Chap 006

Chapter 06 - Discrete Probability Distributions
Chapter 6
Discrete Probability Distributions
6.1 Example A is a probability distribution because the sum of P(x) is 1 (.8 + .2 = 1) and all
probabilities are nonnegative.
ExamplesB and C are not probability distributions because the sum of P(x) is .95 for B and
1.30 for C.
Learning Objective: 06-3
6.2 a. Based on the table below we see that: E(X) = 57.5, V(X) = 506.25,  = 22.5.
b. The distribution is skewed to the right.
x P(x) xP(x) xE(X) P(x)[xE(X)]2

25 0.20 5.00 -32.50 211.25
50 0.40 20.00 -7.50 22.5
75 0.30 22.50 17.50 91.875
100 0.10 10.00 42.50 180.625
Total 1.00 57.50 506.25
6.3 a. Based on the table below: E(X) = 2.25, V(X) = 1.6875,  = 1.299.
b. The distribution is skewed to the right.
x P(x) xP(x) xE(X) P(x)[xE(X)]2

0 0.05 0.00 -2.25 0.25
1 0.30 0.30 -1.25 0.47
2 0.25 0.50 -0.25 0.02
3 0.20 0.60 0.75 0.11
4 0.15 0.60 1.75 0.46
5 0.05 0.25 2.75 0.38
Total 1.00 2.25 1.6875
6.4 X is the amount of the “value” of a bottle. X can be either $215,000, the value of the
Lamborghini, or $0. To find the expected value multiply each value of X by the
associated probability. E(X) = ($215,000)(.00000884)+($0)(.99999116) = 1.9006.
6.5 X is the amount of the claim. Assume a student who files a claim will claim the maximum
amount of $5000. The values of X are either $5000 or $0.Expected payout = E(X) =
$5000(.01)+($0)(.999) = $50, so company adds $25 and charges $75.
6-1
6.6 X is the lottery ticket winnings. The values of X are either $28 million or $0. The expected
winning is E(X) = $28,000,000(.000000023)+$0(.999999977) = $0.644. Because the
lottery ticket costs more than the expected winnings ($1.00> $0.644) the ticket is too high
to buy.
6.7 Let Xequal the loss during a hurricane. The values of Xare either $250 million, $950 million,
or $0. Expected Loss = E(X ) = $250(.3) + $950(.3) + $0(.4) = $360 million.
6.8 Usinga = 0000 and b = 9999,μ =(0000 + 9999)/2 = 4999.5.

 = [(9999  0 + 1) 2  1] / 12 = 2886.75
6.9 a. With a = 20 and b = 60, m = (20 + 60) / 2 = 40 and  = [(60  20 + 1) 2  1] / 12 = 11.83

39  20 + 1
b. P(X 40) = 1P(X≤39) = 1 = .5122.
60  20 + 1
29  20 + 1
P(X30) = 1P(X ≤ 29) = 1 = .7561.
60  20 + 1
6.10 a. Answers will vary but the excel function is =RANDBETWEEN(1,2) and the mean and
standard deviation of the numbers generated should be close to m = 1.5 and  = .50
because
a + b 1+ 2 [(b  a) + 1]2  1 [(2  1) + 1]2  1
= = 1.5 and = = .5
2 2 12 12
b. Answers will vary but the excel function is =RANDBETWEEN() and the mean and
standard deviation of the numbers generated should be close to m = 3.0 and = 1.41.
c. Answers will vary but the excel function is =RANDBETWEEN() and the mean and
standard deviation of the numbers generated should be close to m = 49.5 and  = 28.87.
d. See parts a thru c.
e. See parts a thru c.
6.11 Answers may vary and 0 and 1 are interchangeable.

a. 1 = correct, 0 = incorrect
b. 1= insured, 0 = uninsured
c. 1 = busy, 0 = not busy
d. 1 = lost weight, 0 = no weight loss
6.12 a.  = .5 (desirable)
b.  = .5 (desirable)
c.  = .8 (undesirable)
6-2
d.  = .5 (desirable)
Each of the probabilities above could be different if information about frequency of
“success” is known.
6.13 a. X = 0, 1, or 2
b. X = 4, 5, 6, or 7
c. X = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10
6.14 a. P ( X �7)
b. P( X < 4)
c. P ( X �2)
6.15 a. m = (8)(.1) = 0.8,  = (8)(.1)(1  .1) = 0.8485

b. m = (10)(.4) = 4,  = (10)(.4)(1  .4) = 1.5492
c. m = (12)(.5) = 6,  = (12)(.5)(1  .5) = 1.7321
6.16 a. m = (30)(.9) = 27,  = (30)(.9)(1  .9) = 1.6432

b. m = (80)(.7) = 56,  = (80)(.7)(1  .7) = 4.0988
c. m = (20)(.8) = 16,  = (20)(.8)(1  .8) = 1.7889
9!
6.17 a. P ( X = 5) = .95 (1  .9)95 = .0074
5!(9  5)!
6!
b. P( X = 0) = .20 (1  .2) 60 = .2621
0!(6  0)!
9!
c. P ( X = 9) = .89 (1  .8)99 = .1342
9!(9  9)!
8!
6.18 a. P( X = 2) = .102 (1  .10)82 = .1488
2!(8  2)!
10!
b. P( X = 1) = .401 (1  .40)101 = .0403
1!(10  1)!
12!
c. P ( X = 3) = .703 (1  .70)123 = .0015
3!(12  3)!
6-3
6-4
6.19 Use the Excel function =BINOM.DIST(x,n,π,1) where “1” stands for cumulative.
a. P(X≤ 3) =BINOM.DIST(3,8,.2,1) = .9437
b. P(X>7) = 1 –P(X≤ 7) = 1-BINOM.DIST(7,10,.5,1) = .0547
c. P(X<3) =P(X≤ 2) =BINOM.DIST(2,6,.7.1) = .0705
a. P(X ≤ 10) =BINOM.DIST(10,14,.95,1) = .00417
b. P(X>2) = 1 –P(X≤2) = 1-BINOM.DIST(2,5,.45,1) = .4069
c. P(X≤ 1) =BINOM.DIST(1,10,.15,1) = .5443
a. P(X> 10) = 1 –P(X≤10) =1-BINOM.DIST(10,16,.8,1) =.9183
b. P(X≥4) = 1 –P(X≤3) =1-BINOM.DIST(3,8,.4,1) = .4059
c. P(X ≤ 2) =BINOM.DIST(2,6,.2,1) = .9011
a. P(X<4 ) = P(X≤ 3) =BINOM.DIST(3,12,.10,1)= .9744.
b. P(X≥3) = 1 – P(X≤ 2) =1-BINOM.DIST(2,7,.40,1) = .5801.
c. P(X ≤ 9) =BINOM.DIST(9,14,.60,1) = .7207.
6.23 The number of customers out of the next 10 who pay with American Express is a binomial
random variable with n = 10 and π = .2.
a. P(X=0) =BINOM.DIST(0,10,.2,0) = .1074.
b. P(X≥2) = 1 – P(X≤ 1)=1-BINOM.DIST(1,10,.2,1)= .6242.
c. P(X< 3) = P(X≤ 2) =BINOM.DIST(2,10,.2,1) = .6778
d. μ=nπ =(10)(.2) = 2
e. σ= (10)(.2)(1  .2) = 1.2649
f. See below.
g. Skewed to the right.
6-5
6.24 The number of customers out of 12 who have an incorrect address in the database is a
binomial random variable with n = 12 and π = .05.
12!
a. P( X = 0) = .050 (1  .05)120 = .5404 or use Excel: =BINOM.DIST(0,12,.05,0).
0!(12  0)!
12!
b. P( X = 1) = .051 (1  .05)121 = .3413 or use Excel: =BINOM.DIST(1,12,.05,0).
1!(12  1)!
12!
c. P( X = 2) = .052 (1  .05)122 = .0988 or use Excel: =BINOM.DIST(2,12,.05,0).
2!(12  2)!
d. P( X < 3) = P( X �2) = P( X = 0) + P( X = 1) + P( X = 2) = .9804. Either add parts a-c
above or use the Excel function =BINOM.DIST(2,12,.05,1) = .9804.
e. See below, skewed to the right.
6.25 The number of customers out of the next 5 who order a nonalcoholic beverage is a binomial
a. P(X=0) =BINOM.DIST(0,5,.38,0) = .0916
b. P(X≥2) = 1–P(X≤ 1) =1-BINOM.DIST(1,5,.38,1) = .6276
c. P(X<4) = P(X≤ 3) =BINOM.DIST(3,5,.38,1) = .9274
d. P(X=5) =BINOM.DIST(5,5,.38,0) = .0079
6.26 The number of car buyers out of a sample of 8 who use the Internet for research is a binomial
8!
a. P ( X = 8) = .608 (1  .60)88 = .0168 or use Excel: =BINOM.DIST(8,8,.6,0).
8!(8  8)!
b. P ( X �5) = 1  P( X �4) =1-BINOM.DIST(4,8,.60,) = .5941.
c. P( X > 4) = 1  P( X �4) =1-BINOM.DIST(4,8,.60,1) = .5941.Note that we could also use
the answer from part b because P( X �5) = P( X > 4) .
6-6
d. m = n = (8)(.60) = 4.8 and  = 8(.6)(.4) = 1.3856 .

e. It is almost symmetric (slightly left-skewed).
6.27 The number of passengers out of a sample of 16 who check their bags is a binomial random
variable with n = 16 and π = .7.
16!
a. P(X = 16) = (.7)16 (1-.7)0 = .0033 or use Excel: =BINOM.DIST(16,16,.7,0).
0!16!
b. P(X< 10) = P(X ≤ 9) =BINOM.DIST(9,16,.7,1) = .1753.
c. P(X ≥ 10) = 1P(X ≤ 9) =1-BINOM.DIST(9,16,.7,1) = .8247.
6.28 The number of drivers stopped for speeding out of a sample of 12 who have an invalid
drivers license is a binomial random variable with n = 12 and π = .15.
12!
a. P ( X = 0) = .150 (1  .15)120 = .1422 or use Excel: =BINOM.DIST(0,12,.15,0).
0!(12  0)!
12!
b. P( X = 1) = .151 (1  .15)121 = .3012 or use Excel: =BINOM.DIST(1,12,.15,0).
1!(12  1)!
c. P ( X �2) = 1  P( X �1) =1-BINOM.DIST(1,12,.15,1) = .5565.
6.29 a.  = 1, m= = 1.0 and =  =1.

b.  = 2, m= = 2.0 and =  =1.414.
c.  = 4, m= = 4.0 and =  =2.0
6.30 a.  = 9, m= = 9.0 and =  =3.

b.  = 12, m= = 12.0 and =  =3.464.
c.  = 7, m= = 7.0 and =  = 2.646.
6-7
LO6
(4.0)6 (e) 4.0
6.31 a.  = 4, P ( X = 6) = = .1042 . Can also use Excel: =POISSON.DIST(6,4,0).
6!
(12.0)10 (e) 12.0
b.  = 12, P ( X = 10) = = .1048 . Can also use Excel:
10!
=POISSON.DIST(10,12,0).
(7.0)4 (e) 7.0
c.  = 7, P( X = 4) = = .0912 . Can also use Excel: =POISSON.DIST(4,7,0).
4!
(.1) 2 (e) .1

6.32 a.  = 0.1, P ( X = 2) = = .0045 . Can also use Excel: =POISSON.DIST(2,.1,0).
2!
(2.2)1 (e) 2.2
b.  = 2.2, P ( X = 1) = = .2438 Can also use Excel: =POISSON.DIST(1,1.1,0).
1!
(1.6)3 ( e) 1.6
c.  = 1.6, P ( X = 3) = = .1378 Can also use Excel: =POISSON.DIST(3,1.6,0).
3!
6.33 Use the Excel function =POISSON.DIST(x,λ,1) where “1” stands for cumulative.
a.  = 4.3, P(X 3) =POISSON.DIST(3,4.3,1) =.3772.
b.  = 5.2, P(X> 7) = 1 – P(X ≤ 7) =1-POISSON.DIST(7,5.2,1) =.1551.
c.  = 2.7, P(X< 3) =P(X ≤ 2) =POISSON.DIST(2,2.7,1) =.4936.
a.  = 11.0, P(X 10) =POISSON.DIST(10,11,1) =.4599.
b.  = 5.2, P(X> 3) = 1 − P(X ≤ 3) =1-POISSON.DIST(3,5.2,1) =.7619.
c.  = 3.7, P(X< 2) =P(X ≤ 1)=POISSON.DIST(1,3.7,1) =.1162.
a.  = 8.0, P(X> 10) = 1 − P(X 10) =1-POISSON.DIST(10,8,1) =.1841.
b.  = 4.0, P(X≤ 5) =POISSON.DIST(5,4,1) =.7851.
c.  = 5.0, P(X≥ 2) = 1 −P(X ≤ 1)=1-POISSON.DIST(1,5,1) =.9596.
a.  = 5.8, P(X<4) = P(X≤ 3) =POISSON.DIST(3,5.8,1) =.1700.
b.  = 4.8, P(X ≥ 3) = 1 – P(X≤ 2) =1-POISSON.DIST (2,4.8,1) = .8574.
c.  = 7.0, P(X≤ 9) =POISSON.DIST (9,7,1) =.8305.
6-8
6.37 The number of problems per vehicle is a Poisson random variable with λ = 1.7.
a. P(X ≥ 1) = 1 – P(X= 0) =1-POISSON.DIST(0,1.7,0) = .8173.
b. P(X= 0) =POISSON.DIST(0,1.7,0) = .1827.
c. P(X> 3) = 1P(X≤ 3) =1-POISSON.DIST(3,1.7,1) = .0932
d. Skewed right.
6.38 a. Cancellations are independent, come one at a time. We also know that cancellations are
discrete and that we are given a mean rate per unit of time.
(1.5)0 ( e) 1.5
b. P( X = 0) = = .2231 Can also use Excel: =POISSON.DIST(0,1.5,0).
0!
(1.5)1 (e) 1.5
c. P ( X = 1) = = .3347 Can also use Excel: =POISSON.DIST(1,1.5,0).
1!
d. P(X>2) =1 P(X≤2) =1-POISSON.DIST(2,1.5,1) = .1912.
e. P(X5) =1 P(X≤4)=1-POISSON.DIST(4,1.5,1) = .0186.
6.39 a. The number of add-ons is discrete and we’ll assume they “arrive” one at a time and
areindependent.
b. P(X ≥ 2) = 1 – P(X ≤ 1) =1-POISSON.DIST(1,1.4,1) = .4082.
c. P(X = 0) = POISSON.DIST(0,1.0,0) = .2466.
d. Skewed right.
6-9
6.40 a. Not independent events, the warm room leads to yawns from all.
b. Answers will vary. Possible example: The occurrence of a contagious illness in a
particular geographic area. The fact the illness is contagious suggests the “arrivals” are
not independent.
6.41 Let  = n = (500)(.003) = 1.5

a. P(X ≥ 2) = 1 – P(X≤ 1) =1-POISSON.DIST(1,1.5,1) = .4422.
b. P(X<4) =P(X≤ 3) =.9344.
c. Yes, based on our rule of thumb n 20 and  .05.
6.42 Let  = n = (100000)(.000002) = 2

a. P(X≥1) = 1P(X=0)=1-POISSON.DIST(0,2,0) = .8647.
b. P(X≥2) = 1 – P(X≤1)=1-POISSON.DIST(1,2,1) = .5940.
c. Yes, based on our rule of thumb n 20 and  .05.
6.43 a. μ = n =(200)(.03) = 6 letters.

b.  = (200)(.03)(1  .03) = 2.412.
c. Using the Poisson approximation to the binomial:
P(X ≥10) = 1 – P(X≤9) =1-POISSON.DIST(9,6,1) = .0839. If using Excel to calculate
the exact binomial: P(X ≥ 10) =1-BINOM.DIST(9,200,.03,1) = .0808.
d. Using the Poisson approximation to the binomial:
P(X≤4) =POISSON.DIST(4,6,1) = .2851. If using Excel to calculate the exact binomial:
P(X ≤ 4) =BINOM.DIST(4,200,.03,1) = .2810.
e. Yes, based on our rule of thumb n 20 and  .05
6.44 Let  = n = (100)(.01) = 1. P(X ≥ 2) = 1 – P(X ≤ 1)=1-POISSON.DIST(1,1,1) = .2642.

6-10
6.45 a. Expected Value = μ= n==

b. Poisson approximation: P(X = 0) =POISSON.DIST(0,2.3,0) = .1003
P(X> 2) =1 P(X ≤ 2) =1-POISSON.DIST(2,2.3,1) = .4040.
c. The approximation is fairly accurate because n20 and .05.
6.46 a. i.X = 0, 1, 2, or 3
ii. X = 0, 1, 2, or 3
iii. X = 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4
iv. X = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7
s C x N  s Cn  x C C
b. i. P(X = 3)= = 4 3 104 33 = .0333
N Cn 10 C3
ii. P(X = 2) = = 3 2 203 52 = .1316
N Cn 20 C5
iii. P(X = 1) = = 9 1 369 41 = .4469
N Cn 36 C4
iv. P(X = 3) = = 10 3 5010 7 3 = .1098
N Cn 50 C7
c. i. =HYPGEOM.DIST(3,3,4,10,0) = .0333
ii. =HYPGEOM.DIST(2,5,3,20,0) = .1316
iii. =HYPGEOM.DIST(1,4,9,36,0) = .4469
iv. =HYPGEOM.DIST(3,7,10,50,0) = .1098
6.47 a.
b. The distribution is symmetric with a small range (2 to 4).

6.48 a. Let X = number of essay questions the student receives. Using Excel with N = 60, n = 10,
and s = 6:
P(X = 0) =HYPGEOM.DIST(0,10,6,60,0) = .3174
P(X = 1) =HYPGEOM.DIST(1,10,6,60,0) = .4232
6-11
P(X = 2) =HYPGEOM.DIST(2,10,6,60,0) = .2070

P(X = 3) =HYPGEOM.DIST(3,10,6,60,0) = .0470
P(X = 4) =HYPGEOM.DIST(4,10,6,60,0) = .0051
P(X = 5) =HYPGEOM.DIST(5,10,6,60,0) = .0000
P(X = 6) =HYPGEOM.DIST(6,10,6,60,0) = .0000 and all of these added together = 1.
b. P(X = 0) = =HYPGEOM.DIST(0,10,6,60,0) = .3174
c. P(X 1) = 1 P(X = 0) =1-HYPGEOM.DIST(0,10,6,60,0) = .6826.
d. P(X 2) = 1 P(X 1)=1-HYPGEOM.DIST(1,10,6,60,1) = .2954.
e. Skewed right.
6.49 a. Let X = number of incorrect vouchers in sample. Use Excel with N = 50, n = 5, and s =
20.
b. P(X = 0) =HYPGEOM.DIST(0,5,20,50,0) = .0673
c. P(X = 1) =HYPGEOM.DIST(1,5,20,50,0) = .2587
d. P(X 3) = 1 P(X 2) =1-HYPGEOM.DIST(2,5,20,50,1) = .3100
e. Fairly symmetric or slightly skewed right.
6.50 a. Let X = number of HIV specimens in sample. Using Excel with N = 40, n = 5 and s = 8:
P(X = 0) =HYPGEOM.DIST(0,5,8,40,0) = .3060
P(X = 1) =HYPGEOM.DIST(1,5,8,40,0) = .4372
P(X = 2) =HYPGEOM.DIST(2,5,8,40,0) = .2111
6-12
P(X = 3) =HYPGEOM.DIST(3,5,8,40,0) = .0422

P(X = 4) =HYPGEOM.DIST(4,5,8,40,0) = .0034
P(X = 5) =HYPGEOM.DIST(5,5,8,40,0) = .0000
b. P(X = 0) =HYPGEOM.DIST(0,5,8,40,0) = .3060
c. P(X< 3) = P(X 2) =HYPGEOM.DIST(2,5,8,40,1) =.9543.
d. P(X 2) = 1 P(X 1) =1-HYPGEOM.DIST(1,5,8,40,1) = .2568.
e. Skewed right.
6.51 a. n/N = 3/100 = .03 < .05 therefore it is safe to use binomial approximation with π = s/N=
40/100 = .4.
Binomial approximation:P(X = 3) =BINOM.DIST(3,3,.4,0) = .0640.
Exact probability:P(X = 3) =HYPGEOM.DIST(3,3,40,100,0) = .0611.
b. n/N = 10/200 = .05 therefore it isprobably safe touse binomial approximation withπ = s/N
= 60/200 = .3.
Binomial approximation: P(X = 2) =BINOM.DIST(2,10,.3,0) = .2335.
Exact probability: =HYPGEOM.DIST(2,10,60,200,0) = .2354.
c. n/N = 12/160 = .075 > .05 therefore it isn’t safe to use binomial approximation. If one
were to use the binomial approximate π = s/N = 16/160 = .10.
d. n/N = 7/500 = .014 < .05, therefore it is safe to use binomial approximation with π = s/N
= 350/100 = .7.
6.52 a. X = the number of vouchers with errors. X has a hypergeometric distribution with N =
200, s = 20, and n = 5. Because n/N< .05 it is safe to use the binomial approximation
withπ = s/N = 20/200 = .1.
b. P(X = 0)=BINOMDIST(0,5,.1,0) = .5905
c. P(X 2) = 1–P(X1) =1-BINOMDIST(1,5,.1,1) = .0815.
6-13
6.53 a. X = the number of firearms backgrounds checks that show a felony conviction. X has a
hypergeometric distribution with N = 500, s = 50, and n = 10. Because n/N = 10/500 = .
02 < .05 it is safe to use the binomial with  = s/N= 50/500 = .1.
b. P(X=0)=BINOM.DIST(0,10,.1,0) = .3487.
c. P(X 2) = 1 – P(X≤1) =1-BINOM.DIST(1,10,.1,1) =.2639.
d. P(X<4) = P(X≤3) =BINOM.DIST(3,10,.1,1) = .9872.
6.54 a. X = the number of vehicles that comply with California emissions law. X has a
hypergeometric distribution with N = 400, s = 320, and n = 6. Because n/N = 6/400 = .
015< 0.05 it is safe to use the binomial approximation withπ = s/N = 320/400 = .8.
b. P(X=6) =BINOM.DIST(6,6,.8,0)= .2621.
c. P(X≥4) = 1 P(X≤3) =1-BINOMDIST(3,6,.8,1) = .9011.
6.55 a. P(X = 5) = (.5)(1−.5)5-1 = .0313.

b. P(X = 3) = (.25)(1−.25)3-1 = .1406.
c. P(X = 4) = (.6)(1−.6)4-1 = .0384.
6.56 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.20) = 5

b. Using the geometric CDF, P(X≤ 10) =1 − (1 − )x = 1 −(1 − .20)10 = .8926.
6.57 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.50) = 2

b. Using the geometric CDF, P(X> 10) = 1 − [1 − (1−.50)10 ]= .5010 = .00098
6.58 a. m = 79.62.54 = 202.184 cm

b. = 3.242.54 = 8.2296 cm
c. Rule 1 for the mean and Rule 2 for the standard deviation.
6.59 a. Applying Rule 3, we add the means for each month to get m =9500+7400 + 8600 =
$25,500. Applying Rule 4, we add the variances for each month and then take the square
root of this sum to find the standard deviation for the quarter: 2 = 1250+1425+1610 =
4285.σ = (4285).5 = 65.4599.
b. Rule 4 assumes that the sales for each month are independent of each other. This may not
be valid, given that a prior month’s sales usually influence the next month’s sales.
6.60 m = (5/9)(37.1)–17.78 = 2.83° C,  = (5/9)(10.3) = 5.72° C

6.61 a. Let Y = Bob’s point total. . m Y = (5)(80) = 400,  Y = (25)(5) = 11 .18
6-14
b. No, given that the standard deviation is 11.18, 450 is more than three standard deviations
from the mean.
6.62 The probability of a payout is 1  .99863 = .00137. The expected payout is (.00137)
(1,000,000) = $1,370 dollars. To break even, the company would charge $1,370.
6.63 The expected loss is E(X) = ($250)(.02) + ($0)(.98) = $5. This exceeds the $4 cost of
insurance (assuming you would lose the entire cost of the PDA). Statistically, it is worth
it to insure to obtain “worry-free” shipping, despitethe small likelihood of a loss.
6.64 a. If uniform, m = (1 + 5)/2 =3 and  = [(5  1 + 1)2  1] / 12 = 1.414 .

b. Answers will vary.
c. Answers will vary.
d. =RANDBETWEEN(1,5)
6.65 a.  = .80 (answers will vary).

b.  = .300 (answers will vary).
c.  = .50 (answers will vary).
d.  = .80 (answers will vary).
e. Outcomes of one trial might influence the next. For example, if I fail to make a free
throw because I shot the ball “long”, I will adjust my next shot to be a little “shorter,”
hence, violating the independence rule.
6.66 This is a discrete binomial probability problem with "success" as "order bread" and "failure"
as "do not order bread". The probability of success, π, is .14 and the number of trials, n,
is 10.
a. P(X> 5) = 1–P(X ≤ 5). Using Excel: =1-BINOM.DIST(5,10,.14,1) = 1– .99905 = .00095.
b. P(X ≤ 2). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(2,10,.14,1) = .8455.
c. P(X = 0). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(0,10,.14,0) = .2213.
d. From MegaStat we obtain the probability distribution and probability histogram. The
distribution is skewed to the right. Or we could recognize that because π < .5 the
distribution is skewed right.
6-15
Binomial
distribution
10 n
0.14 p
cumulative
X P(X) probability
0 0.22130 0.22130
1 0.36026 0.58156
2 0.26391 0.84547
3 0.11457 0.96004
4 0.03264 0.99267
5 0.00638 0.99905
6 0.00086 0.99991
7 0.00008 0.99999
8 0.00000 1.00000
9 0.00000 1.00000
10 0.00000 1.00000
6.67 Define X to be the number of vehicles that fail the emissions test.X is binomial with n =10
and π = .1.
a. P(X=0) = .5905.Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(0,5,.1,0) .
b. P(X= 1) = .3281.Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(1,5,.1,0).
c. Strongly skewed to the right.
6.68 This is a discrete binomial probability problem with "success" as "can transact business in a
foreign language" and "failure" as "cannot transact business in a foreign language".
Probability of success, π, is .20 and the number of trials, n, is 10.
a. P(X=0) =BINOM.DIST(0,10,.20,0) = .1074.
b. P(X≥2) = 1 – P(X≤ 1). Using Excel: =1-BINOM.DIST(1,10,.20,1) = .6242.
c. P(X=10) =BINOM.DIST(10,10,.20,0) = .00000
6.69 This is a discrete binomial probability problem with "success" as "crispy" and "failure" as
"original". Probability of success, π, is .50 and the number of trials, n = 4.
6-16
a. P(X=0) =BINOM.DIST(0,4,.5,0) = .0625

b. P(X≥2) = 1 – P(X≤ 1) =1-BINOM.DIST(1,4,.5,1) = .6875
c. P(X≤ 2) =BINOM.DIST(2,4,.5,1) = .6875
d. Symmetric.
6.70 This is a discrete binomial probability problem with "success" as "order light beer" and
"failure" as "do not order light beer". The probability of success, π, is .40
and the number of trials, n = 8.
a. P(X=0). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(0,8,.40,0)=.0168.
b. P(X=1). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(1,8,.40,0) = .0896.
c. P(X=2). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(2,8,.40,0) =.2090.
d. P(X≤ 2). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(2,8,.40,1) = .3154.
e. Slightly skewed right.
6.71 a. P(X = 3) =BINOM.DIST(3,20,0.3,0) = .0716.

b. P(X = 7) =BINOM.DIST(7,50,0.1,0) = .1076.
c. P(X ≤ 6) =BINOM.DIST(6,80,0.05,1) = .8947.
6-17
d. P(X≥ 30) = 1 –P(X≤ 29) =1-BINOM.DIST(29,120,0.2,1) = .1067.

6.72 a. This is a discrete binomial probability problem where "success" can be "got a sentence
correct" and failure can be "got a sentence wrong". There are 20 sentences so we can say
there are 20 trials and the probability of getting one correct if randomly guessing is .50.
P(X≥14) = 1 – P(X≤ 13). Using Excel: =1-BINOM.DIST(13,20,.50,1) = .0577. The
probability of passing is about 6%; not very likely to pass when you guess.
b. Using the same approach as in part a, we can plug in various values of a "passing score"
and we can see that P(X ≥ 15) = .0207 therefore a score of 15 would be needed in order to
get a 5% or less probability that someone can pass by guessing.
6.73 Define X to be the number of defaulted student loans out of a sample of 10. X is binomial
with n =10 and π = .07.
a. P(X=0) =BINOM.DIST(0,10,.07,0) = .4840.
b. P(X≥3) = 1 – P(X≤ 2) =1-BINOM.DIST(2,10,.07,1) = .0283.
c. For this binomial, m = n = (10)(.07) = 0.7 defaults.
6.74 This is a discrete binomial probability problem where "success" is "something in the pocket"
and failure is "nothing in the pocket". The probability of success, π, is .08 and the
number of trials, n, is 14. Using Excel: P( X = 0) =BINOM.DIST(0,14,0.08,0) = 0.3112.
6.75 Define X to be the number of movie commercials advertising ‘R” rated movies. X is binomial
withn = 16 and = .8
a. P(X≥10) = 1 – P(X≤9) =1-BINOM.DIST(9,16,.8,1) = .9733.
b. P(X< 8) = P(X ≤ 7) =BINOM.DIST(7,16,.8,1) = .0015.
6.76 a. P(X= 7) =POISSON.DIST(7,10,0) = .0901.

b. P(X= 3) =POISSON.DIST(3,10,0) = .0076.
c. P(X<5) = P(X≤4) =POISSON.DIST(4,10,1) = .0293.
d. P(X ≥ 11) = 1 – P(X ≤ 10) =1-POISSON.DIST(10,10,1) = .4170.
6.77 Let X = the number of no shows.

a. If n = 10 and  = .10, then P(X=0) =BINOM.DIST(0,10,.1,0) =.3487.
b. If n = 11 and  = .10, then P(X≥1) = 1 – P(X=0) =1-BINOM.DIST(0,11,.1,0) = 1 – .3138
= .6862.
c. If they sell 11 seats, there is no way that more than 1 will be bumped.P(X> 1) = 0.
d. LetX= the number who doshow up and set = .90. We want P(X 10)  .95 so we use
Excel’s function = 1BINOM.DIST(9,n,.9,TRUE) for various values of n.It turns out that
n = 13 will suffice because P(X 13) = .9658 > .95.
6-18
n P(X 9) P(X 10)

11 0.30264 0.69736
12 0.11087 0.88913
13 0.03416 0.96584
6.78 a. Let Xbe the number that are not working. As long as no more than 2 are not working,
he will have enough. P(X≤2) =BINOM.DIST(2,10,0.2,1) = .6778.
b. LetX be the number that are working and set  = .8. We want P(X 8)  .95 so we use
Excel’s function =1BINOM.DIST(7,n,0.8,TRUE) for various values of n. It turns out
that n = 13 will suffice.
n P(X ≤ 7) P(X  8)
10 0.32220 0.67780
11 0.16114 0.83886
12 0.07256 0.92744
13 0.03004 0.96996
6.79 a. Because calls to a fire station within a minute are most likely all about the same fire, the
calls are not independent.
b. Answers will vary.
6.80 a. This is a binomial probability with "success" as "catch fraudulent e-mail" and "failure" as
"do not catch fraudulent e-mail". The probability of success, π, is .20 and the number of
trials, n, is 16. The expected number that would be caught by such a filter is nπ = .20×16
= 3.2.
16!
b. P ( X = 0) = .200 (1  .20)16 0 = .02815. Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(0,16,.2,0).
0!(16  0)!
6.81 a. P(X = 5) =POISSON.DIST(5, 2.8, 0) = .0872.

b. P(X ≤ 5) =POISSON.DIST(5, 2.8, 1) = .9349.
c. ==arrivals/5 minute interval
d. Independent time intervals
6-19
6.82 a. This is a Poisson probability because broken bats are rare and independent events. Given
that λ= 1.0:
(10 )(e 1 )
P( x = 0) = = .3679. Using Excel: =POISSON.DIST(0,1,0).
0!
b. P(X≥ 2) = 1 P(X≤ 1) = 1  [P(X= 0) + P(X= 1)] = 1–.7358 = .2642.
(10 )(e 1 )
P( x = 0) = = .3679
0!
(11 )( e 1 )
P ( x = 1) = = .3679
1!
Using Excel: =1-POISSON.DIST(1,1,1) = .2642.

There is about a 26% chance of having at least 2 broken bats.
6.83 Xisa Poisson random variable withλ = .3.

a. P(X = 0) =POISSON.DIST(0,.3,0) = .7408
b. P(X ≥ 2) =1-POISSON.DIST(1,.3,1) = .0369
6.84 a. Near collisions are random and independent events that occur one at a time.
b. P(X≥ 1) = 1 – P(X = 0). Using Excel: =1-POISSON.DIST(0,1.2,0) = .6988.
c. P(X> 3) = 1 P(X≤3). Using Excel: =1-POISSON(3,1.2,1) = .0338.
d. See below.
6-20
6.85 a. Assume that cancellations are independent of each other, occur randomly and one at a
time.
b. P(X=0) =POISSON.DIST(0,1.5,0) = .2231.
c. P(X=1) =POISSON.DIST(1,1.5,0) =.3347.
d. P(X> 2) = 1 – P(X≤2) =1-POISSON.DIST(2,1.5,1)= .1912.
e. P(X≥5) = 1 –P(X≤ 4) =1-POISSON.DIST(4,1.5,1)= .0186.
6.86 X is a Poisson random variable with λ = 3.8/hour.

a. P(X = 0)=POISSON.DIST(0,3.8,0) = .0224.
b. P(X< 4) = P(X ≤ 3) =POISSON.DIST(3,3.8,1) = .4735.
c. P(X> 5) = 1 – P(X ≤ 5) =1-POISSON.DIST(5,3.8,1) = .1844.
6.87 a. We assume that paint defects are independent events, distributed randomly over the
surface and occur one at a time. For this problem, we would use a mean of  = 2.4
defects per 3 square meter area.
b. P(X=0) =POISSON.DIST(0,2.4,0) = .0907.
c. P(X=1) =POISSON.DIST(1,2.4,0) = .2177.
d. P(X≤1) =POISSON.DIST(1,2.4,1) = .3084.
6.88 X = number of claimed dependents that are ineligible for insurance. X is a binomial random
variable with n = 7 and π = .02.
a. P(X=0) =BINOM.DIST(0,7,.02,0) = .8681.
b. P(X≥1) = 1P(X= 0) =1-BINOM.DIST(0,7,.02,0) = .1319.
6.89 Assume the arrival of a rogue wave follows a Poisson distribution. The ship is out for five
days so the average number of rogue waves per voyage will be:
.0377 waves 24hours 5days
= � � = 4.524 per 5-day voyage.
hour day voyage
P(X≥1) = 1 – P(X=0) =1-POISSON.DIST(0,4.524,0) = .9892.
6.90 a. Earthquakes are random and independent events.No one can predict when they will occur
and we assume they occur one at a time. We are also given a mean rate of discrete events
per unit of time.
b. P(X<3) = P(X≤2). Using Excel: =POISSON.DIST(2,1.2,1) = .8795.
c. P(X>5) = 1 P(X≤5). Using Excel: =1-POISSON.DIST(5,1.2,1) = .0015.
6-21
6.91 a. Crashes are unrelated events, can’t predict them, so they do happen randomly. We
assume crashes occur independently and one at a time.
b. P(X ≥ 1) = 1 – P(X = 0) =1-POISSON.DIST(0,2,0) = .8647.
c. P(X<5) = P(X≤4) =POISSON.DIST(4,2,1) = .9474.
d. Skewed to the right.
*6.92 Binomial n = 2500,  = .001 or Poisson with  = .001(2500) = 2.5 leaks per 2500 meters.
Using the Poisson approximation to the binomial:
a. P(X=0). Using Excel: =POISSON.DIST(0,2.5,0) = .0821
b. P(X≥3) = 1 – P(X≤2). Using Excel: =1–POISSON.DIST(2,2.5,1) = .4562.
c. µ = 2.5 leaks per 2500 meters.
6-22
*6.93 a. Binomial n = 200,  = .02. Define X to be the number of twin births in 200 deliveries.
E(X) = (200)(.02) = 4.
b. Using the Poisson approximation: P(X=0)=POISSON.DIST(0,4,0) = .0183.Using the
binomialfunction:P(X = 0) =BINOM.DIST(0,200,.02,0)= .0176.
c. Using the Poisson approximation: P(X=1) =POISSON.DIST(1,4,0) = .0733. Using the
binomialfunction: P(X=1) =BINOM.DIST(1,200,.02,0)= .0718.
d. Yes, the approximation is justified. Our rule of thumb is n 20 and  .05 which is met
here and the probabilities from the Poisson are similar to the binomial.
*6.94 a. P(X = 0). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(0,200,.03,0) = .0023

or =POISSON.DIST(0,6,0) = .0025.
b. P(X = 1). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(1,200,.03,0) = .0140
c. P(X = 2). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(2,200,.03,0) = .0430
d. Set  = n = (200)(.03) = 6.0 (see parts a through c)
e. Yes, n 20 and  .05 and probabilities are similar.
*6.95 a. For the binomial,m = n = (5708)(.00128) = 7.31 is the expected number of “bumped”
passengers per hour.
b. Using the Poisson approximation:
P(X<10) = P(X ≤ 9) =POISSON.DIST(9,7.31,1)= .7977.
P(X>5) =1 P(X≤5) =1-POISSON.DIST(5,7.31,1) = .7371.
c. Yes, the approximation is justified. Our rule of thumb is n 20 and  .05 which is met.
*6.96 a. For the binomial, µ =n = (500)(.02) = 10 is the expected number of "passes".
b. Using the Poisson approximation with  = 10:
P(X  5) =POISSON.DIST(5,10,1). = .0671.
*6.97 a. Using the Poisson approximation with  = (150)(.025) = 3.75:

P(X ≥ 4) = 1P(X ≤ 3) =1-POISSON.DIST(3,3.75,1) = .5162
b. Assume calls are independent.
*6.98 a. For the binomial, µ =n = (100,000)(.00014) = 14 is the expected number of "retained
foreign bodies".
b. Using the Poisson approximation with  = n = (100,000)(.00014) = 14 we get
P ( X �5) = .0055. The excel function is =POISSON(5,14,1). Less than 1%
chance (.55%) of getting 5 or fewer retained foreign bodies.
6-23
*6.99 a. Geometric mean: m=1/= 1/.25 = 4.

b. Using geometric CDF, P(X ≤ 6) = 1 – (1 − π)6= 1 – (1 − .25)6 = .8220.
Approximately 82.2% change of landing first job offer by the sixth interview.
*6.100 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.04) = 25 customers.

b. Using geometric CDF, P( X �20) = 1  (1   ) x = 1  (1  .04) 20 = 1–.4420 = .5580.
Approximately 55.8% likelihood of the first birthday cake order coming within
the first 20 customers.
*6.101 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.08) = 12.5 cars.

b. Using geometric CDF, P(X5) = 1(1)x = 1(1.08)5 = .3409. Approximately 34%
change of finding the first car with a burned out headlight within the first five cars
inspected.
*6.102 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.07) = 14.29 operations

b. Using geometric CDF, P(X 20) = 1 P(X 19) = 1  [1(1)x] = 1–[1–(1)19]= 1–
(1–.2519) = .2519. Approximately 25% likelihood of conducting 20 or more operations
before the first fatality.
*6.103 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.05) = 20.

b. Using geometric CDF, P(X≥30) = 1 − P(X 29) = 1 – (1 (1)x) = 1 – (1  (1.05)29) =
1 –(1  .2259) = .2259.
*6.104 Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.02) = 50

.4536 kg
*6.105 a. m = 233.1 lb � = 105.73kg
lb
.4536 kg
b.  = 34.95 lb � = 15.85kg
lb
c. Rule 1 for the mean and Rule 2 for the standard deviation.
*6.106 a. By Rule 1, expected total cost is mvQ+F = vmQ+F = (8)(25000) + 15000 = $350,000
By Rule 2, std dev. of total cost is vQ+F= vQ = (8)(2000) = $16,000
b. To break even, we want TRTC= 0 where TR = expected total revenue and TC = expected
total cost. Since TR = (Price)(Quantity) = PQ we set PQ(vQ+F) = 0 and solve for P to
get P(25000)  350000 = 0 or P = $14. For a profit of $20,000 we have P(25000) 
370000 = 0 or P = $14.80.
6-24
*6.107 m X1 + X 2 = m1 + m 2 = 3420 + 390 = 3810ml ,  X + X =  12 +  2 2 = 102 + 22 = 10.2ml

1 2
*6.108 a. Using Rule 3: mtotal time = 20+10+14+6+48 = 98 hours

b. UsingRule 4: total time= 42 + 22 + 32 + 22 + 62 = 8.31 . The 2-sigma interval
around the mean ism ± 2or 98 ± (2)(8.31). The range is 81.4 to 114.6 hours.
*6.109 a. By Rule 1, mean of total cost:mvQ+F = vmQ+F = (2225)(7) + 500 = $16,075

By Rule 2, std dev. of total cost:vQ+F= vQ = (2225)(2) = $4,450
By Rule 1, expected revenue is E(PQ) = PmQ = (2850)(7) = $19,950
Expected profit is TR – TC = 19,950 – 16,075 = $3,875
*6.110 a. mtotal time = 15+30+25+45+20 = 135 minutes, total time= 42 + 62 + 52 + 102 + 52 = 14.2 .
b. Independence might not hold if the outcome of one step affects the duration of the next
procedure.
*6.111 a. mX+Y = $70 + $200 = $270
b. σ X+Y = 10 + 30 + 2 �400 = $42.43

2 2
c. The variance of the total is greater than either of the individual variances.
6-25

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Chapter 06 - Discrete Probability Distributions

x P(x) xP(x) xE(X) P(x)[xE(X)]2

x P(x) xP(x) xE(X) P(x)[xE(X)]2

Learning Objective: 06-2

6.8 Usinga = 0000 and b = 9999,μ =(0000 + 9999)/2 = 4999.5.

6.9 a. With a = 20 and b = 60, m = (20 + 60) / 2 = 40 and  = [(60  20 + 1) 2  1] / 12 = 11.83

6.11 Answers may vary and 0 and 1 are interchangeable.

6.15 a. m = (8)(.1) = 0.8,  = (8)(.1)(1  .1) = 0.8485

6.16 a. m = (30)(.9) = 27,  = (30)(.9)(1  .9) = 1.6432

Learning Objective: 06-5

Learning Objective: 06-5

d. m = n = (8)(.60) = 4.8 and  = 8(.6)(.4) = 1.3856 .

Learning Objective: 06-5

6.29 a.  = 1, m= = 1.0 and =  =1.

6.30 a.  = 9, m= = 9.0 and =  =3.

(.1) 2 (e) .1

Learning Objective: 06-6

Learning Objective: 06-6

6.41 Let  = n = (500)(.003) = 1.5

6.42 Let  = n = (100000)(.000002) = 2

6.43 a. μ = n =(200)(.03) = 6 letters.

6.44 Let  = n = (100)(.01) = 1. P(X ≥ 2) = 1 – P(X ≤ 1)=1-POISSON.DIST(1,1,1) = .2642.

6.45 a. Expected Value = μ= n==

b. The distribution is symmetric with a small range (2 to 4).

P(X = 2) =HYPGEOM.DIST(2,10,6,60,0) = .2070

Learning Objective: 06-8

Learning Objective: 06-8

P(X = 3) =HYPGEOM.DIST(3,5,8,40,0) = .0422

Learning Objective: 06-8

6.55 a. P(X = 5) = (.5)(1−.5)5-1 = .0313.

6.56 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.20) = 5

6.57 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.50) = 2

6.58 a. m = 79.62.54 = 202.184 cm

6.60 m = (5/9)(37.1)–17.78 = 2.83° C,  = (5/9)(10.3) = 5.72° C

6.61 a. Let Y = Bob’s point total. . m Y = (5)(80) = 400,  Y = (25)(5) = 11 .18

6.64 a. If uniform, m = (1 + 5)/2 =3 and  = [(5  1 + 1)2  1] / 12 = 1.414 .

6.65 a.  = .80 (answers will vary).

Learning Objective: 06-5

Learning Objective: 06-5

a. P(X=0) =BINOM.DIST(0,4,.5,0) = .0625

Learning Objective: 06-5

Learning Objective: 06-5

6.71 a. P(X = 3) =BINOM.DIST(3,20,0.3,0) = .0716.

d. P(X≥ 30) = 1 –P(X≤ 29) =1-BINOM.DIST(29,120,0.2,1) = .1067.

6.76 a. P(X= 7) =POISSON.DIST(7,10,0) = .0901.

6.77 Let X = the number of no shows.

n P(X 9) P(X 10)

Learning Objective: 06-5

Learning Objective: 06-5

6.81 a. P(X = 5) =POISSON.DIST(5, 2.8, 0) = .0872.

Using Excel: =1-POISSON.DIST(1,1,1) = .2642.

6.83 Xisa Poisson random variable withλ = .3.

Learning Objective: 06-6

6.86 X is a Poisson random variable with λ = 3.8/hour.

Learning Objective: 06-6

Learning Objective: 06-6

*6.94 a. P(X = 0). Using Excel: =BINOM.DIST(0,200,.03,0) = .0023

*6.97 a. Using the Poisson approximation with  = (150)(.025) = 3.75:

*6.99 a. Geometric mean: m=1/= 1/.25 = 4.

*6.100 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.04) = 25 customers.

*6.101 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.08) = 12.5 cars.

*6.102 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.07) = 14.29 operations

*6.103 a. Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.05) = 20.

*6.104 Geometric mean is 1/ = 1/(.02) = 50