26 × 45 )= 1235
3 2 1 1
P ( s=3 ) =P ( SSS ) = × × =
7 6 5 35
1 2 1 1 11
P ( purse A with silver ) + P ( purse B with silver )= × + × =
2 3 2 4 24
4 18 12 1 11
ANS : , , , ,
35 35 35 35 24
10. Events A∧B are such that P ( A )=0.3 , P ( B ) =0.8∧P ( A∧B )=0.4 . State , giving a reason∈¿
each case , whether events A∧b are
( i ) independent ,
( ii ) mutually exclusive.
Solution:
i. For idepedent ; P ( A ∩ B )=P ( A ) × P ( B ) ;
P ( A∧B )=P ( A ∩ B )=0.4∧P ( A ) P ( B ) =0.3× 0.8=0.24
Not same so not independent
ii. For mutually exclusive , P ( A ∩ B )=0 whichis not zero asis 0.4 so mutually not exclusive
ANS : ( i ) not independent
( ii ) not mutually exclusive .
11. A box contains 25 apples , of which 20 are red∧5 are green .Of thered apples ,3 contain maggots
¿ of the green apples , 1contains maggots .Two apples are chosen at random¿ the box . Find ,∈¿
any order ,
( a ) the probability that both apples contains maggots ,
( b ) the probability that both apples are red at least one contains maggots ,
( c ) the probability that at least one apple contains maggots , given that both apples are red ,
( d ) the probability that bothapples are red giventhat at leats one apple isred .
Solution:
20 3 3
P ( R∧maggots )=P ( R M )= × =
25 20 25
5 1 1
P ( G∧maggots )=P ( GM ) = × =
25 5 25
20 17 17
P ( R∧not maggots )=P ( R N ) = × =
25 20 25
5 4 4
P ( G∧not maggots )=P ( G N ) = × =
25 5 25
3 2 3 1 1 3 4 1
a) P ( bothcontains maggots )=P ( R M R M ) + P ( R M G M ) + P(G M R M ) ¿ × + × + × = =
25 24 25 24 25 24 200 50

Statistics for A-Levels

 17 3 3 17 3 2 108 9
b) P ( at least one contains maggots ) =P ( R N R M ) + P ( R M R N ) + P ( R M R M )=
× + × + × = =
25 24 25 24 25 24 600 50
c) Let event A denotes that both are red∧event B denotes that at least one contains maggots
20 19 19 9
then P ( A )= × = ∧P ( B ) =
25 24 30 50
9/50 27
P ( B / A )= =
19/30 95
d) Let event A denotes that both are red∧event B denotes that at least one appleis red
20 19 19 5 4 29
then P ( A )= × = ∧P ( B ) =1−P ( ¿ )=1− × =
25 24 30 25 24 30
19/30 19
P ( A /B )= =
29/30 29

1 9 27 19
ANS : ( a ) (b ) (c ) (d )
50 50 95 29

12. A card is drawn ¿ a full pack of 52 playing cards . If the card drawn is an Ace , King , Queen∨¿

Jack ,two dice arethrown∧the ∑ of the scores on the dicsnoted . If any other card is drawn, one

die only is thrown∧the ∑ of the scores on the card∧the dienoted . X denoted the event ' Both
' '
dice are throw n ,∧Y denotes the event ' The score noted is less that fiv e . Calculate the probabilities

( a ) P ( X ) , ( d ) P ( Y |X ) ,

( b ) P ( X ∩Y ) , ( e ) P ( X|Y ) .

(c ) P (Y ) ,

Solution:

16 4
Aces , Kings , Queens , Jacksare 16 cards so for two dice ¿ be thrown , P ( X )= = ∧¿
52 13
for the ∑ of two scores table is shown below

Sum(+ 1 2 3 4 5 6
)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5 6 7 8 9 1 11
0

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

6 1
For this table P ( score<5 )=P ( Y ) = =
36 6

Statistics for A-Levels

 36 9
For other 36 cards Probability is = ∧¿
52 13
when one dieis thrown, table is given below . Note that Ace card has numerical value1

+(Sum) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

3 1
For this table P ( Y )=P ( score<5 ) = =
54 18

16 4
a) P ( X )= =
52 13
4 6 2
b) P ( X ∩Y )=P ( when two dice are thrown∧score is< 5 )= × =
13 36 39
4 6 9 1 7
c) P ( Y )=P(either two dice∨one dieis thrownbut score< 5)= × + × =
13 36 13 18 78
P ( X ∩Y ) 1
d) P(Y / X )= =
P(X) 6
P( X ∩Y ) 2/39 4
e) P ( X /Y )= = =
P (Y ) 7 /78 7

4 2 7 1 4
ANS : ( a ) ( b ) ( c ) ( d ) ( e)
13 39 78 6 7

13. Anurn contains sevenred∧five greentickets of which five of the red∧two of the green tickets

have the number 2 written on them .The rest of the red tickets have the number 1 written onthem ,∧¿

the rest of the green tickets have the number 3 written on them . A random sample of three tickets is

selected ¿the urn without replacement . Denoting by R theevent that all thetickets selected are red ,

¿ by E the event that the ∑ of the numbers on the tickets selested is equal¿ 6 , find P ( R ) , P ( E ) ,

P ( R ∩ E )∧P ( R|E ) .

Solution: Green=5 ; Red=7

5 Red numbered 2

2 Green numbered 2

2 Red numbered 1

3 Green numbered 3
Statistics for A-Levels
Event R = All tickets are red

Event E = The sum of numbers selected is equal to 6

7 6 5 7
P ( R )= × × =
12 11 10 44

P ( E )=P ( ∑ ¿ 6 )=P ( R2 R2 R 2) + 3 [ P ( R 2 R2 G2) ] +3 [ P ( R 2 G2 G 2) ]+ 6 [ P ( R1 R2 G3 ) ] +6 ¿

¿
5 4 3
× × +3
12 11 10
5 4
× ×
2
12 11 10
+3( 5 2
× ×
1
12 11 10
+6
5
) (
2
× ×
3
12 11 10
+6
2 2
× ×
3
12 11 10 ) ( ) ( )
( 60+120+30+180+72 ) 462 7
¿ = =
1320 1320 20

5 4 3 60 1
P ( R ∩ E )=P ( R2 R 2 R2 ) = × × = =
12 11 10 1320 22

P ( RE )= P(RP(∩E)E) = 1/22 =
7/20 77
10

7 7 1 10
ANS : , , ,
44 20 22 77

14. Anslysis of the results of a certain groupof students who had takenexaminations ∈both Mathematics

¿ Physics produced the following information :75 % of the students passed∈ Mathematics ,70 % passed

¿ Physics∧40 % failed ∈ at least one of these subjects .

( a ) Find the percentage of students who passed∈exactly one of the two subjects .

( b ) Of the student who passed ∈Mathematics find the percentage who also passed ∈ physics .

Solution:

Passed ∈maths=75 % ; Passed ∈ physics=70 % ;

Failed∈maths∨ physics∨both( at least one subject )=40 % ; So passed∈both=60 %

(a) Passed ∈mathematics only=75−60=15 % ; Passed ∈physics only=70−60=10 % ;

Passed ∈exaxtly one subject =15+10=25 %

P( M ∩ P) 60
(b) P ( P /M ) = = ×100=80 %
P(M ) 75

ANS : ( a ) 25 % ( b ) 80 %

15.¿

decimal correct ¿ 3 places .¿

There are 36 people at a gathering of two families .There are 25 people withthe name Lee∧11

people withthe nameChan . Of the25 people named Lee , 4 are single men , 5 are single women∧¿

Statistics for A-Levels

 there are 8 merried couples .Of the 11 people named Cahn ,2 are single men ,3 are single women∧¿

there are3 merried couples. Two people are chosen at random¿ the gathering .

10
( a ) Show that the probability that they both have the name Lee is .
21

( b ) Find the probability that they are merried ¿ each other .

( c ) Find the probability that they bothhave thename Lee , giving that they are merried ¿ each other .

( d ) Find the probability that they are a man∧a women with the same name .

( e ) Find the probability that they are merried ¿ each other , giventhat they are a man∧a women

with the same name .

Solution:

Nam Total Single men Single Married couples

e women
Lee 25 4 5 8
Cahn 11 2 3 3
25 24 10
(a) P ( Both lee )= × =
36 35 21
11 1 11
(b) P ( Married )=P ( men withwife ∨wife with men) =2( × )=
36 35 630
8
(c) P ( Married withname lee )=
11
(d) P ( Same name )=P ( bothlee ) + P ( both cahn )=2 [ P ( ¿ ) + P ( CC ) ] =¿

2
[( 12 13
×
36 35
+)(5
×
36 35
6
=
31
105 )]
(e) Let S is the event that they have same name∧M is the event that they are married .
11
P ( M ∩ S ) 630 11
So P ( M /S )= = =
P (S ) 31 186
105

11 8 31 11
ANS : ( b ) (c ) (d ) (e )
630 11 105 186

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assignment
1. Cards are drawn one at a time , with replacement ,¿ an ordinary pack of 52 cards .Cards drawn have

the following values : Aces score 1 point , tens , Jacks , Queens∧Kings score 10 points∧cards ¿ two

¿ nine score as many points as the numbers they carry ( i .e .twos score 2 points , threes score 3 ,∧so on ) .

Find the probabilities that

Statistics for A-Levels

 ( a ) the first card drawn scores at least 9 points .

( b ) the first two cards drawn each score at least 9 points .

( c ) the firts two cards drawn score at least 18 points altogether .

( d ) the first two cards drawn each score at least 9 points giventhat they score at leats 18 points altogether .

5 95 127 95
ANS : ( a ) (b ) ( c) (d )
13 663 663 127

5 7
2. ¿ a certain sample space , the events A∧B are independent∧P ( A ∪ B )= 8 ∧P ( A ∩ B ) = 24 .
'

Calculate ( a ) P ( B ) , ( b ) P ( A ∩B ) , ( c ) P ( A ) , ( d ) P ( A ∪ B ) .
' '

1 7 7 41
ANS : ( a ) ( b ) ( c ) ( d )
3 48 16 48

3. A game is played with an ordinary six−sided die . A player throwsthis die ,∧if the result is 2 ,3 , 4∨¿

5 , that result is the playe r ' s score . If the result is 1∨6 , the player throws thedie a second time∧the

∑ of the two numbers resulting ¿ both throws isthe playe r ' s score . Events A∧B are defined as
' 1
follows : A :the playe r s score is 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ,∨9 ; B:the player has two throws . Show that P ( A )= . Find
3

( a ) P ( A ∩B ) , ( b ) P ( A ∪ B ) , ( c ) P ( A|B ) , ( d ) P ( B|A ' ) .

Statistics for A-Levels

 1 1 1 1
ANS : ( a ) ( b ) ( c ) ( d )
6 2 2 4

4. A class of twenty pupils consist of 12 girls∧8 boys . For a discussion session four ' ' officer s' ' are ¿

'' ' ' '' '' '' ''

chosen at random as ' ' Chairma n , Rando m , Propose r ∧' ' Oppose r . Find , giving your answers

correct ¿three significant figures ,

( a ) the probability that all four officers are girls ,

( b ) the probability that two officers are girls∧two are boys ,

( c ) the probability that the proposer∧Opposer are bothgirls ,

( d ) the probability that the proposer∧Opposer are of opposite sex given that tehChairman∧¿

Recorder are both girls .

ANS : ( a ) 0 ∙ 102 ( b ) 0∙ 381 ( c ) 0 ∙ 347 ( d ) 0 ∙ 523

5. Anexperiment is carried out with three coins .Two of the coins are fair . so taht the probability of

' 1
obtaining a ' hea d on any throw is , whilethe third coin is baised so that the probability of obtaining
2

1
a ' hea d' on any throw is . The three coins are thrown ,∧events A∧B are defined as follows : A
4

occurs if all three coins show the same result ; B occursif the baised coin shows a ' hea d ' . Find ( a ) P ( A ) ,

Statistics for A-Levels

( b ) P ( A ∪ B ) , ( c ) P ( A' ∩B ) .The random variable N denotes the number of ' hea ds' showing as a result

of the experiment beingcarried out . Tabulate the probability distributionof N ,∧hence∨otherwise

calculate E ( N ) .

1 7 3
ANS : ( a ) ( b ) ( c )
4 16 16

6.[ ¿ this question , give your answers ∈decimal¿, correct ¿three significant figures . ]

A choir has 7 sopranos , 6 altos , 3 tenors∧4 basses .The sopranos∧alots are women∧the tenors

¿ basses are men. At a particular rehearsal ,three members of the choir are chosen at random ¿ make

the tea .

( a ) Find the probability that all three tenors are chosen .

( b ) Find the probability that exactly one bass is chosen .

( c ) Find the conditional probability that two women are chosen , given that exactly one bass is chosen .

( d ) Find the probability that the chosen groupcontains exactly one tenor∨exactaly one bass ( ¿ bot ) .

ANS : ( a ) 8 ∙ 77 ×10−4 ( b ) 0 ∙ 421 ( c ) 0 ∙650 ( d ) 0 ∙642

7.¿ a computer game player by a single player , the player has ¿ find , within a ¿ time, the path

through a maze shownon the computer screen . Onthe first occasion that a particular player plays the

game ,the computer shows a simple maze ,∧the probability that the player succeeds∈finding the
Statistics for A-Levels
 3
path∈the timeallowed is . Onsubsequent occaissions , the maze shown depends on the result of the
4

previous game . If the player succeeded onthe previous occasion , thenext maze is harder ,∧the

probability that the player succeeds is one half of the probability of success on the previous occasion.

If the player failed on the previous occasion , a simple maze is shown∧the probability of the player

3
succeedingis again . The player playsthree games .
4

27
( a ) Show that the probability that the player succeeds∈all three games is .
512

( b ) Find the probability that teh player succeeds∈exactly one of the games .

( c ) Find the probability that the player does not have two consecutive successes .

( d ) Find the conditional probability that the player has two consecutive successes given that the

player has exactly two successes .

9 83 17
ANS : ( b ) (c ) (d )
32 128 37

8.¿ a lottery there are 24 prizes allocated at random ¿ 24 prize−winners. Ann, Ben∧Cal are three

of the prize−winners. Of the prizes , 4 are cars , 8 are bicycles∧12 are watches . Show that the

10
probability that Ann gets a car ∧Ben gets either a bicycle∨a watch is .Giving each answer either
69

Statistics for A-Levels

as a fraction∨as a decimal correct ¿ 3 significant figures , find

( a ) the probability that both Ann∧Ben get cars, giventhat Cal gets a car ,

( b ) the probability that either Ann∨Cal ( ¿ both ) gets a car ,

( c ) the probability that Ann gets a car ∧Ben gets either a car∨a bicycle ,

( d ) the probability that Ann gets a car giventhat Ben gets either a car∨a bicycle .

3 43 11 11
ANS : ( a ) (b ) (c ) (d)
253 138 138 69

9. A study of thenumbers of male∧female children∈ families∈ a certain population is being carried out .

( a ) A simplemodel isthat each child ∈any family is equally likely ¿ be male os female ,∧that

the sex of each child isindependent of the sex of any previous children∈the family . Using this

model calculatethe probability that ,∈a randomly chosen family of 4 children,

( i ) there will be 2 male∧2 females ,

( ii ) there will be exactly 1 female given that there ia at least one female .

( b ) An alternative model is that the first child ∈any family is equally likely ¿ be male∨female ,

but that , for any subsequent children, the probability that they will be of the same sex as the

3
previous child is . Using this model calculatethe probability that ,∈a randomly chosen family
5

of 4 children ,
Statistics for A-Levels
( i ) all four will be of the same sex ,

( ii ) no two consecitive children will be of the same sex ,

( iii ) there will be 2 males∧2 females .

3 4
ANS : ( a )( i ) ( ii )
8 15

27 8 38
( b )( i ) ( ii ) ( iii )
125 125 125

10.¿ a probability experiment ,three containers have the following contents .

A jar contains 2 white dice∧3 black dice.

A white box contains 5 red balls∧3 green balls .

A black box contains 4 red balls∧3 greenballs .

One dieis taken at random ¿the jar . If the die is white ,two balls are taken¿ the white box , at

random∧without replacement . If the die isblack ,two balls are taken¿ the black box , at random

¿ without replacement . EventsW ∧M are defined ae follows .

W : A white die istaken ¿ the jar

M :One red ball∧one green ball are obtained .

15
Show that P ( M|W )= .
28

Statistics for A-Levels

 Find , giving each of your answers as an exact fraction∈its lowest terms ,

( i ) P ( M ∩W ) ,

( ii ) P ( W | M ) ,

( iii ) P ( W ∪ M ) .

Allthe dice∧balls are now placed∈a single container ,∧four objects aretaken at random , each

object being replaced before the next one is taken . Find the probability that one object of each colour

is obtained .

3 5 26 243
ANS : ( i ) ( ii ) (iii ) ;
14 13 35 5000

11. Events A, B and C satisfy these condition:

P(A) =0.6, P(B)=0.8, P( B|A) =0.45, P(B and C)=0.28.
Calculate
(a) P(A and B), (b) P( C|B), (c) P( A|B).

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 0.27 (b) 0.35 (c) 0.3375

12. A class consists of seven boys and nine girls. Two different members of the class are chosen at
random. A is the event {the first person is a girl}, and B is the event { the second person is a girl}.
Find the probabilities of
(a) B|A, (b) B ' |A, (c) B | A ' , (d) B ' | A ' , (e) B.

Is it true that

(f) P ( B| A )+ P ( B'| A ) =1 ,(g) P ( B| A )+ P ( B| A' )=1?

8 7 3 2 9
Answer: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Yes (g) No
15 15 5 5 16

13. A weather forecaster classifies all days as wet or dry. She estimates that the probability that 1 June
next year is wet is 0.4. I f any particular day in June is wet, the probability that the next day is wet
is 0.6; otherwise the probability that the next day is wet is 0.3. find the probability that, next year,

(a) The first two days of June are both wet,

(b) June 2nd is wet,

(c) At least one of the first three days of June is wet.

Answer: (a)0.24 (b)0.42 (c) 0.706

Statistics for A-Levels

14. Two chess players, K1 and K2, are playing each other in a series of games. The probability that K1
wins the first game is 0.3. If K1 wins any game, the probability that he wins the next is 0.4;
otherwise the probability is 0.2. Find the probability that K1 wins

(a) the first two games, (b) at least one of the first two games,

(c) the first three games, (d) exactly one of the first three games.

The result of any game can be a win for K1, a win for K2, or a draw. The probability that any one
game is drawn is 0.5, independent of the result of all previous games. Find the probability that,
after two games,

(e) K1 won the first and K2 the second, (f) each won one game,

(g) each has won the same number of games.

Answer: (a) 0.12 (b) 0.44 (c) 0.048 (d) 0.34 (e) 0.03 (f) 0.07 (g)0.32

15. Given that P(A) =0.75, P( B|A) =0.8 and P( B| A ' ) =0.6, calculate P(B) and P( A| B) .

Answer: 0.75, 0.8

16. For any events A and B, write P(A and B) and P(B) in terms of P(A), P( A ' ¿ P( B| A)and p( B| A ' ) .
P ( A ) P ( B| A )
Deduce Bayes’ theorem: P( A| B) =
P ( A ) P ( B| A )+ P ( A ) P ( B| A )
' '

Statistics for A-Levels

17. Bag A contains 1 red ball and 1 black ball, and bag B contains 2 red balls; all four balls are
indistinguishable apart from their color. One ball is chosen at random from A and is transferred to
B. One ball is then chosen at random from B and it’s transferred to A.

(a) Draw a tree diagram to illustrate the possibilities for the colors of the balls transferred from A
to B and then from B to A.
(b) Find the probability that, after both transfers, the black ball is in bag A.

2
Answer: (b)
3
18. The probability that an event A occurs is P(A) =0.3. The event B is independent of A and P(B)
=0.4.
(a) Calculate P(A or B or both occur).
Event C is defined to be the event that neither A nor B occurs.
(b) Calculate P ( C| A ' ), where A’ is the event that A does not occur.

Answer: (a) 0.58 (b) 0.6

19. Half of the A-level students in a community college study science and 30% study mathematics. Of
those who study science, 40%study mathematics.
(a) What proportion of the A-level students study both mathematics and science?
(b) Calculate the proportion of those students who study mathematics but do not study science.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 20% (b) 10%
20. Three friends, Ahmed, Benjamin and Chi, live in a town where there are only three cafes. They
arrange to meet at a café one evening but do not specify the name of the café. The probabilities that
they will each choose a particular café are independent. Ahmed lives close to Café Expresso and so
the probability that he will choose to go there is 5/9 whereas café Kola and Café Pepi have equal
chances of being visited by him.
Benjamin lives a long distance from Café kola and the probability that he will choose this one is
1/7, but he will choose either of the other two cafes with equal probability.
Each café has an equal chance of being visited by Chi.
(a) Show that the probability that the three friends meet at Café Expresso is 5/63 .
(b) Calculate the probabilit’ d cy that
(i) the three friends will meet at the same café.
(ii) at most two friends will meet at the same café.

23 166
Answer: (b) (i) (ii)
189 189

3 1 4
21. Two events A and B are such that P(A) ¿ , P ( B| A ) = ∧P ( B | A ) = .By use of a tree diagram, or
' '
4 5 7
otherwise, find

(a) P(A and B), (b) P(B), (c) P( A|B) .

Statistics for A-Levels

 3 9 7
Answer: (a) (b) (c)
20 35 12

22. The probability of event A occurring is P(A) =13/25. The probability of event B occurring is P(B)
=9/25. The Conditional probability of A occurring given that B has occurred is P¿

(a) Determine the following probabilities.

(i) P(A and B) (ii) P( B| A) (iii)P(A or B or both ) (iv) P( A '| B' ) .

(b) Determine P(A occurs or B does not occur) showing your working.

1 5 17
Answer: (a) (i) (ii) (iii)
5 13 25

23. In a lottery there are 24 prizes allocated at random to 24 prize-winners. Ann, Ben and Cal are
three of the prize-winners. Of the prizes, 4 are cars, 8 are bicycles and 12 are watches. Show that
10
the probability that Ann gets a car and Ben gets a bicycle or a watch is .
69

Giving each answer either as a fraction or as a decimal correct to 3 significant figures, find

(a) The probability that both Ann and Ben get cars, given that Cal gets a car,
(b) The probability that either Ann or Cal (or both) gets a car,
(c) The probability that Ann gets a car and Ben gets a car or a bicycle,
(d) The probability that Ann gets a car given that Ben gets either a car or a bicycle.

Statistics for A-Levels

 3 43 11 11
Answer: ( a ) (b ) (c ) (d )
253 138 138 69

24. In a certain part of the world there are more wet days than dry days. If a given day is wet, the
probability that the following day will also be wet is 0.8. If a given day is dry, the probability that
the following day will also be dry is 0.6.

Given that Wednesday of a particular week is dry, calculate the probability that

(a) Thursday and Friday of the same week are both wet days,
(b) Friday of the same week is a wet day.

In one season there were 44 cricket matches, each played over three consecutive days, in which the
first and third days were dry. For how many of these matches would you expect that the second
day was wet?

Answer: (a) 0.32 (b) 0.56; 8

Past Papers Questions: Probability

Q #01: A box of biscuits contains 30 biscuits, some of which are wrapped in gold foil and some of which
are unwrapped. Some of the biscuits are chocolate-covered. 12 biscuits are wrapped in gold foil,
and of these biscuits, 7 are chocolate-covered. There are 17 chocolate-covered biscuits in total.

(i) Copy and complete the table below to show the number of biscuits in each category.

Wrapped in gold foil Unwrapped Total

Chocolate-covered
Not chocolate-covered
Total 30
A biscuit is selected at random from the box.

(ii) Find the probability that the biscuit is wrapped in gold foil.
The biscuit is returned to the box. An unwrapped biscuit is then selected at random from the box.
(iii) Find the probability that the biscuit is chocolate-covered.
The biscuit is returned to the box. A biscuit is then selected at random from the box.
(iv) Find the probability that the biscuit is unwrapped, given that it is chocolate-covered.
The biscuit is returned to the box. Nasir then takes 4 biscuits without replacement from the box.
Statistics for A-Levels
(v) Find the probability that he takes exactly 2 wrapped biscuits.

Q#02: Judy and Steve play a game using five cards numbered 3, 4, 5, 8, 9. Judy chooses a card at
random, looks at the number on it and replaces the card. Then Steve chooses a card at random,
looks at the number on it and replaces the card. If their two numbers are equal the score is 0.
Otherwise, the smaller number is subtracted from the larger number to give the score.
(i) Show that the probability that the score is 6 is 0.08.
(ii) Draw up a probability distribution table for the score.
(iii) Calculate the mean score.
If the score is 0 they play again. If the score is 4 or more Judy wins. Otherwise Steve wins. They
continue playing until one of the players wins.
(iv) Find the probability that Judy wins with the second choice of cards.
(v) Find an expression for the probability that Judy wins with the nth choice of cards.

Q #03: Two unbiased tetrahedral dice each have four faces numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. The two dice are
thrown together and the sum of the numbers on the faces on which they land is noted. Find the
expected number of occasions on which this sum is 7 or more when the dice are thrown together
200 times.

Q#04: There are three sets of traffic lights on Karinne’s journey to work. The independent probabilities
that Karinne has to stop at the first, second and third set of lights are 0.4, 0.8 and 0.3 respectively.

Statistics for A-Levels

(i) Draw a tree diagram to show this information.
(ii) Find the probability that Karinne has to stop at each of the first two sets of lights but does not have
to stop at the third set.
(iii) Find the probability that Karinne has to stop at exactly two of the three sets of lights.
(iv) Find the probability that Karinne has to stop at the first set of lights, given that she has to stop at
exactly two sets of lights.

Q #05: A die is based so that the probability of throwing a 5 is 0.75 and the probabilities of throwing a 1,
2, 3, 4 or 6 are all equal.
(i) The die is thrown three times. Find the probability that the result is a 1 followed by a 5 followed by
any even number.
(ii) Find the probability that, out of 10 throws of this die, at least 8 throws result in a 5.
(iii) The die is thrown 90 times. Using an approximation, find the probability that a 5 is thrown more
than 60 times.

Q# 06: Every day Eduardo tries to phone his friend. Every time he phones there is a 50% chance that
his friend will answer. If his friend answers, Eduardo does not phone again on the day. If his friend
does not answer, Eduardo tries again in a few minutes’ time. If his friend has not answered after 4
attempts, Eduardo does not try again on that day.

(i) Draw a tree diagram to illustrate this situation.

(ii) Let X be the number of unanswered phone calls made by Eduardo on a day. Copy and complete the
table showing the probability distribution of X.

X 01 2 3 4
P(X=x) 3
4
(iii) Calculate the expected number of unanswered phone calls on a day.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#07: In country A 30% of people who drink tea have sugar in it. In country B 65% of people who drink
tea have sugar in it. There are 3 million people in country A who drink tea and 12 million people in
country B who drink tea. A person is chosen at random from these 15 million people.
(i) Find the probability that the person chosen is from country A.
(ii) Find the probability that the person chosen does not have sugar in their tea.
(iii) Given that the person chosen does not have sugar in their tea, find the probability that the person
is from country B.

Q#08: Jamie is equally likely to attend or not to attend a training session before a football match. If he
attends, he is certain to be chosen for the team which plays in the match. If he does not, attend,
there is a probability of 0.6 that he is chosen for the team.

(i) Find the probability that Jamie is chosen for the team.
(ii) Find the condition probability that Jamie attended the training session, given that he was chosen
for the team.

Q#09: The probability that Henk goes swimming on any day is 0.2. On a day when he goes swimming,
the probability that Henk has burgers for supper is 0.75. On a day when he does not go swimming
the probability that he has burger for supper is x. This information is shown on the following tree
diagram.
Statistics for A-Levels Burgers
0.75
0.2 Goes swimming
 Burgers
Does not go
swimming
No burgers

The probability that Henk has burger for supper on any day is 0.5.

(i) Find x.
(ii) Given that Henk has burger for supper, find the probability that he went swimming that day.

Q#10: Boxes of sweet contain toffees and chocolates. Box A contains 6 toffees and 4 chocolates, box B
contains 5 toffees and 3 chocolates, and box C contains 3 toffees and 7 chocolates. One of the boxes
is chosen at random and two sweets are taken out, one after the other , and eaten.

(i) Find the probability that they are both toffees.

(ii) Given that they are both toffees, find the probability that they both came from box A.

Q#11: The people living in 3 houses are classified as children (C), parents (P) or grandparents (G). The
numbers living in each house are shown in the table below.

House number 1 House number 2 House number 3

4C, 1P, 2G 2C, 2P, 3G 1C, 1G
(i) All the people in all 3 houses meet for a party. One person at the party is chosen at random.
Calculate the probability of choosing a grandparent.

Statistics for A-Levels

(ii) A house is chosen at random. Then a person in that house is chosen at random. Using a tree
diagram, or otherwise, calculate the probability that the person chosen is a grandparent.
(iii) Given that the person chosen by the method in part (ii) is a grandparent, calculate the probability
that there is also a parent living in the house.

Q#12: Tom travels to work either by bus or by train or by bicycle. The probability that he travels by bus
is 0.3 by trains is 0.5 and by bicycle is 0.2. The probability that he arrives in time is 0.6 if the
travels by bus 0.9, if he travels by train and 0.8 if he travels by bicycle.

(i) Draw a tree diagram to show this information.

(ii) Find the probability that Tom does not arrive at work in time.
(iii) Find the conditional probability Tom travelled by bus, given that he does not arrive at work in
time.

Topic#04 Permutation and Combination

Pre-requirement:
Before the start of this topic, the concept of factorial (!) must be clear.
Factorial “! = It is product of positive integers from that number till 1.
0!=1; it is by definition.
2!=2 x 1=2
5 !=5x4x3x2x1=120
90!=¿90 x 89 x 88 x ………….. x 2 x 1= 99 x 98!= 99 x 98 x 97!
n!=¿n(n-1)(n-2)x…….x1=n(n-1)(n-2) !
(2n!)=(2n)(2n-1)(2n-2)(2n-3)x…………..n!x(n-1)(n-2)(n-3)x………3x2x1
Now to understand Permutation and Combination, Both are the selection of
required objects from a number of objects given with or without order.
Statistics for A-Levels
 In order to understand the difference between permutation and combination, let
follow this example,
5 students of A-levels bring the exactly same S-1 book and write their names inside
and place these in bookshelf. The books are shuffled and again placed in bookshelf.
None of them will be able to sort out his book on first attempt with surety because all
are identical and their order is not showing any difference so it will be combination.
5 students of A-levels bring 5 different books (physics, chemistry, Mathematics,
biology, economics) and write their name inside and place these in bookshelf. The
books are shuffled and place again in the shelf. Everyone will be able to pick his book
with surety because they are all distinct and their order is different on different
arrangements.
So it is permutation.
Combination: It is the selection of objects from a number of objects in any
order. The order of selection that which will be first or second will not matter. If by
changing order, no new sequence or pattern is formed then it will be combination.
Let “n” is the total number of objects and “r” is the number of objects to be selected
n!
from that total then nC = r ! ( n−r ) !
r

For example,
i. If 3 students are to be selected from 10 students then they may be any three in any
order.
10 !
Solution: 10C = 3 ! ( 10−3 ) ! =120
3

ii. Selecting 5 sweets from a packet of 20 sweets which are of different colours.
20 !
Solution: 20C = 5 ! ( 20−5 ) ! =15504
5

iii. Attempting any 8 questions from a total of 10 questions.

10 !
Solution: 10C = 8 ! ( 10−8 ) ! =45
8

Permutation: It is the selection of objects from a number of objects in

specific order. The order of selection that which will be first or second will matter. If
by changing order, new sequence or pattern is formed then it will be permutation.
Let “n” is the total number of objects and “r” is the number of objects to be selected
n!
from that total then n P = ( n−r ) !
r

Examples:
I. making 3 digit number from digits 1,2,3,4,5,6
Solution: 6 P =120
3

II. Making possible words from “sword”.

Solution: 5 P =5 !=120
5

III. Possible arrangements of letters ABC

Solution: 3 P =3 !=¿
3

Note:

Statistics for A-Levels

 In simple words, if in any question, the order/sequence/pattern of
selection of objects can matter the situation then it is permutation and if
not then it is combination.
Permutation is of two types,
i. with repetition
If an experiment is performed in ‘r’ ways in n-times then total possible ways
=r x r x r x …………=r n
ii. Without repetition
If an experiment is performed in ‘m’ ways then in ‘n’ ways then in ‘r’ ways and
then in ‘t’ ways then the total number of possible ways = m x n x r x t.
For example,
a) if 4 students are to be seated then total possible ways will be
i. With repetition, total ways= 4 x 4 x 4 x 4=44=256
Or
In terms of permutation formula,
P41 × P14 × P41 × P41 =4 ×4 × 4 × 4=256
Or
On 1st place, anyone can be. Then on second place the same number or any other
can be placed as repetition is allowed and on the third and fourth place same options
will be there.
4 4 4 4
P1 P1 P1 P1

= 4 x 4 x 4 x 4 =256
ii. Without repetition, total ways= 4 x 3 x 2 x 1=4!=24ways.
Or
In terms of formula, P44 =24
Or
On 1st place 4 choices are there, on 2 nd place 3 choices are left as one is already used
and repetition is not allowed. On 3rd place 2 choices and on 4th place 1 choice is left.
P41 P31 P21 P11

= 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 =24
b) 1, 2, 3 are three different digits and these can arranged like 123, 132, 2 13, 231, 312,
321. Total six arrangements=3 x 2 x 1=6 are possible if repetition is not allowed.
If repetition is allowed then, total possible ways=3 x 3 x 3=33=27
c) If the word ‘MEGA’ is to be arranged then
With repetition, total words=4 x 4 x 4 x 4=256
Without repetition, total words=4 x 3 x 2 x 1=24
For repeated objects:
If any element is repeated then the total possible ways will be divided by factorial of
that number of times it appears in the object.
Examples:
a) How many 5 letters words can be made from the word ‘photo’ if repetition is not
allowed?
As there are 5 alphabets including two ‘o’ so
5!
Total words= 2! = 60 or P55 ÷2 !
Statistics for A-Levels
 b) How many 10 letters words can be made from the word ‘statistics’ if repetition is not
allowed?
As there are 10 alphabets including two ‘I’, three‘t’ and three‘s’ so
10 ! P10
Total words= 2!× 3! × ×3 ! or 10
=50400
2! × 3!× 3 !
c) How many 9 letters words can be made from the word ‘POSSESSES’ if repetition is
not allowed?
As there are 9 alphabets including two ‘E’ and five ‘S’ so
9! P99
Total words= 2!× 5! or =1512
2! × 5!
d) How many 6 digits number can be made from the digits ‘1, 2, 2, 4, 4, 6’ if repetition
is not allowed?
As there are 6 digits including two ‘2’ and two ‘4’ so
6
6! P6
Total words= 2!× 2! or =180
2!× 2!

Conditional permutation:
Examples:
a) How many words can be formed from the word ‘STATISTICS’ if
i. Repetition is not allowed.
ii. Start and end with ‘T’
iii. All ‘S’ are together
iv. Vowels are together
v. Vowels are separated
Solution:
10 !
i. 2! × 3! × 3 ! =50400
ii. asstart ∧end with T so two positions are already ¿ .∈the middle 8
positionsremaining 8letters will be replaced .
star middle End
t
T T
3× 8 !×2 8!
Total options= 3! × 3 !×2 ! or 3! × 2! =
iii. As there are 3 ‘S’ so a bundle of these “s” will become one object and there are 7
others alphabets so these ‘S’ can be adjusted by the following model diagram
−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿
The 7 other alphabet can be placed at * positions and the bundle of ‘S’ can be
placed on anyone of “–“positions. 7 other alphabet with one bundle of ‘S’ will make
total objects equal to 8.
As all ‘S’ are same so ‘SSS’ is only one arrangement.
Total arrangements= P81 ×7 !=8 !
iv. There are 3 vowels and 7 consonants where 2 vowels and 6 (3+3) consonants are
repeated.
These can be arranged by following model,
−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿

Statistics for A-Levels

 The 7 consonants can be placed at * positions and the bundle of ‘vowels’ can be
placed on anyone of “–“positions.
Total arrangements=
(Arrangement of consonants)(Placing vowels at any one of 8 positions)(Within
7 ! × P81 ×3 !
vowels arrangement)÷ ( repeated elements )= =
3 ! × 3! × 2!
v. These can be arranged by following model,
−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿
The 7 consonants can be placed at * positions and the ‘vowels’ can be placed on
any three of “–“positions as they are separated.
Total arrangements=
vi. (Arrangement of consonants)(Placing vowels at any three of 8 positions)
÷ ( repeated elements )
8
7 ! × P3
¿ =
3! × 3 ! ×2 !

b) Ahmad, Babar and Chaudhry have written 4, 6 and 5 books respectively. Calculate
possible arrangements if
i. Without restriction
ii. Babar books are together.
iii. Chaudhry’s books are separated( not next to each other)
Solution:
i. Total books=15 so total arrangement=15 !
ii. By Babar=6 books, not by Babar=9 books
The 9 other books can be placed at * positions and the bundle of ‘Babar books’ can
be placed on anyone of “–“positions. 9 other books with one bundle of ‘Babar
books’ will make total objects equal to 10.
As all ‘Babar books’ are different so 6! will be arrangement of his books in the
bundle.

−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿
Total arrangement=9! × P101 ×6 !=10 ! ×6 !=¿

iii. By Chaudhry=5 books, not by Chaudhry=10 books

The 10 other books can be placed at * positions and the ‘Chaudhry’s books’ can be
placed on any five of 11 “–“positions.
−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿−¿
Total arrangement=10! × P115 =¿

c) A number is to be formed from the digits 1, 2, 4,5,6,7. Calculate the total possible
numbers if repetition is not allowed.
i. Even numbers
ii. 3digit Odd numbers
iii. 4 digit number Divisible by 4
iv. A numbers greater than 400000
Solution:
i. As it is not mentioned that how many digits even number is to be
calculated so all options will be calculated.
Option A: single digit even number= 3(as 2, 4, 6 are the digits)
Statistics for A-Levels
 Option B: Two digit even number=the second digit (last digit) should be even digit.
As there are three even digits so any one can be placed at that position. After using
one even digit for second position, there will be 5 left from the list given and any one
can be placed at first position. So mathematically,
P51 P31

= 5 X 3= 15;
Option C: Three digit even number= the third digit (last digit) should be even digit.
As there are three even digits so any one can be placed at that position. After using
one even digit for third position, there will be 5 left from the list given and any one
can be placed at first position and now 4 be left from which any one can be placed at
second position. So mathematically,
5 4 3
P1 P1 P1

= 5 x 4 x 3 =60
Option D: Four digit even number= the fourth digit (last digit) should be even digit.
As there are three even digits so any one can be placed at that position. After using
one even digit for fourth position, there will be 5 left from the list given and any one
can be placed at first position and now 4 be left from which any one can be placed at
second position and now 3 are left from which one can be placed at third position .
So mathematically,
5 4 3 3
P1 P1 P1 P1

=5 x 4 x 3 x 3=180
Similarly, option E= five digit even number=
P51 P41 P31 P21 P31

=5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 3=360
Option F= six digit even number=
5 4 3 2 1 3
P1 P1 P1 P1 P1 P1

=5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 x 3=360
Total options=3+15+60+180+360+360=978
ii. 3 digit odd number
As there are three odd digits (1, 5, 7) so last position will be occupied by one of these
odd digits. Thus
Total 3 digits odd number=
5 4 3
P1 P1 P1

= 5 x 4 x 3 =60
iii. If the last two digits of a number are divisible by 4 then the whole number is
divisible by 4.
For these always make columns in which last two digits will be fixed from the given
list which is divisible by 4.
P1 1 2
4 3
P1

P1
4
P1
3
1 6

Statistics for A-Levels

 P1
4
P1
3
2 4

P1
4
P1
3
5 2

P1
4
P1
3
5 6

P41 P31 6 4

P41 P31 7 2

P41 P31 7 6

Total number= (4 x 3) x 8=96

The red entries are integers not options. Two integers are used at these positions and
first two will be filled by using permutation. There are 8 such options so total =96
iv. There are 4 options (4 0r 5 or 6 or 7) for the first place as 1and 2 cannot be at this
place otherwise required number will be less than 400000.
P41 P51 P41 P31 P21 P11

= 4 x 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1=480
d) A group of 12 people consisting of 6 married couples is arranged at random in a line.
Find the possibilities of standing each wife next to her husband.
Solution:
As there are 6 couples and each couple has two arrangements (HW or WH) so total
possibilities=6! × ¿

n!
Combination: C = r ! (n−r )!
n
r

 If order is not important then it is combination.

Examples:
I. Selecting 3 students from a class of 20 students is a combination because it may be
any 3 not in any specific order.
20 20 !
C3 = =1140
3 ! (20−3) !
II. Selecting 3 girls and 4 boys from a group of 10 girls and 12 boys. It is topic of
combination as there is no restriction of which girl and which boy is to be selected so
any 3 girls and any 4 boys will be our requirement.
Total possible ways of selection= C 10 12
3 ×C 4 =59400

i. Selecting 6 batsmen, 4 bowlers and 1 wicketkeeper from a squad of 10 batsmen, 8

bowlers and 3 wicketkeepers. It is topic of combination as there is no restriction of
which batsmen, which bowler and which wicketkeeper is to be selected so any 6
batsmen, any 4 bowlers and any 1 wicketkeeper will be our requirement.
Total possible ways of selection= C 10 8 3
6 ×C 4 ×C 1=44100

ii. There is a packet of sweets in which there are 20 choclates,15 toffees and 12 jellies. 3
sweets are to be selected from the packet, calculate the possible ways if
a. All chocolates
b. All different
Statistics for A-Levels
 c. At least one toffee
d. None is jelly
Solution:
a. All chocolates = C 20
3 =¿

b. All different means 1 from each=C 20 15 12

1 ×C 1 × C 1 =¿

c. At least one toffee means , 1 toffee and 2 others or 2 toffees and 1 other or 3 toffees=
15 32 15 32 15
C 1 ×C 2 +C 2 × C1 +C3 =¿
d. ¿ ¿=
Conditional combination:
a) A committee of 4 people is to be formed from 8 men and 7 women. Calculate the
total number of possible ways,
i. Without restriction
ii. At least one man and one women
iii. There is one married couple, form the committee in which both will not be in
committee.
Solution:
i. Any 4 can be in committee from 15 people=C 15 4 =

ii. Total options= 1m3w or 2m2w or 3m1w =C 1 × C73 +C 82 × C72 +C 83 ×C 71=¿

8

iii. Total options- committee in which both are part =C 15 2

4 −C 2 ×C 2 =¿
13

Solved Examples:
1. From a group of 7 men and 6 women, five persons are to be selected to form a
committee so that at least 3 men are there on the committee. In how many ways can
it be done?

Solution: At least 3 men in committee mean either 3 or 4 or 5 from 7 men but there
is no restriction for women. When 3 men then 2 women, for 4 men then 1 woman
and for 5 men no woman

Required ways= C 73 × C62 +C 74 ×C 61 +C75 ×C 60=756

2.  In how many different ways can the letters of the word 'LEADING' be arranged in
such a way that the vowels always come together?

Solution: The word 'LEADING' has 7 different letters.

When the vowels EAI are always together, they can be supposed to form one
letter.

Then, we have to arrange the letters LNDG (EAI).

Now, 5 (4 + 1 = 5) letters can be arranged in 5! = 120 ways.

Statistics for A-Levels

 The vowels (EAI) can be arranged among themselves in 3! = 6 ways.

 Required number of ways = (120 x 6) = 720.

3.  In how many different ways can the letters of the word 'CORPORATION' be
arranged so that the vowels always come together?

In the word 'CORPORATION', we treat the vowels OOAIO as one letter.

Thus, we have CRPRTN (OOAIO).

This has 7 (6 + 1) letters of which R occurs 2 times and the rest are different.

Now, 5 vowels in which O occurs 3 times and the rest are different, can be
arranged

= Required number of ways =

7 ! ×5 !
2! × 3 !
= 50400.

4.  Out of 7 consonants and 4 vowels, how many words of 3 consonants and 2 vowels
can be formed?

Solution: Number of ways of selecting (3 consonants out of 7) and (2 vowels out of

4)

    = (7C3 x 4C2)
7x6x5 4x3
= x
3x2x1 2x1

Statistics for A-Levels

 = 210.

Number of groups, each having 3 consonants and 2 vowels = 210.

Each group contains 5 letters.

Number of ways of
arranging  = 5!
5 letters among themselves
=5x4x3x2x1
= 120.

 Required number of ways = (210 x 120) = 25200.

Or

First 5 letters will be selected from given numbers according to condition and then
those 5 letters will be arranged.

No of ways= (7C3 x 4C2)x 5!=25200.

5.  In how many ways can the letters of the word 'LEADER' be arranged?

Solution: As there are 6 letters in which 2E are repeated,

6!
So total arrangements= 2! =360

4. In a group of 6 boys and 4 girls, four children are to be selected. In

how many different ways can they be selected such that at least one
boy should be there?

Solution: Possible ways for selecting 4 children with given

condition is [1boy and 3girls or 2boys and 2girls or 3boys and 1 girl
or 4boys and no girl]

= (6C1 x 4C3) + (6C2 x 4C2) + (6C3 x 4C1) + (6C4)

= (6C1 x 4C1) + (6C2 x 4C2) + (6C3 x 4C1) + (6C2)

Statistics for A-Levels

= (24 + 90 + 80 + 15)
= 209.

7.  How many 3-digit numbers can be formed from the digits 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9,
which are divisible by 5 and none of the digits is repeated?

Solution: Since each desired number is divisible by 5, so we must have 5 at the

unit place. So, there is 1 way of doing it.

The tens place can now be filled by any of the remaining 5 digits (2, 3, 6, 7, 9). So,
there are 5 ways of filling the tens place.

The hundreds place can now be filled by any of the remaining 4 digits. So, there
are 4 ways of filling it.
4
P1 1
P1
P15

= Required number of numbers = ( 5 x 4 x 1) = 20.

8.  In how many ways a committee, consisting of 5 men and 6 women can be formed
from 8 men and 10 women?

Solution:

Required number of ways = (8C5 x 10C6)

= (8C3 x 10C4)
8 x 7 x 6 10 x 9 x 8 x 7
x
=  3 x 2 x 1 4x3x2x1
= 11760.

Statistics for A-Levels

9.  A box contains 2 white balls, 3 black balls and 4 red balls. In how many ways can
3 balls be drawn from the box, if at least one black ball is to be included in the
draw?

Solution:

All possible outcome will be

(1 black and 2 non-black) or (2 black and 1 non-black) or (3 black).

 Required number of
= (3C1 x 6C2) + (3C2 x 6C1) + (3C3)
ways

3 6x5 3x2
= + x6 +1
x 2x1 2x1
= (45 + 18 + 1)
= 64.

10. In how many different ways can the letters of the word 'DETAIL' be arranged in
such a way that the vowels occupy only the odd positions?

Solution:

There are 6 letters in the given word, out of which there are 3 vowels and 3
consonants.

Let us mark these positions as under:

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Now, 3 vowels can be placed at any of the three places 1, 3, 5.

Also, the 3 consonants can be arranged at the remaining 3 position

Total number of ways =3! X 3! = (6 x 6) = 36.

11.  In how many ways can a group of 5 men and 2 women be made out of a total of 7
men and 3 women?

Statistics for A-Levels

 Solution:

Required number of ways =

(7C5 x 3C2) = (7C2 x 3C1) =63

12.  How many 4-letter words with or without meaning, can be formed out of the
letters of the word, 'LOGARITHMS', if repetition of letters is not allowed?

Solution:

'LOGARITHMS' contains 10 different letters.

Required =
= 10P4
= (10 x 9 x 8 x 7)
= 5040.

Solved questions from past papers:

1. Four−figure numbers are¿ be formed ¿ the digits 4 , 5 ,6 ,7 , 8 , 9. For each of the three cases below ,

find how many different four−figer numbers can be formed .

( a ) Any digit may appear up ¿ four time∈thenumber .

( b ) No digit may appear more than once∈the number .

( c ) Thereis at least one repeated digit , but no digit appears more thantwice∈thenumber . Find the

probability that a four−figure number chosen at random ¿ the set of numbers∈case ( a ) above

contains at least one 6.

Solution:

a) As Repitition is allowed so total possibilities=6 ×6 × 6 ×6=1296

b) As Repitition is NOT allowed so total possibilities=6 × 5× 4 × 3=360
c) At least one digit repeated but no digit more than twice

¿ One digit repeated∧two others+two digit are repeated=( 6 × 6 ×5 × 4+6 × 6 ×5 ×5 ) ÷ 2=810

Statistics for A-Levels

 P¿

contains at least one 6 ¿=

[Total−P ( No 6 ) ] = [1296−( 5 ×5 ×5 ×5 ) ] = 671
Total 1296 1296

671
ANS : ( a ) 1296 ( b ) 360 ( c ) 810 ,
1296

2.( a )( i ) Find the total number of different selections of 4 apples ¿ 12 apples.

( ii ) If 3 of these12 apples are bruised ,∧a random selection of 4 applesis made , find the probability

that the selection will contain precisely one bruised apple .

Solution:

a) 12C =495 4

3C × 9 C 28
b)
1 3
=
12C 4
55

28
( b ) ANS : ( a )( i ) 495 ( ii )
55

3. A canditate sitting this paper istold ¿ answer 5 of the 7 questions∈Section A ,∧3 questions ¿

the 5 options∈Section B , where not more than 2 questions ¿ the same optioncan be chosen .

Assuming that he answers 8 questions altogether , find how many different combinations of questions

he could attempt .

Solution:

7C × 5C × 3C × 5C × 4 C 18900
AABAABBA∨ ABBAABAA∨BABAABAA ∨AABAABAB= 2 2 1 1 2
= =9450
2 2

ANS :9450

[Link] balls are ¿ be placed ∈three different boxes , not necessarily with one ball∈each box . Any

box can hold one , two∨all three balls . Find the number of ways the balls can be placed .

( a ) if they are all of the same colour∧therefore indistinguishable .

( b ) if they are all of different colours .

Solution:

a) There are three options ;

One box contains all three∧other two empty∨one contains one∧other contain2∧third empty
¿ one ∈each box=3C +3C ×2C +3C × 2C × 1C =1+3+6=10
3 1 2 1 1 1

b) As boxes are different as well as balls so let boxes are A , B , C∧colors are red , blue∧ yellow .
Possible options :
i . All balls are∈box A∨B∨¿ C∨3C =3 1

ii . ( Any one ¿ A∧other two∈ B∨C )∨( Any one ¿ B∧other two∈ A∨C ) ∨¿
Statistics for A-Levels
 ( Any one ¿ C∧other two∈B∨ A )=3×(3 ¿ ¿C 1 × 2C × 2)=18¿ 2

iii . One∈each box=3C ×2C ×1C =6 Total possible options if balls∧colors are different=3+18+ 6=27
1 1 1

ANS: ( a ) 10 ( b ) 27

3. Find how many even numbers between 3000∧7000 can be written downusing the digits 1 ,3 , 6 , 8

( a ) if no digit can occur more than once∈any number ,

( b ) if repetition of digits is allowed .

Solution:

a) On first position1∧8 can not be placed∧1∧3 can not be last digit as the number is even also .

1 2P 1P 2P =
1 1 1 1 ×2 ×1× 2=4(if starts¿ digit 3)

1 2P 1
1P 1
1
= 1 ×2 ×1× 1=2( As the first digit is 6∧the last digit is 8¿be even∧withinthe range)

Total options=4+2=6

c) ¿

options∈the fourth digit place ¿∨¿

4 options are∈third ∧2 options are∈fourth digit place .

1 4 4 2
+ 1 4 4 2

¿ 32+32=64

ANS: ( a ) 6 ( b ) 64

4.( a )∈how many ways can 5 copies of a book be distributed amang10 people ,if no−one gets more

than one copy ?

( b )∈how many ways can 5 different books be distributed among10 peopleif each person can get

any number of book ?

Solution:

a) As no one gets more than one copy so 5 books will belong¿ any five out of ten .
10C =252
5

b) 10 ×10 ×10 ×10 ×10=105

5
ANS : ( a ) 252 ( b ) 10

[Link]∈how many ways each of the following choices can be made :

Statistics for A-Levels

( a ) 4 books are ¿ be chosen ¿ a list of 10 titles ¿ take away for reading during a holiday .

( b ) 20 peoplehave sent ∈winning entries for a newspaper competition ,∧three are ¿ be chosen

¿ placed∈order of merit so as ¿ reseive the 1 st , 2 nd∧3 rd prizes .

( c ) A team of 6 people is¿ be chosen ¿ a list of 10 possibles; the team consists of a1 st pair , a

2 nd pair∧a 3 rd pair , but order within each pair does not matter .

Solution:

a) As any 4 books ¿ 10 so 10C =210 4

b) for first position there are 20 chances thenfor second there are 19 choices∧for thirdthere
are 18 choice so total=20 ×19 ×18=6840
c) First pair will be selected ¿10 , second ¿ 8∧third ¿ 6 people .
¿ 10C ×8C ×10C =18900
2 2 4

ANS : ( a ) 210 ( b ) 6840 ( c ) 18900

6. Five people , of whom three are women∧two are men , are ¿ ¿ a queue . Find how many different

arrangements there are ( a ) if no two people of the same sex are¿ stand next ¿ each other , ( b ) if the

first∧last people∈the queue are both¿ be man.

Solution:

a) The arrangement will be WMWMW =3 ! ×2 !=12

b)
The arrangement will be MWWWM =Two choices for the M at first place thenwomen arrangement∧then 1 choice fo
2 ×3 ! ×1=12

ANS : ( a ) 12 ( b ) 12

7.( a ) A bookcase has four shelves with tenbooks on each shelf . Find the number of different

selectionsthat can be madeby taking two books ¿ each shelf (i . e .8 books∈all ) . Find also

the number of different selections that can be made by taking eight books ¿ each shelf ¿

books ∈all .¿

( b ) Eight cards each have a single digit written on them .The digits are 2 ,2 , 4 ,5 , 7 , 7 , 7 ,7

respectively . Find the number of different 7−digit numbers that can be formed by placing seven

of the cards side by side .

Solution:

a) Two fro each ;10C ×10C ×10C ×10C =4100625

2 2 2 2

8 ¿ each ; 10C ×10C ×10C ×10C =4100625

8 8 8 8

8!
b) Sincethere are 2twos∧4 sevens so =840
2!×4!

Statistics for A-Levels

ANS : ( a ) 4100625; 4100625 ( b ) 840

8. Each of a set of 26 cards is marked with one of the letters A ¿ Z so that each card carries a different

letter of the alphabet .Three of these cards are drawn at random. Find the number of different

selectionsthat can be made

( a ) if the cards are drawn without replacement ∧the order∈which the cards are drawn is

disregarded ,

( b ) if the cards are drawn with replacement∧the order ∈which the cards are drawnis takeninto

account .

Solution:

a) Any 3 ¿ 26 cards without replacement =26C × 25C × 24C =2600

1 1 1

b) Arrangement isconsidered so possibilities=26 P × 26P ×26 P =17576

1 1 1

ANS: ( a ) 2600 ( b ) 17576

9. Prizes are ¿ be awarded ¿ four different members of a group of eight people . Find the number of

ways∈which prizes can be awarded

( a ) if there is a 1 st prize , a 2nd prize , a3 rd prize∧a 4 th prize ,

( b ) if there are two 1 st prizes∧two 2 nd prizes .

Solution:

a) 8,7,6,5 choices for the first , second ,third ∧fourth positions so

Total possibilities=8 ×7 × 6 ×5=1680
b) there aretwo 1 st prizes∧two 2nd prizes=8C × 6C =420 2 2

ANS : ( a ) 1680 ( b ) 420

10.( a ) A panel of judges∈an essay competition has ¿ select ,∧place∈order of merit , 4 winning entries

¿ a total entry of 20.

( b ) Find thenumber of ways∈which this can be done . As a first step∈the selection ,5 finalistsare

selected , withouit being placed∈order .

( c ) Find the number of ways∈which this can be done . All 20 essays are subsequently assessed by

three panels of judges for content , accuracy∧style , respectively ,∧three special prizes are

awarded , one by each panel . Find the numbet of ways∈which this can be done , assuming that an

essay may win more than

one prize .

Statistics for A-Levels

Solution:

a) Placement of merit ∈order=20 ×19 ×18 ×17=116280

b) Any 5 finalists=20C =15504 5

c) 20C ×20C ×20C =8000

1 1 1

ANS : ( a ) 116280 ( b ) 15504 ( c ) 8000

11. Eleven cards each bear a single letter ,∧together they can be made ¿ spell the word

' ' EXAMINATIO N '' .Three cards are selected ¿the eleven cards ,∧the order of selection is not

relevent . Find how many possible selections can be made

( a ) if the three cards all bear different letters ,

( b ) if two of the three cards bear the same letter .

Solution :

EXAMINATION ; distinct letters ( E , X , M , T , O ) ; Repeated ( A , A , I , I , N , N ) =3 pairs

a) All different ; Total different letters=8 ;total possibilities=8 C =563

b) two of the three cards bear the same letter=¿

one ¿ distinct ¿∨( one pair∧one letter ¿others two pairs )
3C × 4 C
¿ 3C ×5C + 1
=15+ 6=21
1

1 1
2

ANS :56 ;21

12. A ten−digit number is formed by writtingdown the digits 0 , 1 ,2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ,8 , 9∈some order . No

number is allowed ¿ start with 0. Find how many such numbers are odd .

Solution:

¿ the ten digits five are odd digits . An odd number is possible if thelast digit is odd digit as the

number canot be started with zero so there are eight options ∈the start∧five options ∈the

end of the number .

8 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 5

=1612800

ANS :1 , 612, 800

13.¿ a certain hotel ,the lock onthe door ¿ each room can be opened by inserting a key card . The key

card can be inserted only one way round . The card has a pattern of holes punched ∈¿ . The card has

4 columns ,∧each column can have either 1 hole , 2holes , 3 holes∨4 holes punched ∈¿ . Eachcolumn

has 8 different positions for the holes. The diagram illustrates one perticular key card with3 holes

Statistics for A-Levels

 punched∈the first column , 3∈the second ,1∈the third∧2∈the fourth .

( i ) Show that thenumber of different ways ∈which a column could have exactly 2 holes is 28.

( ii ) Find how many different patterns of holes can be punched ∈a column .

( iii ) How many different possible key cards are there ?

Solution :

( i ) As there are eight different positions for the hole, for exactly 2holes=8C =28
2

( ii ) As there are 1, 2 , 3 , 4 holes possibles so different patterns of holes∈a column=¿

8C +8 C + 8C + 8C
1 2 3 4

( iii ) As there are four columns so∈one column162 posibilities are there∧there are 4
4
columns so total possibilities=162 ×162 ×162 ×162=(162) =688747536

ANS : ( i )8C2¿ 7+6+ 5+4 +3+2+1=28

( ii ) 162

( iii )( 162 )4 =688 747 536

Assignment
01. A bag contains 20 chocolates, 15 toffees and 12 peppermints. If three sweets are chosen at random,
what is the probability that they are

(a) all different,

(b) all chocolates,

(c) all the same ,

(d) all not chocolates?

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 0.222 (b) 0.070 (c) 0.112 (d) 0.180

02. The letters of the word CONSTANTINOPLE are written on 14 cards, one on each card. The cards
are shuffled and then arranged in a straight line.

(a) How many different possible arrangements are there?

(b) How many arrangements begin with P?

(c) How many arrangements start and end with O?

(d) How many arrangements are there where no two vowels are next to each other?

Answer: (a) 3 632 428 800 (b) 259 459 200 (c) 39 916 800 (d) 457 228 800

03. Each of the digits 1, 1, 2 3, 3, 4, 6 is written on a separate card. The seven cards are then laid out in
a row to from a 7-digit number.

(a) How many distinct 7-digit numbers are there?

(b) How many these 7-digit numbers are even?

(c) How many these 7-digit numbers are divisible by 4?

(d) How many of these 7-digits numbers start and end with the same digit?

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 1260 (b) 540 (c) 300 (d) 120

04. Three families, the Mehtas, the Mupondas and the Lams, go to the cinema together to watch a
film. Mr and Mrs Mehtas take their daughterInira, Mr and Mrs Muponda take their sons Paul and
John, and Mrs Lam takes her children Susi, Kim and Lee. The families occupy a single row with
eleven seats.

(a) In how many ways could the eleven people be seated if there where no restriction?

(b) In how many ways could the eleven people sit down so that the members of each family are
all sitting together?

(c) In how many of the arrangements will no two adults be sitting next to one another?

Answer: (a) 39 916 800 (c) 1814 400

05. The letters of the word POSSESSES are written on nine cards, one on each card. The cards are
shuffled and four of them are selected and arranged in a straight line.

(a) How many possible selections are there of four letters?

(b) How many arrangements are there of four letters?

Answer: (a) 12 (b) 115

06. A class contains 30 children, 18 girls and 12 boys. Four complimentary theatre tickets are
distributed at random to the children in the class. What is the probability that

Statistics for A-Levels

 (a) all four tickets go to girls,

(b) two boys and two girls receive tickets?

Answer: (a) 0.112 (b) 0.368

07. (a) How many different 7-digit numbers can be formed from the digits

0, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3 assuming that a number cannot start with 0?

(b)How many of these numbers will end in 0?

Answer: (a) 360 (b) 60

08. Calculate the number of ways in which three girls and four boys can be seated on a row of seven
chairs if each arrangement is to be symmetrical.

Answer: 432

Statistics for A-Levels

 09. Find the number of ways in which

(a) 3 people can be arranged in 4 seats,

(b) 5 people can be arranged in 5 seats.
In a block of 8 seats, 4are in row A and 4 are in row B. Find the number of ways of arranging 8
people in the 8 seats given that 3 specified people must be in row A.

Answer: (a) 24 (b) 120; 2880

Past Papers Questions:

Q#01: A town council plans to plant 12 trees along the Centre of a main road. The council buys the trees
from a garden Centre which has 4 different hibiscus trees, 9 different jacaranda trees and 2
different oleander trees for sale.

(i) How many different selections of 12 trees can be made if there must be at least 2 of each type of
trees?
The council buys 4 hibiscus trees, 6 jacaranda trees and 2 oleander trees.
(ii) How many different arrangements of these 12 trees can be made if the hibiscus trees have to be
next to each other, the jacaranda trees have to be next to each other and the oleander trees
have to be next to each other?
(iii) How many different arrangements of these 12 trees can be made it no hibiscus tree is next to
another hibiscus tree?

Q#02:

Statistics for A-Levels

 (a) A team of 3 boys and 3 girls is to be chosen from a group of 12 boys and 9 girls to enter a
competition. Tom and Henry are two of the boys in the group. Find the number of ways in which
the team can be chosen if Tom and Henry are either both in the team or both not in the team.
(b)The back row of a cinema has 12 seats, all of which are empty. A group of 8 people, including Mary
and Frances, sit in this row. Find the number of different ways they can sit in these 12 seats if
(i) there are no restrictions,
(ii) Mary and Frances do not sit in seats which are next to each other,
(iii) all 8 people sit together with no empty seats between them.

Q#03: An English examination consists of 8 questions in Part A and 3 questions in Part B. Candidates
must choose 6 questions. The order in which questions are chosen does not matter. Find the
number of ways in which the 6 question can be chosen in each of the following cases.

(i) There are no restrictions on which questions can be chosen.

(ii) Candidates must choose at least 4 questions from Part 4.
(iii) Candidates must either choose both question 1 and question 2 in Part A, or choose neither of these
questions.

Q#04: Nine cards, each of a different color, are to be arranged in a line.

(i) How many different arrangements of the 9 cards are possible?

The 9 cards include a pink card and a green card.
(ii) How many different arrangements do not have the pink card next to the green card?
Consider all possible choices of 3 cards from the 9 cards with the 3 cars being arranged in a line.
(iii) How many different arrangements in a total of 3 cards are possible?
(iv) How many of the arrangements of 3 cards in Part (iii) contain the oink card?
(v) How many of the arrangements of 3 cards in part (iii) do not have the pink card next to the green
card?

Statistics for A-Levels

 Q#05: Sameer has 11 different CDs, of which 6 are pop music, 3 are jazz and 2 are classical.

(i) How many different arrangements of all 11 CDs on a shelf are there if the jazz CDs are all next to
each other?
(ii) Sameer makes a selection of 2 pop music CDs, 2 jazz CDs and 1 classical CD. How many different
possible selections can be made?

Q#06: A vegetable basket contains 12 papers, of which 3 are red, 4 are green and 5 are yellow. Three
papers are taken, at random and without replacement, from the basket.

(i) First the probability that the three papers are all different colors.
(ii) Show that the probability that exactly 2 of the papers taken are green is 12/55.
(iii) The numbers of green papers taken is denoted by the discrete random variable X. Draw up a
probability distribution table for X.

Q#07: A staff park at a school has 13 parking spaces in a row. There are 9 cars to be parked.

(i) How many different arrangements are there for parking the 9 cars and leaving 4 empty spaces?

Statistics for A-Levels

(ii) How many different arrangements are there if the 4 empty spaces are next to each other?
(iii) If the parking is random, find the probability that there will not be 4 empty spaces next to each
other.

Q#08: In a certain hotel, the lock on the door to each room can be

opened by inserting a key card. The key card can be inserted only one

way round. The card has a pattern of holes punched in it. Each column

has 8 different positions for the holes. The diagram illustrates one

particular key card with 3 holes punched in the first column, 3 in the

second, 1 in the third and 2 in the fourth.

(i) Show that the number of different ways in which a column could have exactly 2 holes is 28.
(ii) Find how many different patterns of holes can be punched in a column.
(iii) How many different possible key cards are there?

Topic#05 Discrete Frequency distribution

function
In this topic, the total possible outcome for the favorable event will be calculated
with their respective probability. The sum of probabilities of all outcomes will be
equal to 1.
Mathematically, ∑ P ( X =x )=1
Statistics for A-Levels
 Examples:
i. Two fair dice are thrown once. If D is the difference between
ii. the two scores then tabulate the outcome. Also make the frequency distribution
table for the possible outcome.

Difference(d) 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 0 1 2 3 4 5

2 1 0 1 2 3 4

3 2 1 0 1 2 3

4 3 2 1 0 1 2

5 4 3 2 1 0 1

6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Table will be made for only possible outcome with given condition with respective
probability.

D 0 1 2 3 4 5
P(D=d 6/36 10/36 8/3 6/36 4/36 2/36
) 6

6 10 8 6 4 2
As ∑ P ( D=d )=¿ +¿ ¿ + + + + =1
36 36 36 36 36 36

iii. Two fair dice are thrown once. If H is the highest common factor of the two scores then tabulate
the outcome. Also make the frequency distribution table for the possible outcome.
H 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 1 2 1 2 1 2
3 1 1 3 1 1 3
4 1 2 1 4 1 2
5 1 1 1 1 5 1
6 1 2 3 2 1 6

H 1 2 3 4 5 6
P(H=h) 23 7 3 1 1 1
36 36 36 36 36 36

23 7 3 1 1 1
As ∑ P ( H=h )=¿ + ¿ ¿ + + + + =1
36 36 36 36 36 36

iv. Two dice in which one is fair and other is biased are thrown simultaneously. The probability of
1
score 4 or 5 is each and score 1,2,3,6 has equal probabilities. Make the frequency distribution
3
table for each. Also make distribution table for sum of both together.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Solution:
i. For fair dice:
S 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 1 1 1 1 1
P(S=s)
6 6 6 6 6 6

ii. For biased dice:

S 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 1
P(S=s) k k k k
3 3
1 1
∑ P ( S=s )=k + k +k + k + 3 + 3 =1
2 1
4k+ =1; 12k+2=3; k=
3 12
For sum of two scores:

Sum 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 1 1
The probability of these scores will be calculated as, P (2) = P (1) P (1) = x =
6 12 72
1 1 2
As score 3 appears twice, so P (3) = 2 x x =
6 12 72
As score 4 appears three times, from (1, 3), (2, 2), (3, 1)
1 1 1 1 1 1 3
So P (4) = P (1) P (3) + P (2) P (2) + p (3) P (1) = × + × + × =
6 12 6 12 12 6 72
As score 5 appears four times, from (1, 4), (2, 3), (3, 2), (4, 1)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7
So P (5) = P (1) P (4) + P (2) P (3) + P (3) P (2) + p (4) P (1) = × + × + × + × =
6 3 6 12 12 6 6 12 72
As score 6 appears five times, from (1, 5), (3, 3), (4, 2), (2, 4), (5, 1)
So
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 14
P(6)=P(1)P(5)+P(3)P(3)+p(4)P(2)+P(2)p(4)+P(5)P(1)= × + × + × + × + × =
6 3 6 12 3 6 12 6 3 6 72
As score 7 appears six times, from (1, 6), (2, 5), (3, 4), (4, 3), (5, 2), (6, 1)
So
P (6) = P (1) P (6) + P (2) P (5) + P (3) p (4) + P (4) P (3) + P (5) P (2) + P (6) P (1)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 16
= × + × + × + × + × + × + × =
6 12 6 3 6 3 6 12 6 12 3 6 6 12 72
As score 8 appears five times, from (3, 5), (2, 6), (4, 4), (5, 3), (6, 2)
So P (8) = P (3) P (5) + P (2) P (6) + p (4) P (4) + P (5) P (3) + P (6) P (2)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11
= × + × + × + × + × =
6 3 6 12 6 3 6 12 12 6 72
As score 9 appears four times, from (3, 6), (6, 3), (4, 5), (5, 4)
So P (9) = P (3) P (6) + P (6) P (3) + p (4) P (5) + P (5) P (4)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10
= × + × + × + × =
6 12 6 12 3 6 6 3 72
As score 10 appears three times, from (4, 6), (6, 4), (5, 5)
1 1 1 1 1 1 9
So P (4) = P (4) P (6) + P (6) P (4) + p (5) P (5) = × + × + × =
6 12 6 3 3 6 72

Statistics for A-Levels

 1 1 1 1 5
As score 11 appears twice, so P (5) P (6) + P (6) P (5) = x + x =
6 12 6 3 72
1 1 1
As score 12=P (6) P (6) = x =
6 12 72
S 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2 3 7 14 16 11 10 9 5 1
P(S=s)
72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72
v. A fair coin is tossed 4 times. Let H denotes the number of heads obtained. The distribution table
for this observation will be calculated as follows,

Solution:
H 0(all tails) 1 2 3 4
P(H=h) 1/16 4/16 6/16 4/16 1/16
Q=1 A die with faces numbered 1¿ 6 is baised so that P { score isr } =kr , ( r=1 , … , 6 ) . Find the value of k .

If the dieis throwntwice , calculate the probability that thetotal score exceeds10.

Solution: Possibility table when dieis throwntwice

+¿ 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and here probability table is shown:

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

r ( score) 1 2 3 4 5 6

P(r =k ) K 2k 3k 4k 5k 6k

∑ P ( s=r )=1
1
For value of k , k +2 k +3 k + 4 k +5 k+ 6 k =1; 21 k =1; k=
21

5 6
P ( 5 )= ∧P ( 6 )=
21 21

P ( ∑ ¿ 10 ) =P (5∧6 )+ P ( 6∧5 ) + P ( 6∧6 )

5 6 6 5 6 6 30+30+36 32
¿ × + × + × = =
21 21 21 21 21 21 441 147

1 32
ANS : ,
21 147

Q: 2 A bag contains 3 red balls∧3 green balls . Balls are drawn ¿ thebag at random, one by one∧¿

without replacement .
Statistics for A-Levels
 1
( a ) Show that the probability that the first 3 balls drawn are red is .
20

( b ) Find the probability that the first 3 balls drawn consist of 2 red balls∧1 green ball ¿

order ¿ . Hence∨otherwise show that the probability that the third red ball appears on the fourth

3
drawn is .
20

( c ) Find the probability that the third red ball appears on the fifthdrawn .

( d ) The random variable X is the number of draws required up ¿∧including the one on which

1
the third red ball appears .Tabulate the probability distribution of X∧show that E ( X )=5 .
4

Solution:

a) Red=3 ; Green=3
3 2 1 1
P( RRR)= × × = (Shown)
6 5 4 20
3 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 54 9
b) P ( 2red∧1 green )=P (GRR ) + P ( RGR ) + P ( RRG )= × × + × × + × × = =
6 5 4 6 5 4 6 5 4 120 20

P ( Third red ball on fourth draw )=P ( GRRR ) + P ( RGRR )+ P ( RRGR )

3 3 2 1 3 3 2 1 3 2 3 1 54 3
¿ × × × + × × × + × × × = =
6 5 4 3 6 5 4 3 6 5 4 4 360 20

c) P ( Third red ball on fifth draw )

¿ P ( GGRRR ) + P ( GRGRR )+ P ( GRRGR ) + P ( RGGRR ) + P ( RGRGR )+ P (RRGGR )

(
3 2 3 2 1 36 ×6 6
¿6 × × × × =
6 5 4 3 2 )
720
=
20
d) 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 is red ball
rd th th th

3rd, 4th and 5th is already tabulated.

Now P(third red draw on sixth draw)= We can use concept of permutation also.
One red for the sixth position is put aside for favorable position. Remaining are 5 ball in which 2 are red
and 3 green.
And all balls are identical (same)
5!
3 ! ×2 ! 1
P ( third Red on sixth draw )= =
6! 2
3! × 3 !
Now table can be filled as

X 3 4 5 6
P(x=r 1/20 3/20 6/20 ½
)

9 6
ANS : ( a ) ( c)
20 20
Statistics for A-Levels
 (d )
x 3 4 5 6
P ( X=x ) 1 3 6 1
20 20 20 2
Q#3. A player throws an ordinary unbaised die ,∧if is not a six , he scores thenumber on the face

showing uppermost ; if he throws a six he has a second throw∧his score is then the total obtained

¿ his two throws . ( The player has at most two throws . ) Calculate the expected value of the player

score ,∧the expected value of thenumber of throws .

Solution :

1
If 6 does not occur then probability for 1 , 2 ,3 , 4 , 5is for each∧if 6 occurs then
6

1
probability for the some of scores 7 , 8 , 9 ,10 ,11 , 12is for each the probability
36

distribution is given below :

Score( s) 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12
P( S=s) 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/36 1/36 1/ 36 1/ 36 1/ 36 1/36

6+12+18+24 +30+7+8+ 9+10+11+12 147

E( s)=∑ sP ( S=s )= =
36 36

For the numbers of throws if 6 does not occur then1 throw is allowed∧if 6 occurs

then2 throws are allowed . The probability distribution table for throws is given below :

Throws (t) 1 2

P(T =t) 5 1
6 6

5 1 7
E ( t )=∑ tP ( T =t )=1 × +2× =
6 6 6

147 7
ANS : ,
36 6

distribution
Q # 4. A discrete random variable Y has a uniform set of values { 1 ,2 , 3 , … , n } . Find
the

E ( Y ) . var|( Y ) whenn=5.

Solution:

Statistics for A-Levels

 Y 1 2 3 4 N

P(Y=y) 1/n 1/n 1/n 1/n 1/n

1 1 1 1
E(Y)∑ yP ( Y = y )=1 × +2× +3 × +… … … … … .+n ×
n n n n

1 2 3
¿ + + + … ..+ n
n n n

1+ 2+3+ … …+n
¿
n

1
But using Mathematical Induction ,1+2+3+ … … .+ n= n ( n+ 1 )
2

so ,

E ( Y )=
[
1 1
n 2
1
]
n ( n+1 ) = ( n+ 1 )
2

For variance ; when n=5

y 1 2 3 4 5

y
2
1 4 9 16 25

P(Y = y) 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5

1 1 1 1 1
Mean=E ( y )=∑ yP ( Y = y )=1 × +2 × + 3× + 4 × + 5×
5 5 5 5 5

1+ 2+3+ 4 +5
¿ =3
5

Var ( y )=∑ y P ( Y = y )−[ E ( y ) ]

2 2

(
1 1 1 1 1
¿ 1× +4 × +9 × +16 × + 25× −( 3 )
5 5 5 5 5
2
)
¿ ( 1+ 4+9+16
5
+25
)−9
¿ 11−9=2

1
ANS : ( n+1 ) , 2
2

Q # [Link] ordinary unbaised dics are thrown,∧X isthe number of sixes scored . Show by direct

1
calculate ( ¿ not by quoting formulae ) that the expectation of X is ∧that the variance of X is
2

5
.
12

Statistics for A-Levels

Solution:

Assignment
Q # [Link] discrete random variable X take value 0 ,1∧2 only ,∧its probability distribution is given∈¿

Table 1 below .
Table 1

R 0 1 2

P( X =r ) 0∙2 0.3 0∙5

2
Calculate µ ( theexpectation of X ) ,∧σ ( the variance of X ) .

ANS :1 ∙3 , 0 ∙ 61

Q # 02. A discrete random variable X takes value 0 ,1 , 2 , 4 , 8 with probabilities as shown∈thetable .

x 0 1 2 4 8

P(X =x) P 1 1 1 1
2 4 8 16
( a ) p|.

( b ) Find E ( X )∧var ( X ) .

1 7
AN S : ( a ) (b )2 ,
16 2

Statistics for A-Levels

Q # 03. A baised cubical dieis such taht the probability of any facelanding uppermost is proportional ¿the

number on that face .Thus , if X denotes the score obtained∈one throw of this die , P ( X=r )=kr ,

r =1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , where k is a constant .

( a ) Find the value of k .

1
( b ) Show that E ( X )=4 ,∧find Var ( X ) .
3

1 615
ANS : ( a ) k= ( b ) Var (X )=
21 1024

Q # [Link] red balls∧two white balls are placed ∈a bag . Balls are drawn one by one at random∧¿

without replacement . The random variable X is the number of white balls drawn before the first red

ball is drawn .

1
( a ) Show that P ( X =1 )= ,∧find the rest of the probability distribution of X .
3

5
( b ) Find E ( X )∧show that Var ( X )= .
9

ANS : ( a )

x 0 1 2
P ( X=x ) 3 1 1
10 10 6

Statistics for A-Levels

 2
( b ) ( c ) 0 ∙159
3

Q #05. A bag contains 3 blue cards∧2 white cards ,identcal∈all respects except colour . Two cards are

drawn at random ,∧without replacement , ¿the bag . If the cards are of a different colour ,two fair

coins are then tossed∧the number of heads recorded ; if the cards are of the same colour , the two

coins are each tossed twice anthe number of heads recorded ; if the cards are of the same colour , the

two coins are each tossed twice an thenumber of heads recorded . The random variable X is the

number of heads recorded .

7 3
( a ) Show that P ( X =0 )= ∧P ( X =2 )=
40 10

( b ) Tabulate the probability distribution for X .

( c ) Show that E ( X )=1 ∙ 4∧find Var ( X ) .

The events A∧B are defined as follows :

A occurs if the two cards drawn arethe same colour .

B occursif X ≥ 2.

FInd P ( A ∪B )∧P ( B| A ) .

ANS :(a)

x 0 1 2 3 4
P( X =x) 1 1 1 1 3
4 6 6 12 16
11 11
( b ) 0 ∙ 94 ; ,
20 16

Q # [Link] probability distribution of the discrete random variable X is given∈the following table .

x 0 1 2 3 4
P( X =x) 1 2 3 4 5
15 15 15 15 15

Statistics for A-Levels

Find E ( X )∧Var ( X ) .

8 14
ANS : ;
3 9

Q # 07.( i ) A fair coin istossed 10×.Calculate the probability that the number of heads obtained is less

than 4.

( ii ) The same coin istossed 100×. Use a normal distribution ¿ find an approximate value for

the probability that the number of head obtained is less than 40.

11
ANS : ( i ) ( ii ) 0 ∙0179
64

Q # 08. Several different companies run bus services on a certaine route . John travels only on buses of the

Alpha Bus Company . Each morning john waits at a bus−stop ,∧gets on the first Alpha bus ¿ arrive .

( i ) Name a probability distribution that might model the number of buses which have arrived at the

bus−stopup ¿∧including the first Alpha bus . State any assumptions needed ¿ justify the

model .

( ii )
long period , Jhonhas found that an average an Alpha bus is the fourth ¿ arrive at the
a

bus−stop. Calculate the probability that on a randomly chosen morning

( a ) Jhon gets on the fourth bus ¿ arrive ,

Statistics for A-Levels
( b ) Jhon gets on one of the first three buses ¿ arrive ,

( c ) Jhon is still waiting after four buses have arrived .

( iii ) Calculate the probability that , our of 12 randomly chosen mornings , Jhon gets on the first bus ¿

arrive on exactly two occasions .

ANS : ( i ) Geometric distribution . Probability of bus arrival is a constant .

27 37 81
( ii ) ( a ) (b ) (c )
256 64 256

( iii ) 0 ∙ 23

Q #09. A fair cubical die with faces numbered 1 ,1 , 1 ,2 , 3 , 4 is thrown∧the score noted . The area A of a

square of side equal ¿ the score is calculated , so , for example , whenthe score onthe die is3 , the

value of A is 9.

( i ) Draw up a table ¿ show the probability distribution of A .

( ii ) Find E ( A ) ∧Var ( A ) .

ANS : ( i ) 1 4 9 16
P¿ 1 1 1 1
2 6 6 6

( ii ) E ( A )=5.33 , Var ( A )=30.9

Statistics for A-Levels
Q # [Link] discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution .

x 1 3 5 7
P( X =x) 0.3 Α b 0.25
( i ) Write down an equation satisfied by α ∧b .

( ii ) Given that E ( X )=4 , find α∧b .

ANS : ( i ) α =b=0.45

( ii ) α=0.15 , b=0.3

Q # 11.( i ) A manufacturer of biscuits produces 3×as many cream ones as chocolate ones . Biscuits are

chosen randomly ∧ packed into boxes of 10. Find the probability that a box contains equal

numbers of cream biscuits∧chocolate biscuits.

( ii ) A random sample of 8 boxes is taken . Find the probability that exactly 1 of them contains equal

numbers of cream biscuits∧chocolate biscuits.

( iii ) A large box of randomly chosen biscuits contains 120 biscuits .Using a suitable approximation ,

find the probability thatcontains fewer than35 chocolate biscuits .

ANS : ( i ) P ( equal ) =0.0584

( ii ) 0.307

( iii ) 0.829
Statistics for A-Levels
Q#12. In the following probability distribution, d is a constant. Find the value of d.

X 0 1 2 3 4

P(X=x) D 0.2 0.15 0.2 2d

Answer: 0.15
Q#13. A cubical dice is biased so that the probability of an odd number is three times the probability
of an even number. Find the probability distribution of the score.

Answer:

X 1 2 3 4 5 6

P(X=x) 1 1 1 1 1 1
4 12 4 12 4 12

Q#14. A cubical dice is based so that the probability of any particular score between 1 and 6 (inclusive)
begin obtained is proportional to that score. Find the probability of scoring a 1.

Statistics for A-Levels

 1
Answer:
21
Q#15. The biased dice of Question 2 is rolled 420 times. State how many times you would expect to
obtain
(a) a one, (b) an even number, (c) a prime number.

Answer: (a) 105 (b) 105 (c) 245

Q#16. The table below gives the cumulative probability distribution for a random variable R.
‘Cumulative’ means that the probability given is P(R ≼r), not P(R=r).

R 0 1 2 3 4 5

P(R ≼r) 0.11 0.428 0.765 0.94 0.995 1.000

6 6

One hundred observations of R are made. Calculate the expected frequencies of each outcome,
giving each answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer: 12, 31, 34, 18, 5, 0 (0 is better than 1 because it makes the total 100)
Q#17. A random variable G has a probability distribution given by the following formulae:

{
0.3 × ( 0.7 )
g
for g=1 , 2 ,3 , 4 ,
P ( G=g )= k for g=5
0 for all other values of g .
Find the value of K, and find the expected frequency of the result G=3 when 1000 independent
observations of G are made.
Statistics for A-Levels
 Answer: 0.468, 103
Q#18. The probabilities of the scores on a biased dice are shown in the table below.

Score 1 2 3 4 5 6

K 1 1 1 1 1
Probability
9 9 9 9 2

(a) Find the value of k.

Two players, Hazel and Ross, play a game with this biased dice and a fair dice. Hazel chooses
one of the two dice at random and rolls it. If the score is 5 or 6 she wins a point.

(b) Calculate the probability that Hazel wins a point.

(c) Hazel chooses a dice, rolls it and wins a point. Find the probability that she chose the biased
dice.

1 17 11
Answer: ( a ) (b ) (c )
18 36 17

Q#19. In an experiment, a fair cubical dice was rolled repeatedly until a six resulted, and the number of
rolls was recorded. The experiment was conducted 60 times.

(a) Show that you would expect to get a six on the first roll ten times out of the 60 repetitions of
the experiment.

(b) Find the expected frequency for two rolls correct to one decimal place.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (b) 8.3

Q#20. The Probability distribution of the random variable Y is given in the following table, where c is
a constant.

Y 1 2 3 4 5

P(Y ≼y) C 3c c2 c2 15
32

Prove that there is only one possible value of c, and state this value.

1
Answer:
8

Q#21. Find the mean of the random variables X and Y which have the following probability
distributions.

(a)

x 0 1 2 3 4

P(X=x) 1 3 1 1 1
8 8 8 4 8
(b)

x -2 -1 0 1 2 3

P(Y=y) 0.15 0.25 0. 0.05 0.2 0.05

3

Statistics for A-Levels

 7
Answer: (a) 1 (b) 0.05
8

Q#22. The random variable T has the probability distribution given in the following table.

t 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

P(T=t) 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1

Find E (T) and Var (T).

Answer: 4, 3.6

Q#23. Find the exact expectation and variance of the random variable Y, which has the following
probability distribution.

y 3 4 5 6 7

P(Y=y) 1 5 7 1 4
18 18 18 18 18

Statistics for A-Levels

 1 35
Answer: 5 , 1
9 81

Q#24. The six faces of a fair cubical dice are numbered 1, 2, 2, 3, 3 and 3. When the dice is thrown
once, the score is the number appearing on the top face. This is denoted by X.

(a) Find the mean and standard deviation of X.

(b) The dice is thrown twice and Y denotes the sum of the scores obtained. Find the probability
distribution of Y. Hence find E(Y) and Var (Y).

7
Answer: (a) ,0.745
3

(b)

Y 2 3 4 5 6

P(Y=y) 1 1 1 1 1
36 9 18 3 4

14 10
,
3 9

Q#25. Some of the eggs at a market are sold in boxes of six. The number, X, of broken eggs in a box has
the probability distribution given in the following table.

x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

P(X=x) 0.80 0.14 0.03 0.02 0.04 0 0

(a) Find the expectation and variance of X.

(b) Find the expectation and variance of the number of unbroken eggs on a box.
(c) Comment on the relationship between your answers to part (a) and (b).

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: 0.3, 0.51 (b) 5.7, 0.51 (c) E(Y)=6-E(X) , Var (Y)=Var(X) . The distribution of Y (the
number of unbroken eggs) is the reflection of the distribution of X in the line x=3.

Q#26. The random variable X has the probability distribution given in the following table.

x 1 2 3 4 5

P(X=x) a 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2

Find the values of a , μ∧σ for the distribution.

Answer: 0.2, 2.8, 1.4

Q#27. A game is played by throwing a fair dice until either a 6 is obtained or four throws have been
made. Let X denote the number of throws made. Find

(a) The probability distribution of X,

(b) The standard deviation of X.

The number of 6s obtained. Find the ex in the game is denoted by Y. Find E(Y).

If the player throws a 6 in the course of the game, then the payer wins 100 points. If a 6 is not
thrown, then 150 points are lost. Find the expectation of the number of points received by a player
after one game.

Answer:

(a)
Statistics for A-Levels
 X 1 2 3 4

P(X=x) 1 5 25 125
6 36 216 216

(b) 1.172; 0.5177; -20.56

Q#28. The dice is thrown and then an unbiased coin is thrown the number of times indicated by the
score on the dice. Let H denote the number of heads obtained.

13
(a) Show that P(H=2) = .
48
(b) Tabulate the probability distribution of H.
1
(c) Show that E(H)= E(X), where X denotes the score on the dice.
2
(d) Calculate Var (H).

Answer:

(b)

X 1 2 3 4

P(X=x) 1 5 25 125
6 36 216 216

7 7
(c) E(X) = , E(H) =
3 6

13
(d)
18

Q#29. Some of the eggs sold in a store are packed in boxes of 10. For any egg, the probability that it is
cracked is 0.05, independently of all other eggs. A shelf contains 80 of these boxes. Calculate the
expected value of the number of boxes on the shelf whish do not contain a cracked egg.

Statistics for A-Levels

Answer: 47.90

Q#30. The independent random variables X and Y have the following probability distributions.

x 0 1 2 3

P(X=x) 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.1

Find E(X), Var (X) , E(Y) and Var (Y).

y 3 4 5
The sum of one random observation of X and one random
observation of Y is denoted by Z . P(Y=y) 0.5 0.2 0.3

(a) Obtain the probability distribution of Z.

(b) Show that E(Z) =E(X)+E(Y) and Var(Z)=Var(X)+Var(Y).

Answer: 1.3, 1.01, 3.8, 0.76

(a)

Z 3 4 5 6 7 8

P(Z=z) 0.15 0.16 0.33 0.19 0.14 0.03

Q#31. An absent-minded mathematician is attempting to log on to a computer, which is done by typing

the correct password. Unfortunately he can’t remember his password. If he types the wrong
password he tries again. The computer allows a maximum of four attempts altogether. For each
attempt the probability of success is 0.4, independently of all other attempts.

(a) Calculate the probability that he logs on successfully.

(b) The total number of attempts he makes, successful or not, is denoted by X (so that the possible
values of X are 1, 2, 3 or 4). Tabulate the probability distribution of X.
(c) Calculate the expectation and variance of X.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 0.8704

(b)

X 1 2 3 4

P(X=x) 0. 0.24 0.14 0.216

4 4

(c) 2.176, 1.377

Q#32. The discrete random variable X takes the value 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 only, with the probabilities shown
in the table.

x 1 2 3 4 5

P(X=x) A 0.3 0.1 0.2 B

(a) Given that E(X) =2.34. Show that a=0.34, and find the value of b.
(b) Find Var(X).

Answer: (a) 0.06 (b) 1.6644

Q#33. The number of eggs, X, laid by the female tawny owl (Strix aluco) has the probability distribution
given in the following table.

x 2 3 4

P(X=x) 0.1 0.2 0.7

For any egg, the probability that it is hatched is 0.8, independently of all other eggs. Let Y denote
the number of hatched eggs in a randomly chosen nest.

(a) Obtain the probability distribution of Y.

Statistics for A-Levels

 (b) Find E(Y) and Var(Y).

Answer:

(a)

Y 0 1 2 3 4

P(Y=y) 0.00672 0.0691 0.24832 0.38912 0.28672

2

(b) 2.88, 0.8576

Past Papers Questions:

Q#01: Susan has a bag of sweets containing 7 chocolates and 5 toffees. Ahmad has a bag of sweets
containing 3 chocolates, 4 toffees and 2 boiled sweets. A sweet is taken at random from Susan’s
bag and put in Ahmed’s bag. A sweet is than taken at random from Ahmed Ahmad’s bag.

(i) Find the probability that the two sweets taken are a toffee from Susan’s bag and a boiled sweet
from Ahmed’s bag.
(ii) Given that the sweet taken from Ahmed’s bag is a chocolate, find the probability that the sweet
taken from Susan’s bag was also a chocolate.
(iii) The random variable X is the number of times a chocolate is taken. State the possible values of X
and draw up a table to show the probability distribution of X.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#02: A fair tetraherdral die has four triangular faces, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. The score when this die
is thrown is the number on the face that the die lands on. This die is thrown three times. The
random variable X is the sum of the three scores.

(i) Show that P(X=9) =19/64.

(ii) Copy and complete the probability distribution table for X.

X 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
P(X=x 1 3 12
) 64 64 64

(iii) Event R is ‘the sum of the three scores is 9’. Event S is ‘the product of the three score is 16’.
Determine whether events R and S are independent, showing your working.

Q#03: The random variable X has the probability distribution shown in the table.

x 2 4 6
P(X=x 0.5 0.4 0.1
)
Two independent values of X are chosen at random. The random variable Y takes the value 0 if
the two values of X are the same. Otherwise the value y is the larger value of X minus the smaller
value of X.

(i) Draw up the probability distribution table for Y.

(ii) Find the expected value of Y.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#04: The random variable X is normally distributed with mean μ and standard deviation σ .
(i) Given that 5σ =3 μ, find P(X<2 μ).
1
(ii) With a different relationship between μ and σ , it is given that P(X< μ) =0.8524. Express μ in
3
terms of σ .

Q#05: Gohan throws a fair tetrahedral die with faces numbered 1, 2, 3, 4. If she throws an even number
then her score is the number thrown. If she throws and odd number then she throws again and her
score is the sum of both numbers thrown. Let the random variable X denote Gohan’s score.

5
(i) Show that P(X=2) = .
16
(ii) The table below shows the probability distribution of X.

X 2 3 4 5 6 7
P(X=x) 5 1 3 1 1 1
16 16 8 8 16 16
Calculate E(X) and Var (X).

Q#06: There are three sets of traffic lights on Karinne’s journey to work. The independent probabilities
that Karinne has to stop at the first, second and third set of lights are 0.4, 0.8 and 0.3 respectively.

(i) Draw a tree diagram to show this information.

Statistics for A-Levels
(ii) Find the probability that Karinne has to stop at each of the first two sets of lights but does not have
to stop at the third set.
(iii) Find the probability that Karinne has to stop at exactly two of the three sets of lights.
(iv) Find the probability that Karinne has to stop at the first set of lights, given that she has to stop at
exactly two sets of lights.

Q#07: The random variable X takes the values -2, 0 and 4 only. It is given that

P(X=-2) = 2p, P(X=0)=p and P(X=4) =3p.

(i) Find p.
(ii) Find E(X) and Var (X).

Q#08: In a competition, people pay $1 to throw a ball at a target. If they hit the target on the first throw
they receive $5. If they hit it on the second or third throw they receive $3, and if they hit it on the
fourth or fifth throw they receive $1. People stop throwing after the first hit, or after 5 throws if no
hit is made. Mario has a constant probability of 1/5 of hitting the target on any throw,
independently of the results of other throws.

(i) Mario misses with his first and second throws and hits the target with his third throw. State how
much profit he has made.
(ii) Show that the probability that Mario’s profit is $0 is 0.184, correct to 3 significant figures.
(iii) Draw up a probability distribution table for Mario’s profit.
(iv) Calculate his expected profit.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#09: A discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution.

X 0 4 6
P(X=x) P0 P1 P2

Given that E(x) =4.1 and Var (X) =4.99 find the values of P0, P1 and P2.

Topic#06 BINOMIAL DISTRIBUTION

X β ( n , p)
¿ is a discrete distrubution which has two parameters .
n=Total number of object
r =Required object
p=Probability of success
q=1− p=Probability of failure .

()
P ( x=r )= n ( p r ) ( q n−r ) ¿ is only used whenthere are only two porsible outcome−either success
r
¿ failure . If there is chance of third event then
Binomial distribution not applicable .

Example :−If a cion is tosed then either head ∨tail is possible

out come .

If Dice is thrown∧required choice can be

( i ) Either odd∨even

Statistics for A-Levels

 ( ii ) Number 1∧not 1

( iii ) Number ≥ 4∨less then 4.

[Link] are many colours of sweets geen , red , blue , orange .

( a ) Green∨Not Green

( b ) Either Red∨Not Red

4. En an exam ,the grades for result are A , B ,C , D , E , U

( a ) EitherA∨not A

( B ) Either U∨not U

( c ) Either B∨not B

MEAN AND VARIANCE OF DISCRETE DISTRIBUTION

(Binomial):

Can be calculated as

x B (n , P )

μ= Mean=np

δ 2=Variance =npq=np ( 1− p ) .

Assignment #01
Q#01. On a particular tropical island, the probability that there is a hurricane is any given month can be
taken to be 0.08. Use a binomial distribution to calculate the probability that there is a hurricane
in more than two months of the year. State two assumptions needed for a binomial distribution to
be a good model. Why may one of the assumptions not be valid?

Answer: 0.065; for example: P(hurricane) is constant for each month; hurricanes occur independently
of each other; P(hurricane) may not be constant for each month but dependently on the time year.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#02. Explain why the binomial distribution B(6, 0.5) would not be a good model in each of the
following situations. (Do not attempt any calculations.)

(a) It is known that 50% of the boys in a certain school are over 170 cm in height. They are
arranged, for a school photograph, in order of ascending height. A group of six boys standing next
to each other is selected at random. Find the probability that exactly three members of the sample
are over 170 cm in height.

(b) It is known that, on average, the temperature in London reaches at least 20 oC on exactly half
the days in the year. A day is picked at random from each of the months January, March, May,
July, September and November. Find the probability that the temperature in London reaches 20 oC
on exactly three of these six days.

Answer: (a) The boys are not chosen independently of each other.

(b) The probability that a day is warm is not the same for each month.

Q#03. A dice is biased so that the probability of throwing a 6 is 0.2. The dice is thrown eight times. Let
X be the number of ‘6’s thrown.

(a)State the distribution of X and give its parameters.

(b)Calculate P(X¿3).

Answer: (a) B(8, 0.2) (b) 0.0563

Q#04. Joseph and four friends each have an independent probability 0.45 of winning a prize. Find the
probability that

(a) exactly two of the five friends win a prize,

Statistics for A-Levels

 (b) Joseph and only one friend win a prize.

Answer: (a) 0.337 (b) 0.135

Q#05. A bag contains two biased coins: coin A shows Heads with probability 0.6, and coin B shows
Heads with probability 0.25. A coin is chosen at random from the bag, and tossed three times.

(a) Find the probability that the three tossed of the coin show two Heads and one Tail in any
order.
(b) Find the probability that the coin chosen was coin A, given that the three tosses result in two
heads and one tail.

Answer: (a) 0.286 (b) 0.754

Q#06. (a) A fair coin is tossed 4 times. Calculate the probabilities that the tosses result in 0, 1, 2, 3 and
4 heads.

(b) A fair coin is tossed 8 times. Calculate the probability that the first 4 tosses and the last 4
tosses result in the same number of heads.

(c) Two teams each consist of 3 players. Each players in a team tosses a fair coin once and the
team’s score is the total number of heads thrown. Find the probability that the teams have the
same score.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 0.0625, 0.25, 0.375, 0.25, 0.0625 (b) 0.273 (c) 0.313

Q#07. State the conditions under which the binomial distribution may be used for the calculation of
probabilities.

2
The probability that a girl chosen at random has a weekend birthday in 1993 is .
7

Calculate the probability that, among a group of ten girls chosen at random,

(a) none has a weekend birthday in 1993,

(b) exactly one has a weekend birthday in 1993.

Among 100 groups of ten girls, how many groups would you expect to contain more than one girl
with a weekend birthday in 1993?

Answer: Trails in which the only possible outcomes are ‘succeed’ and ‘fail’ are repeated, with the
probability of a ‘succeed’ being the same for all trails, and all trails being independent of one
another.

(a) 0.035 (b) 0.138; 83

Q#08. Six hens are observed over a period of 20 days and the number of eggs laid each day is
summarized in the following table.

Number of eggs 3 4 5 6

Number of days 2 2 1 6
0

Show that the mean number of eggs per day is 5.

It may be assumed that a hen never lays more than one egg in any day. State one other assumption
that needs to be made in order to consider a binomial model, with n=6, for the total number of
eggs laid in a day. State the probability that a randomly chosen hen lays an gg on a given day.

Calculate the expected frequencies of 3, 4, 5 and 6 eggs.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: For example: probability that each hen lays an egg is the same each day for each hen; or
hens lay eggs independently of each other, or independently of whether they laid an egg the
previous day.

5
;1.07, 4.02, 8.04, 6.70
6

Q#09. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) consists of 4 digits in order, each of which is one, of
the digits 0, 1, 2, …, 9. Susie has difficulty remembering her PIN. She tries to remember it and
writes down what she thinks it is. The probability that the first digit is correct is 0.8 and the
probability that the second digit is correct is 0.86. The probability that the first two digits are
correct is 0.72. Find

(a) the probability that the second digit is correct given that the first digit is correct.
(b) the probability that the first digit is correct and the second digit is incorrect,
(c) the probability that the first digit is incorrect and the second digit in correct,
(d) the probability that the second digit is incorrect given that the first digit is incorrect.

The probability that all four digits are correct is 0.7. On 12 separate occasions Susie writes down
independently what she thinks is her PIN. Find the probability that the number of occasions on
which all four digits are correct is less than 10.

Answer: (a) 0.9 (b) 0.08 (c) 0.14 (d) 0.3; 0.747

Past Papers Questions:

Q#01: Robert uses his calculator to generate 5 random integers between 1 and 9 inclusive.

(i) Find the probability that at least 2 of the 5 integers are less than or equal to 4.
Statistics for A-Levels
 Robert now generates n random integers between 1 and 9 inclusive. The random variable X is the
number of these n integers which are less than or equal to a certain integer between 1 and 9
inclusive.
It is given that the mean of X is 96 and the variance of X is 32.
(ii) Find the values of n and k.

Q#02: In Restaurant Bijoux 13% of customers rated the food as ‘poor’, 22% of customers rated the food
as ‘satisfactory’ and 65% rated it is ‘good’. A random sample of 12 customers who went for a meal
at restaurant Bijoux was taken.

(i) Find the probability that more than 2 and fewer than 12 of them rated the food as ‘good’.
On a separate occasion, a random sample of n customers who went for a meal at the restaurant
was taken.
(ii) Find the smallest value of n for which the probability that at least 1 person will rate the food as
‘poor’ is greater than 0.95.

Q#03: A small farm has 5 ducks and 2 geese. Four of these birds are to be chosen at random. The
random values X represents the number of geese chosen.

(i) Draw up the probability distribution of X.

8
(ii) Show that E(X) = and calculate Var (X).
7
3
(iii) When the farmer’s dog is let loose, it chases either the ducks with probability or the geese with
5
2 1
probability . If the dog chases the ducks there is a probability of that they will attack the dog.
5 10
3
if the dog chases the geese there is a probability of that they will attack the dog. Given that the
4
dog is not attacked, find the probability that it was chasing the geese.
Statistics for A-Levels
Q#04: A fair has one face numbered 1, one face numbered 3, two faces numbered 5 and two faces
numbered 6.

(i) Find the probability of obtaining at least 7 odd numbers in 8 throws of the die.
The die is thrown twice. Let X be the sum of the two scores. The following table shows the
possible values of X.
Second throw

Sum 1 3 5 5 6 6
1 2 4 6 6 7 7
3 4 6 8 8 9 9
First 5 6 8 10 10 11 11
Throw 5 6 8 10 10 11 11
6 7 9 11 11 12 12
6 7 9 11 11 12 12
(ii) Draw up a table showing the probability distribution of X.
(iii) Calculate E(X).
(iv) Find the probability that X is greater than E(X).

Q#05: On any occasion when a particular gymnast performs a certain routine, the probability that she
will perform it correctly is 0.65, independently of all other occasions.

(i) Find the probability that she will perform the routine correctly on exactly 5 occasions out of 7.
(ii) On one day she performs the routine 50 times. Use a suitable approximation to estimate the
probability that she will perform the routine correctly on fewer than 29 occasions.
(iii) On another day she performs the routine n times. Find the smallest value of n for which the
expected number of correct performance is at least 8.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#06: Of the customers visiting the stereo section of a large electronics store, 75% on average make a
purchase.

(i) Calculate the probability that, out of 14 customers, at least 12 customers make a purchase.
(ii) Find the least possible number of customers, given that the probability of all the customers making
a purchase is less than 50%.

Topic#07 Normal distribution:

¿ is a continueous distribution withtwo parametres , mean ( μ )∧variance ( σ ) .
2

¿ is a continueous distribution which is bell shaped ∧its area under thecurve

the probability whichis never equal ¿ exactly 1but approximatelly ≈ 1.

¿ is a symmetrical shape . Normal distribution is not used for positive∨negative

skew . At the central position ,its Means , Mode∧Median∧same .

¿ can be made standrised as Z N ( 0 , 1 ) with mean 0∧¿ variance1.

2

Statistics for A-Levels

 x−μ
P ( X )=∅ ( z ) where z=
σ

Cases:

Case#01

P(z< a) = ∅ (a)

Example: P(z≤1.258)= ∅ ( 1.258 )=0.8944 +0.0015=0.8959

Case#02

P(z > a) = 1 - ∅ (a)

Example: P(z≥1.258)=1−∅ ( 1.258 )=1−0.8958=0.1042

Case#03

Statistics for A-Levels

P(z > -a) =∅ (a)

As P(z > -a) =P(z < a) because it is same

Example:

P(z≥-1.258)= ∅ ( 1.258 )=0.8944 +0.0015=0.8959

Case#04

P(z < -a) =1 - ∅ (a)

As P(z < -a) = P(z > a)

Example: P ( z ≤−1.258 )=1−∅ ( 1.258 )=1−0.8958=0.1042

Case #05

P (|z|≤ a) = P (-a < z < a)

∅ (a) –[1 - ∅ ( a ) ] = 2 ∅ (a) -1

Example:

P (|z|≤ 1.258) = P (-1.258 < z < 1.258)

Statistics for A-Levels

=2∅ ( 1.258 )−1=2 ( 0.8958 ) −1=0.7916

Case#06

P(|z|≥ 1.258) = P(z < -1.258) or P (z > 1.258) =

2[1-∅ (1.258)]=2( 1-0.8958)=2(0.1042)=0.2084

Example:

Case#07

P(a < z < b) =∅ (b) - ∅ (a)

Example:

P(1.258<Z<2.85)= ∅ (2.85) - ∅ (1.258)=0.9978-0.8958=0.102

Case #08

Example:

Statistics for A-Levels

P (-1.258<z<2.85) =∅ ( 2.85 ) +∅ (1.258 )−1=0.9978+ 0.8958−1=0.8936

Case#09

P (-a < Z < -b)

= [1 - ∅ (b)] – [1 - ∅ (a)]

=1 - ∅ (b) – 1 + ∅ (a)

= ∅ (a) - ∅ (b)

Example:

P (-2.85<Z<-1.258) = ∅ ( 2.85 )−∅ ( 1.258 )=0. 9978-0.8958=0.102

How reading is taken from Normal

Distribution Function

Statistics for A-Levels

 Examples:
1. For ∅(1.234);

Statistics for A-Levels

 Mark 1.2 in the first column of table under z
 Mark the value in the row of 1.2 under 3 which is 0.8907
 in the same row of 1.2mark the value of under 4 in the add
column which is 7 taken as ten thousands 0.0007
 Add the values under 3 and under 4 which is
0.8907+0.0007=0.8914 which is the probability of P(z<1.234)
2. For ∅(0.028)

 Mark 0.0 in the first column of table under z

 Mark the value in the row of 0.0 under 2which is 0..5080
 in the same row of 1.2mark the value of under 8 in the add
column which is 32 taken as ten thousands 0.0032
 Add the values under 2 and under 8 which is
0.5080+0.0032=0.5112 which is the probability of P(z<0.028)
3. For ∅(2.028)

Statistics for A-Levels

 Mark 2.0 in the first column of table under z
 Mark the value in the row of 2.0 under 2which is 0.9783
 in the same row of 2.0 mark the value of under 8 in the add
column which is 4 taken as ten thousands 0.0004
 Add the values under 2 and under 8 which is
0.9783+0.0004=0.9787 which is the probability of P(z <2.028)
Finding function when probability is given:
Examples:

1. P( Z > v ) = 0.5
Solution:
As for function more than v the probability is 0.5 which mean v lies in center of distribution curve.

As the probability is 0.5 which is 50% so we lies in the center either it is more than half or less than
half of the curve.
From the table, we will find where this numerical value 0.500 will occur and for this we will find
the value of v or nearest to 0.500. By adding to the value less than 0.5 to it which will make it 0.5.

Statistics for A-Levels

 As 0.500 lies in the first column of 0.0 so v will be calculated as v = ∅ −1(0.500) =0.00
2. P( Z < t ) = 0.0142

Solution:

As probability is 0.0142 which is 1.4% of normal curve so t should lie left of it

P (z < -t) = 1 - ∅ ( t ) = 0.0142

∅ ( t ) = 1 – 0.0142 = 0.9858

t = ∅ −1 ( 0.9858 )

Statistics for A-Levels

 As the closest value to 0.9858 from above table is 0.9857 if 0.0001 added to it will be 0.9858
which is calculated from 2.192.
So, t = -2.192 as it lies on left of mean (0)
3. P( Z > v ) = 0.4778

Solution:

As for function more than v, the probability is 0.4778 which is 47.78%

So, P(Z > v) = 1 - ∅ (v) =0.4778

∅ (v) =1 – 0.4778 = 0.5222

v = ∅ −1(0.5222)
Statistics for A-Levels
 From the table, we will find where this numerical value 0.5222 or nearer to 0.5222 from the table.

As 0.5222 is not directly in the table but the closest to this value is 0.5199 and if 0.0023 is added to
it than it will be 0.5222.

As the closest value to 0.5222 from above table is 0.5199 if 0.0023 added to it will be 0.5222 which
is calculated from 0.056.
Since 23 was not in the added column so we added the nearest which is 0.0024

So, v = 0.056 as it lies on right of mean (0)

4. P ( - t < Z < t) = 0.80

Solution:

Statistics for A-Levels

As the function is between –t and t and its probability is 80% which means due to symmetry 40%
lies on right of mean and 40% lies on left of means.
So, P (- t < Z <t) = 2 ∅ (t) -1 = 0.80
2 ∅ (t) = 1 + 0.8 = 1.8
∅ (t) = 0.9
t = ∅ −1(0.9)
As 0.9 is not directly in the table but the closest to this value is 0.8997 and if 0.0003 is added to it
than it will be 0.8997.

As the closest value to 0.9 from above table is 0.8997 if 0.0003 added to it will be 0.8997 which is
calculated from 0.9.
Since 3 was not in the added column so we added the nearest which is 0.0004
So, t = 1.282.

Making standardizing normal distribution

Statistics for A-Levels
 x−μ
X ( μ , σ 2 ) ¿ Z N ( 0 ,12 ) where z=
σ

1. x N ( 25 , 1.22 ) find the P ( x >26 )

Solution:

(
P z>
26−25
1.2 )
=P ( z >0.833 )=1−∅ ( 0.8333 )

¿ 1−( 0.7967+ 0.0008 )=0.2025

2. if X N ( 10 ,2.12 ) then find P(X < 12)
Solution:

(
P Z<
12−10
2.1 )
=P ( z <0.9523 )=∅ ( 0.9523 )

¿ ( 0.8289+0.0005 ) =0.8294
3. If X N ( 125 , 3.5 ) then find P ( X <120 )
2

Solution:

(
P Z<
120−125
3.5 )
=P ( Z←1.426 )

¿ 1−∅ ( 1.426 )=1−( 0.9222+0.0008 )=0.077

4. If X N ( 4 ,5 ) then find P (| X|<7 )
2

Solution:
P (|X|< 7 )=P (−7< X <7 ) =P ( −7−4
5
< Z<
5 )
7−4

¿ P (−2.2<Z <0.6 )=∅ ( 0.60 )− {1−∅ (2.20 ) ]

¿ ( 0.6 ) + ∅ ( 2.2 )−1=0.7257+0.9861−1=0.7118
5. The random variable X has a normal distribution. The mean ( μ )
1 2
where μ>0∧variance is μ . Find the P ( X >1.5 μ ) , P(x is negative)
4
Solution:
1 2
X N ( μ , σ )= X N μ , μ
2
4 ( )
( )
1.5 μ−μ
P ( X >1.5 μ )=P Z > =P ( Z> 1 )
1
μ
2
¿ 1−∅ ( 1 )=1−0.8413=0.1587

( )
0−μ
P ( X isnegative )=P ( X ¿¿ 0 )=P z < =P ( z←2 )
1
μ
2
¿ 1−∅ ( 2.0 )=1−0.9772=0.0228

Solution of words problems for Normal

Distribution
Statistics for A-Levels
1. The time X hours, for which people sleep in one night in one night has a normal
distribution with 7.15hours and standard deviation as 0.88 hours.
i. Calculate the probability that a randomly selected person sleeps for less than 8 hours
in a day.
ii. Calculate the probability that a randomly selected person sleeps for more than 6
hours in a day.
iii. Calculate the probability that a randomly selected person sleeps between 7 to 9
hours in a day.

Solution:
X N ¿)

(
i . P ( X <8 )=P z <
8−7.15
0.88 )
=P ( z< 0.9659 )

¿ ∅ ( 0.9659 )=[ 0.8315+0.0013 ] =0.8328

(
ii . P ( X > 6 )=P z>
6−7.15
0.88 )
=P ( z >−1.307 )

¿ ∅ ( 1.307 )=[ 0.9032+0.0011 )=0.9043 has

iii. P ( 7< X < 9 )=P ( 7−7.15

0.88
<z<
0.88 )
9−7.15

¿ P (−0.1704< z <2.102 )

¿ ∅ ( 2.102 )−[ 1−∅ ( .1704 ) ]

¿ ∅ ( 2.102 )+ ∅ ( 0.1704 )−1=0.9822+ 0.5675−1=0.5497

2.
(a) Once a week Zak goes for a run. The time he takes, in minutes, has a normal
distribution with mean 35.2 and standard deviation 4.7.
(i) Find the expected number of days during a year (52 weeks) for which Zak
takes less than 30 minutes for his run.
(ii) The probability that Zak’s time is between 35.2 minutes and t minutes, where
t > 35.2, is 0.148. Find the value of t.
(b) The random variable X has the distribution N ( μ , σ 2). It is given that P(X<7) =0.2119
and P(X<10) =0.6700. Find the value of μ and σ .
Solution:
X N ( 35.2 , 4.72 )
(i) As there are 52 weeks are in a year so expectation for less than 30 minutes
=52 P (X< 30)

(
30−35.2
)
=52 P Z< 4.7 =52 P ( Z ←1.106 )

Statistics for A-Levels

 = 52 (1-0.8655) =52(0.1345) =6.99
(ii) According to the statement P (35.2 < x < t) =0.148
P ( 35.2−35.2
4.7
<Z <
4.7 )
t−35.2
=0.148

P (0< Z < 4.7 )=0.148

t−35.2

t−35.2
Let a = 4.7
P (0 < Z< a) =0.148
∅ ( a )−∅ ( 0 )=0.148
∅ ( a )=∅ ( 0 )+ 0.148
∅ ( a )=0.5000+0.148
a=∅−1 ( 0.5148 )=0.037
t−35.2
¿ a= =0.037
4.7
t=4.7× 0.037+35.2=35.3739

Finding unknown mean and variance with

given conditions
X N (μ,σ )
2

Interpretation of given probability for the normal distributions function, when mean and variance
are unknown.

As the probability under the normal distribution curve is approximately equal to one which means
50% is before the mean and 50% is after the mean.

The following diagrams will explain the functions for their probabilities.

Case#01:

P(x < v) =0.832 then

(
P(x < v) =P Z<
v−μ
σ )
=P ( Z <a ) where a=
v−μ
σ

then “a” lies on right of mean. So

P ( Z <a )=∅ ( a )=0.832

Case #02:

P(x > v) =0.832 then

Statistics for A-Levels

 (
P(x > v) =P Z>
v−μ
σ )
=P ( Z >a ) where a=
v−μ
σ

then “a” lies on left of mean. So

P ( Z >−a )=P ( Z <a )=∅ (−a ) =0.832

Case #03:

P(x > v) =0.132 then

(
P(x > v) =P Z>
v−μ
σ )
=P ( Z >a ) where a=
v−μ
σ

then “a” lies on right of mean. So

P ( Z >a )=1−∅ ( a )=0.132

Case#04:

P(x < v) =0.132 then

(
P(x < v) =P Z<
v−μ
σ )
=P ( Z <a ) where a=
v−μ
σ

then “a” lies on left of mean. So

P ( Z ←a ) =P ( Z >a ) =1−∅ (−a ) =0.132

Examples:

1. X is distributed normally, X N ( μ , 4.82 ) .Find the value of mean (μ) when

P(X<48)=0.6613
Solution:
P ( X < 48 )=0.6613

(
P Z<
48−μ
4.8 )
=0.6613

48−μ
let a=
4.8

P ( Z <a )=0.6613

As the probability of z less than a is 0.6613 which is more than 0.5 so

“a” lies on right side of mean.
P ( Z <a )=∅ ( a )=0.6613

Statistics for A-Levels

 48−μ
a=∅−1 ( 0.6613 )=0.4166 ; 0.4166= ; μ=46
4.8

2. X is distributed normally, X N ( μ , 4.82 ) . Find the value of mean ( μ )

when P(X>48)=0.6613
Solution:
P ( X > 48 )=0.6613

(
P Z>
48−μ
4.8 )
=0.6613

48−μ
let a=
4.8

As the probability of z more than a is 0.6613 which is more than 0.5 so

“a” lies on left side of mean.
P ( Z >−a )=P ( Z <a )=∅ ( a )=0.6613

a=∅−1 ( 0.6613 )=0.4166 ;

so−a=−0.4166

48−μ
hence−0.4166= ; μ=50
4.8

3. X is distributed normally , X N ( μ , √ 21 ) . Find the value of mean ( μ )

2

when P ( X >10 )=0.7389

Solution:
P ( X >10 ) =0.7389

(
P Z>
10−μ
√ 21 )
=0.7389

10−μ
let a=
√21
As the probability of z more than a is 0.7389 which is more than 0.5 so “a”
lies on left side of mean.
P ( Z >−a )=P ( Z <a )=∅ ( a )=0.7389

a=∅−1 ( 0.7389 )=0.64 ;

Statistics for A-Levels

 so−a=−0.64

10−μ
hence−0.64= ; μ=12.9
√21
4. The length of fish of a certain type have a normal distribution with mean
38cm it is found that 5% of the fish are longer than 50cm.
Find the standard deviation.
Solution:
x N(38, σ 2)
P(x>50) =0.05
50−38
P (z > σ ) = 0.05
50−38 12
Let a= σ = σ
P(z > a) =1-ϕ (a) =0.05
ϕ ( a ) =1−0.05=0.95
a =ϕ −1(0.95)=1.645
12
So, a = 1.645 = σ
12
Hence σ = 1.645 =7.294
5. The random variable y is normally distributed with mean μ and standard
2
deviationσ . Given that σ = 3 μ , find the probability that a random value of y
is less than 2 μ.
Solution:
y N ( μ , σ2)
2
σ= μ
3
(Given)
P( y <2 μ )=?
Standardizing y to z
y−μ
Z= σ
.

2 μ−μ μ
= =1.5
Z= 2
μ
2
μ
3 3
Now P (Z< 1.5) =ϕ ( 1.5 )=0.933
6. X N ( μ , σ 2 ) , P ( X ≥ 9.81 )=0.1587∧P ( X ≤8.82 ) =0.0116 .Find μ∧σ , correct to 3 significant
figures.
Solution:
P ( X ≥ 9.81 )=0.1587

Statistics for A-Levels

 (
P Z≥
9.81−μ
σ )
=0.1587

9.81−μ
Let a=
σ
P ( Z ≥ a )=0.1587
P ( Z ≥ a )=1−∅ ( a )=0.1587
∅ ( a )=1−0.1587=0.8413
a=∅−1 ( 0.8413 )=1.00
9.81−μ
=1.00
σ
9.81−μ=σ ….(i)
P ( X ≤8.82 ) =0.0116

( 8.82−μ
P Z ≤ σ =0.0116 )
8.82−μ
Let b= σ
As probability of Z<b is 0.0116 which means b lies on left of
P( Z ≤−b )=0.0116
P( Z ≤−b )=1−∅ (−b )=0.0116
∅ (−b ) =1−0.0116=0.9884
−b=∅−1 ( 0.9884 ) =2.27
8.82−μ
=−2.27
σ
8.82−μ=−2.27 σ ….. (ii)
Solving (i) & (ii) simultaneously, σ =0.303∧μ=9.51

Approximation from Binomial distribution to Normal distribution

If X B ( n , p ) is thebinomial distribution with parameters n∧ p wher

μ=np∧σ 2=npq ; where q=1−p then X can be approximated ¿ V N ( μ , σ 2)

with the condition np>5∧nq>5 for symmmetrical property of

normal distribution . for data conversion ¿ binomial ¿ normal , use continuity

correction .

1. P ( X=10 )=P(9.5 ≤ V ≤ 10.5)

2. P ( X ≥10 )=P (V ≥ 9.5 )
3. P ( X <10 ) =P (V ≤ 9.5)
4. P ( 10< X <15 ) =P(10.5 ≤V ≤ 14.5)
5. P ( 10≤ X ≤ 15 )=P(9.5≤ V ≤15.5)
6. P ( 10< X ≤15 )=P(10.5 ≤V ≤ 15.5)
7. P ( 10≤ X <15 )=P(9.5 ≤ V ≤14.5)

Statistics for A-Levels

 Example:

A random variable X has a binomial distribution with parameters n = 80 and p=0.4.

Use a suitable approximation to calculate the following probabilities.

(a) P ( X < 34 )
(b) P ( X > 26 )
(c) P ( X = 33 )
(d) P (30 < X < 40).
The values of np and nq are given by np = 80 x 0.4 =32 and nq = 80 x (1 – 0.4) = 48. Since these
are both greater than 5 the normal distribution is a good approximation to the binomial
distribution, so you can approximate to X B (80, 0.4) by V N(np, npq) =
N(32, 19.2).
Now that you are working with a normal distribution, V, standardize by letting
V −32
Z= . Then Z N (0, 1).
√ 19.2
(a) P(X < 34) ≈ P(V < 34.5) = P¿
= ϕ (0.571) = 0.7160
= 0.716, correct to 3 decimal places.

(
(b) P( X ≥ 26 ) ≈ P ( V ≥ 25.5 )=P Z ≥ )
25.5−32
√19.2
=P ( Z ≥−1.483 )

= 1−ϕ (−1.483 ) =1−( 1−ϕ ( 1.483 ) ) =ϕ ( 1.483 )

= 0.9310 = 0.931, correct to 3 decimal places.

(
(c) P( X =33 ) ≈ P ( 32.5 ≤ 33.5 )=P
32.5−32
√ 19.2
≤Z≤
)
33.5−32
√19.2
= P( 0.114 ≤ Z ≤ 0.342 )=ϕ ( 0.342 )−ϕ ( 0.114 )
= 0.6338 - 0.5454 = 0.0884
= 0.088, correct to 3 decimal places.

(
(d) P( 30< X ≤ 40 ) ≈ P ( 30.5≤ V ≤ 40.5 )=P
30.5−32
√ 19.2
≤Z ≤
)40.5−32
√ 19.2
= P(−0.342 ≤ Z ≤ 1.940 ) =ϕ ( 1.940 )−ϕ (−0.342 )
=ϕ (1.940) – (1-ϕ (0.342))
=0.9738 – (1 – 0.6338) = 0.6076
= 0.608, correct to 3 decimal places.

Assignment
Q#01. Z N (0, 12). Find the following probabilities.

(a) P( Z ≥ 1.236 )
(b) P( Z>−0.067 )
(c) P( Z ≥ 1.645 )

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 0.1082 (b) 0.5267 (c) 0.05

Q#02. The random variable Z is distributed such that Z N (0, 1). Find these probabilities.

(a) P(0.387<Z<2.418)
(b) P(-1.815<Z<2.333)
(c) P(-0.847<Z≤2.034)

Answer: (a) 0.3417 (b) 0.9555 (c) 0.7804

Q#03. The random variable Z is distributed such that Z N (0, 1). Find these probabilities.

(a) P(-1.96 ≤ Z < 1.96)

(b) P(-2.326<Z<2.326)
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 (c) P(|Z|≤ 1.3)
(d) P(|Z| >2.4)

Answer: (a) 0.95 (b) 0.98 (c) 0.8064 (d) 0.0164

Q#04. The random variable Z N (0, 1). In each part, Find the value of s, t, u or v.

(a) P(Z>s) =0.4052

(b) P(Z>t) =0.9747
(c) P(Z>u) =0.8496
(d) P(Z<u) =0.0468
(e) P(|Z| <v) =0.50

Answer: (a) 0.24 (b) -1.955 (c) -1.035 (d) -1.677 (e) 0.674

Q#05. Given that X N (50, 16), find the following probabilities.

(a) P(54≤X ≤58)

(b) P(40<X ≤44)
(c) P(47<X<57)
(d) P(39≤X<53)

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 (e) P(44≤ X≤ 56)

Answer: (a) 0.1359 (b) 0.0606 (c) 0.7333 (d) 0.7704 (e) 0.8664

Q#06. Given that X N (44, 25), find s, t, u and v correct to 2 decimal places when

(a) P(X ≤ s) =0.9808,

(b) P(X≥t) =0.7704,
(c) P(X≥ u) =0.0495,
(d) P(X ≤ v) =0.3336.

Statistics for A-Levels

 A

nswer: (a) 54.35 (b) 40.30 (c) 52.25 (d) 41.85

Q#07. Given that X N (15, 4), find s, t, u, v and w correct to 2 decimal places when

(a) P(X ≤ s) =0.9141,

(b) P(X ≥ t) =0.5746,
(c) P(X≥ u) =0.1041,
(d) P(X ≤ v) =0.3924,
(e) P(| X−15|<¿ w) =0.9.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 17.73 (b) 14.62 (c) 17.51 (d) 14.45 (e) 3.29

Q#08. X is distributed normally, P(X≥59.1) =0.0218 and P(X ≥29.2) =0.9345. Find the mean and
standard deviation, correct to 3 significant figures.

Answer: 42.0, 8.47

Q#09. X N ( μ , σ 2 ) , P ( X ≥ 9.81 )=0.1587∧P ( X ≤8.82 )=0.0116 . Find μ∧σ , correct ¿ 3 Significant figures.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: 9.51, 0.303

Q#10. The time taken by a garage to replace worn-out brake pads follows a normal distribution with
mean 90 minutes and standard deviation 5.8 minutes.

(a) Find the probability that the garage takes longer than 150 minutes.
(b) Find the probability that the garage takes less than 85 minutes.
(c) The garage claims to complete the replacements in ‘a to b minutes’. If this claim is to be correct
for 9o% of the repairs, find a and b correct to 2 significant figures, based on a symmetrical
interval centered on the mean.

Answer: (a) 0.0048 (b) 0.1944 (c) 80, 100

Q#

11. The lengths of sweet pea flower stems are normally distribution with mean 18.2 cm and standard
deviation 2.3 cm.

(a) Find the probability that the length of a flower stem is between 16 cm and 20 cm.
(b) 12% of the flower stems are longer than h cm. 20% of the flower stems are shorter than k cm.
Find h and k.
(c) Stem lengths less than 14 cm are unacceptable at a florist’s shop. In a batch of 500 sweet peas
estimate how many would be unacceptable.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 0.164 (b) 20.9, 16.3 (c) 17

Q#12. The packets in which sugar is sold are labelled ‘1 kg packets’. In fact the mass of sugar in a packet
is distributed normally with mean mass 1.08 kg.
Sampling of the packets of sugar shows that just 2.5% are ‘underweight’ (that is, contain less than
the stated mass of 1 kg).
Find the standard deviation of the distribution.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: 0.041 kg
Q#13. In a certain country 12% of people have green eyes. If 50 people from this country are inspected,
find the probability that
(a) 12 or more of them have green eyes,
(b) Between 3 and 10 (inclusive) of them have green eyes.

Show that your approximation is valid.

Answer: (a) 0.0083 (b) 0.9110

np=6, nq=44, valid normal approximation

Statistics for A-Levels
Q#14. (a) An unbiased dice is thrown 60 times. Find the probability that a 5 is obtained on 12 to 18
(inclusive) of these throws.

(b) In a game two unbiased dice are thrown. A winning score on each throw is a total of 5, 6, 7 or 8.
Find the probability of a win on 70 or more throws out of 120 throws.

Answer: (a) 0.300 (b) 0.301

Q#15. At an election there are two parties, X and Y. On past experience twice as many people vote for
party X as for party Y.

An opinion poll researcher samples 90 voters. Find the probability that 70 or more say they will vote
for party X at the next election.

If 2000 researchers each question 90 voters, how many of these researchers would be expected to
record ’70 or more for party X’ results?

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: 0.0168, 34

Q#16. Videos are packed in a box which contains 20 videos. 5% of the videos are faulty. The boxes are
packed in crates which contain 50 boxes. Find the probabilities of the following events, clearly
stating which distribution you are using and why.

(a) A box contains two faulty videos.

(b) A box contains at least one faulty video.
(c) A crate contains between 35 and 39 (inclusive) boxes with at least one faulty video.

Answer: (a) 0.189, binomial,

Q#17. W is a normally distributed random variable with mean 0.58 and standard deviation 0.12. Find
P(W < 0.79).

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: 0.960

Q#18. A normally distributed random variable, X has mean 20.0 and variance 4.15. Find the probability
that 18.0 < X < 21.0.

Answer: 0.525

Q#19. The weight of eggs, measured in grams, can be modelled by a X N ( 85.0 ,36 )distribution. Eggs are
classified as large, medium or small, where a large egg weight 90.0 grams or more, and 25% of eggs
are classified as small. Calculate

(a) the percentage of eggs which are classified as large,

(b) the maximum weight of a small egg.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 20.2% (b)81.0 g

Q#20. The mass of grapes sold per day in a supermarket can be modelled by a normal distribution. It is
found that, over a long period, the mean mass sold per day is 35.0 kg, and that, on average, less than
15.0 kg are sold on one day in twenty.

(a) Show that the standard deviation of the mass of grapes sold per day is 12.2 kg, correct to 3
significant figures.
(b) Calculate the probability that, on a day chosen at random, more than 53.0 kg are sold.

Answer: (b) 0.069

Statistics for A-Levels
Q#21. Two firms, Goodline and Megadelay, produce delay lines for use in communications. The delay
time for a delay line is measured in nanoseconds (ns).

(a) The delay times for the output of Goodline may be modelled by a normal distribution with
mean 283 ns and standard deviation 8 ns. What is the probability that the delay time of one
line selected at random from Goodline’s output is between 275 and 286 ns?
(b) It is found that, in the output of Megadelay, 10% of the delay times are less than 274.6 ns and
7.5% are more than 288.2 ns. Again assuming a normal distribution, Calculate the mean and
standard deviation of the delay times for megadelay. Give your answers correct to 3 significant
figures.

Answer: (a) 0.488 (b) 281, 5.00

Q#22. A large box contains many plastic syringes , but previous experience indicates that 10% of the
syringes in the box are defected . 5 syringes are taken at random from the box. Use a binomial model
to calculate, giving your answers correct to three decimal places, the probability that

(a) none of the 5 syringes is defective,

(b) at least 2 syringes out of the 5 are defective.

Discuss the validity of the binomial model in this context.

Instead of removing 5 syringes, 100 syringes are picked at random and removed. A normal
distribution may be used to estimate the probability that at least 15 out of 100 syringes are defective.
Give a reason why it may be convenient to use a normal distribution to do this, and calculate the
required estimate.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) 0.590 (b) 0.081

The model assumes that defective syringes occur independently of each other, but this may not be
realistic in a manufacturing process.

It is convenient to use the normal approximation because less calculation is involved; 0.0668.

Q#23. On average my train is late on 45 journeys out of 100. Next week 1 shall be making 5 train
journeys. Let X denotes the number of times my train will be late.

(a) State one assumption which must be made for X to be modelled by a binomial distribution.
(b) Find the probability that my train will be late on all of the 5 journeys.
(c) Find the probability that my train will be late on 2 or more out of the 5 journeys.

Approximate your binomial model by a suitable normal model to estimate the probability that my
train is late on 20 or more out of 50 journeys.

Statistics for A-Levels

 Answer: (a) Late trains occur independently of each other. The probability that a train is late is
constant.

(b) 0.0184 (c) 0.744

0.803 using the model N (22.5, 12.375)

Q#24. The random variable Y is such that Y N (8, 25). Show that, correct to 3 decimal places, P
(|Y −8|< 6.2 )=0.785 .
Three random observations of Y are made. Find the probability that exactly two observations will lie
in the interval defined by |Y −8|<6.2 .

Answer: 0.397

Past Papers Questions:

Q#01: Cans of lemon juice are supposed to contain 440 ml of juice. It is found that the actual volume of
juice in a can is normally distributed with mean 445 ml and standard deviation 3.6 ml.
(i) Find the probability that a randomly chosen can contains less than 440 ml of juice.
It is found that 94% of the cans contain between (445-c) ml and (445+c) ml of juice.
(ii) Find the value of c.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#02: The mean of a certain normally distributed variable is four times the standard deviation. The
probability that a randomly chosen value is greater than 5 is 0.15.

(i) Find the mean and standard deviation.

(ii) 200 values of the variable are chosen at random. Find the probability that at least 160 of these
values are less than 5.
(iii)

Q#03: The time taken to play Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony can be assumed to have a normal
distribution with mean 41.1 minutes and standard deviation 3.4 minutes. Three occasions on
which this symphony is played are chosen at random.

(i) Find the probability that the symphony takes longer than 42 minutes to play on exactly 1 of these
occasions.
The times taken to play Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony can also be assumed to have a normal
distribution. The probability that the time is less than 26.5 minutes is 0.1, and the probability
that the time is more than 34.6 minutes is 0.05.
(ii) Find the mean and standard deviation of the time to play this symphony.
(iii) Assuming that the times to play the two symphonies are independently of each other, find the
probability that, when both symphonies are played, both of the times are less than 34.6 minutes.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#04: The lengths, in centimeters, of drinking straws produced in a factory have a normal distribution
with mean, μ and variance 0.64. It is given that 10% of the straws are shorter than 20cm.

(i) Find the value of μ.

(ii) Find the probability that, of 4 straws chosen at random, fewer than 2 will have a length between
2.1.5 cm and 22.5 cm.

Q#05: In Scotland, in November, on average 80% of days is cloudy. Assume that the weather on any
one day is independent of the weather on other days.

(i) Use a normal approximation to find the probability of there being fewer than 25 cloudy days in
Scotland in November (30 days).
Statistics for A-Levels
(ii) Given a reason why the use of a normal approximation is justified.

Q#06: The lengths of new pencils are normally distributed with mean 11 cm and standard deviation
0.095 cm.

(i) Find the probability that a pencil chosen at random has a length greater than 10.9 cm.
(ii) Find the probability that, in a randomly sample of 6 pencils, at least two have lengths less than
10.9 cm.

Q#07: The random variable X is normally distributed with mean μ and standard deviation σ .

(i) Given that 5σ =3 μ, find P(X<2 μ).

Statistics for A-Levels

 1
(ii) With a different relationship between μ and σ , it is given that P(X< μ) =0.8524. Express μ in
3
terms of σ .

Q#08:

39 63 Wind speed (km h-1)

Measurements of wind speed on a certain island were taken over a period of one year. A box-and-
wisker plot of the data obtained is displayed above, and the values of the quartiles are as shown. It
is suggested that wind speed can be modelled approximately by a normal distribution with mean
−1
μ km h .

(i) Estimate the value of μ.

(ii) Estimate the value of σ .

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#09:

(i) The daily minimum temperature in degrees Celsius (oC) in January in Ottawa is a random variable
with distribution N(-15.1, 62.0). Find the probability that a randomly chosen day in January in
Ottawa has a minimum temperature above 0 oC.
(ii) In another city the daily minimum temperature oC in January is a random variable with
distribution N( μ, 40.0). In this city the probability that a randomly chosen day in January has a
minimum temperature above 0 oC is 0.8888. Find the value of μ.

Q#10: On any occasion when a particular gymnast performs a certain, routine, the probability that she
will perform it correctly is 0.65, independently of all other occasions.

(i) Find the probability that she will perform the routine correctly on exactly 5 occasions out of 7.
(ii) On one day she performs the routine 50 times. Use a suitable approximation to estimate the
probability that she will perform the routine correctly on fewer than 29 occasions.
(iii) On another day she performs the routine n times. Find the smallest value of n for which the
expected number of correct performances is at least 8.

Statistics for A-Levels

 1
Q#11: The probability that New Year’s Day is on a Saturday in a randomly chosen year is .
7

(i) 15 years are chosen randomly. Find the probability that at least 3 of these years have New Year’s
Day on a Saturday.
(ii) 56 years are chosen randomly. Use a suitable approximation to find the probability that more than
7 of these years have New Year’s Day on a Saturday.

Q#12:

(a) The random variable X is normally distributed. The mean is twice the standard deviation. It is given
that P(X>5.2) = 0.9. Find the standard deviation.
(b) A normal distribution has mean μ and standard deviationσ . If 800 observation are taken from this
distribution, how many would you expect to be between μ−σ and μ+σ ?

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#13: A manufacture makes two sizes of elastic bands: large and small. 40% of the bands produced are
large bands and 60% are small bands. Assuming that each pack of these elastic bands contains a
random selection, calculate the probability that, in a pack containing 20 bands, there are

(i) Equal numbers of large and small bands,

(ii) More than 17 small bands.
An office pack contains 150 elastic bands.
(iii) Using a suitable approximation, calculate the probability that the number of small bands in the
office pack is between 88 and 97 inclusive.

Q#14: A survey of adults in a certain large town found that 76% of people wore a watch on their left
wrist, 15% wore a watch on their right wrist and 9% did not wear a watch.

(i) A random sample of 14 adults was taken. Find the probability that more than 2 adults did not wear
a watch.
(ii) A random sample of 200 adults was taken. Using a suitable approximation, find the probability
that more than 155 wore a watch on their left wrist.
Statistics for A-Levels
Q#15: The lengths of fish of a certain type have a normal distribution with mean 38 cm. It is found that
5% of the fish are longer than 50 cm.

(i) Find the standard deviation.

(ii) When fish chosen for sale, those shorter than 30 cm are rejected. Find the proportion of fish
rejected.
(iii) 9 fish are chosen at random. Find the probability that at least one of them is longer than 50 cm.

Q#16: In tests on a new type of light bulb it was found that the time they lasted followed a normal
distribution with standard deviation 40.6 hours. 10% lasted longer than 5130 hours.

(i) Find the mean life time, giving your answer to the nearest hour.
(ii) Find the probability that a light bulb fails to last for 5000 hours.
(iii) A hospital buys 600 of these light bulbs. Using a suitable approximation, find the probability that
fewer than 65 light bulbs will last longer than 5130 hours.

Statistics for A-Levels

Q#17: Tyre pressures on a certain type of car independently follow a normal distribution with mean 1.9
bars and standard deviation 0.15 bars.

(i) Find the probability that all four tyres on a car of this type have pressures between 1.82 bars and
1.92 bars.
(ii) Safety regulations state that the pressures must be between 1.9 – b bars and 1.9 + b bars. It is
known that 80% of tyres are within these safety limits. Find the safety limits.

Q#18: Kamal has 30 hens. The probability that any hen lays an egg on any day is 0.7. Hens do not lay
more than one egg per day, and the day on which a hen lays an egg are independent.

(i) Calculate the probability that, on any particular day, Kamal’s hens lay exactly 24 eggs.
(ii) Use a suitable approximation to calculate the probability that Kamal’s hens lay fewer than 20 eggs
on any particular day.

Q#19:

Statistics for A-Levels

(i) The height of sunflowers follows a normal distribution with means 112 cm and standard deviation
17.2 cm. Find the probability that the height of a randomly chosen sunflowers is greater than 120
cm.
(ii) When a new fertilizer is used, the height of sunflowers follows a normal distribution with means
115 cm. Given that 80% of the heights are now greater than 103 cm, find the standard deviation.

Q#20:

(i) The number of calories in egg salads served in a restaurant is normally distributed with means 200
and standard deviation 5. Find the probability that an egg salad selected at random will contain
more than 209 calories.
(ii) The number of calories in cheese salads is normally distributed with standard deviation 5. Given
that 1% of cheese salads contain more than 220 calories, find the mean number of calories in
cheese salads.
(iii) When choosing a salad, 60% of people choose a cheese salad. Use a suitable approximation to find
the probability that, out of a group of 130 people, 90 or fewer will choose a cheese salad.

Statistics for A-Levels

Statistics for A-Levels