IB DP Maths Topic 7.2 Expectation of the product of independent random variables HL Paper 3

Question

The weights, X kg, of the males of a species of bird may be assumed to be normally distributed with mean 4.8 kg and standard deviation 0.2 kg.

The weights, Y kg, of female birds of the same species may be assumed to be normally distributed with mean 2.7 kg and standard deviation 0.15 kg.

a.Find the probability that a randomly chosen male bird weighs between 4.75 kg and 4.85 kg.[1]

b.Find the probability that the weight of a randomly chosen male bird is more than twice the weight of a randomly chosen female bird.[6]

c.Two randomly chosen male birds and three randomly chosen female birds are placed on a weighing machine that has a weight limit of 18 kg. Find the probability that the total weight of these five birds is greater than the weight limit.[4]

▶️Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

Note: In question 1, accept answers that round correctly to 2 significant figures.

P(4.75 < X < 4.85) = 0.197      A1

[1 mark]

a.

Note: In question 1, accept answers that round correctly to 2 significant figures.

consider the random variable X − 2Y     (M1)

E(X − 2Y) =  − 0.6     (A1)

Var(X − 2Y) = Var(X) + 4Var(Y)     (M1)

= 0.13     (A1)

X − 2Y ∼ N(−0.6, 0.13)

P(X − 2Y > 0)     (M1)

= 0.0480     A1

[6 marks]

b.

Note: In question 1, accept answers that round correctly to 2 significant figures.

let W = X1 + X2 + Y1 + Y2 + Y3 be the total weight

E(W) = 17.7     (A1)

Var(W) = 2Var(X) + 3Var(Y) = 0.1475     (M1)(A1)

W ∼ N(17.7, 0.1475)

P(W > 18) = 0.217     A1

[4 marks]

c.

Examiners report

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a.

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b.

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c.
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