Question 1 · Short Questions
6.25 marksIn the expansion of \((1 + ax)^4 (1 - x)^n\), where \(a\) is a constant and \(n\) is a positive integer, the coefficient of \(x\) is \(-1\) and the coefficient of \(x^2\) is \(-12\). Find the values of \(a\) and \(n\).
Worked solution
\((1 + ax)^4 = 1 + 4ax + 6a^2 x^2 + \dots\)
\((1 - x)^n = 1 - nx + \frac{n(n-1)}{2} x^2 - \dots\)
So, \((1 + ax)^4 (1 - x)^n = (1 + 4ax + 6a^2 x^2 + \dots)(1 - nx + \frac{n(n-1)}{2} x^2 - \dots)\)
The coefficient of \(x\) is \(4a - n = -1\) ...... (1)
The coefficient of \(x^2\) is \(6a^2 - 4an + \frac{n(n-1)}{2} = -12\) ...... (2)
From (1), we have \(n = 4a + 1\).
Substitute \(n = 4a + 1\) into (2):
\(6a^2 - 4a(4a + 1) + \frac{(4a+1)(4a)}{2} = -12\)
\(6a^2 - 16a^2 - 4a + 2a(4a+1) = -12\)
\(-10a^2 - 4a + 8a^2 + 2a = -12\)
\(-2a^2 - 2a + 12 = 0\)
\(a^2 + a - 6 = 0\)
\((a+3)(a-2) = 0\)
\(a = 2\) or \(a = -3\)
Since \(n\) must be a positive integer:
If \(a = -3\), then \(n = 4(-3) + 1 = -11\) (rejected).
If \(a = 2\), then \(n = 4(2) + 1 = 9\) (accepted).
Therefore, \(a = 2\) and \(n = 9\).
Marking scheme
For setting up equation (1) for coefficient of \(x\): 1M
For setting up equation (2) for coefficient of \(x^2\): 1M
For substituting \(n = 4a + 1\) into (2): 1M
For solving the quadratic equation to find \(a = 2\) or \(a = -3\): 1.25A
For rejecting \(a = -3\) with reasons: 1M
For obtaining both final answers \(a = 2\) and \(n = 9\): 1A
Question 2 · Short Questions
6.25 marksThe number of customers arriving at a checkout counter in a supermarket follows a Poisson distribution with a mean of 4 per 10-minute interval.
(a) Find the probability that exactly 3 customers arrive at the counter in a certain 10-minute interval.
(b) Find the probability that at least 2 customers arrive at the counter in a certain 5-minute interval.
(c) Given that at least 2 customers arrive at the counter in a certain 5-minute interval, find the probability that at most 4 customers arrive at the counter in that interval.
Answer
(a) 0.1954, (b) 0.5940, (c) 0.9114
Worked solution
(a) Let \(X\) be the number of customers arriving in a 10-minute interval. \(X \sim Po(4)\).
\(P(X = 3) = \frac{e^{-4} 4^3}{3!} = \frac{32}{3} e^{-4} \approx 0.1954\).
(b) Let \(Y\) be the number of customers arriving in a 5-minute interval. \(Y \sim Po(2)\).
\(P(Y \ge 2) = 1 - P(Y = 0) - P(Y = 1) = 1 - e^{-2} - 2e^{-2} = 1 - 3e^{-2} \approx 0.5940\).
(c) We want to find the conditional probability \(P(Y \le 4 \mid Y \ge 2)\).
\(P(2 \le Y \le 4) = P(Y = 2) + P(Y = 3) + P(Y = 4)\)
\(= \frac{e^{-2} 2^2}{2!} + \frac{e^{-2} 2^3}{3!} + \frac{e^{-2} 2^4}{4!} = e^{-2} (2 + \frac{4}{3} + \frac{2}{3}) = 4e^{-2}\).
\(P(Y \le 4 \mid Y \ge 2) = \frac{P(2 \le Y \le 4)}{P(Y \ge 2)} = \frac{4e^{-2}}{1 - 3e^{-2}} = \frac{4}{e^2 - 3} \approx 0.9114\).
Marking scheme
(a) 1M for Poisson formula, 1A for 0.1954 (or \(\frac{32}{3} e^{-4}\)).
(b) 1M for identifying mean = 2, 1.25A for 0.5940 (or \(1 - 3e^{-2}\)).
(c) 1M for conditional probability definition, 1A for 0.9114 (or \(\frac{4}{e^2-3}\)).
Question 3 · Short Questions
6.25 marksLet \(f(x) = x e^{-x}\).
(a) Use the trapezoidal rule with 4 subintervals to estimate \(\int_0^2 f(x) dx\).
(b) Determine whether the estimate in (a) is an over-estimate or an under-estimate. Explain your answer.
Answer
(a) 0.5706, (b) Under-estimate
Worked solution
(a) For 4 subintervals over \([0, 2]\), the width of each subinterval is \(h = \frac{2 - 0}{4} = 0.5\).
Let the grid points be \(x_0 = 0\), \(x_1 = 0.5\), \(x_2 = 1.0\), \(x_3 = 1.5\), and \(x_4 = 2.0\).
Applying the trapezoidal rule:
\(\int_0^2 x e^{-x} dx \approx \frac{h}{2} [f(0) + 2(f(0.5) + f(1.0) + f(1.5)) + f(2.0)]\)
\(= \frac{0.5}{2} [0 e^0 + 2(0.5 e^{-0.5} + 1.0 e^{-1} + 1.5 e^{-1.5}) + 2 e^{-2}]\)
\(\approx 0.25 [0 + 2(0.3032653 + 0.3678794 + 0.3346952) + 0.2706706]\)
\(= 0.25 [2(1.005840) + 0.2706706]\)
\(\approx 0.5706\).
(b) Differentiating \(f(x)\):
\(f'(x) = e^{-x} - x e^{-x} = (1 - x)e^{-x}\)
\(f''(x) = -e^{-x} - (1 - x)e^{-x} = (x - 2)e^{-x}\)
For \(0 < x < 2\), \(x - 2 < 0\) and \(e^{-x} > 0\), hence \(f''(x) < 0\).
Since \(f''(x) < 0\) on \((0, 2)\), the curve is concave downwards.
Therefore, the estimate obtained by the trapezoidal rule is an under-estimate.
Marking scheme
(a) 0.5M for calculating \(h = 0.5\). 1.5M for applying the trapezoidal rule formula correctly. 0.25M for substituting the function values. 1A for the correct answer 0.5706.
(b) 1M for finding \(f'(x)\). 1M for finding \(f''(x) = (x - 2)e^{-x}\). 1A for concluding that it is an under-estimate based on \(f''(x) < 0\).
Question 4 · Short Questions
6.25 marksThe lifetimes of a certain brand of light bulbs follow a normal distribution with mean \(\mu\) hours and standard deviation \(\sigma\) hours. It is known that 6.68% of the light bulbs have a lifetime of less than 850 hours, and 11.51% of the light bulbs have a lifetime of more than 1120 hours.
(a) Find \(\mu\) and \(\sigma\).
(b) A batch of 5 light bulbs is selected at random. Find the probability that at least 1 of them has a lifetime of more than 1120 hours.
Answer
(a) \mu = 1000, \sigma = 100, (b) 0.4575
Worked solution
(a) Let \(X\) be the lifetime of a light bulb. \(X \sim N(\mu, \sigma^2)\).
We are given:
\(P(X < 850) = 0.0668 \implies P(Z < \frac{850 - \mu}{\sigma}) = 0.0668\)
From the standard normal distribution table, \(P(Z < -1.5) = 0.0668\), so:
\(\frac{850 - \mu}{\sigma} = -1.5 \implies \mu - 1.5\sigma = 850\) ...... (1)
Also:
\(P(X > 1120) = 0.1151 \implies P(Z > \frac{1120 - \mu}{\sigma}) = 0.1151\)
From the standard normal distribution table, \(P(Z > 1.2) = 0.1151\), so:
\(\frac{1120 - \mu}{\sigma} = 1.2 \implies \mu + 1.2\sigma = 1120\) ...... (2)
Subtract (1) from (2):
\(2.7\sigma = 270 \implies \sigma = 100\)
Substitute \(\sigma = 100\) back into (2):
\[\mu = 1120 - 1.2(100) = 1000\]
So \(\mu = 1000\) and \(\sigma = 100\).
(b) The probability that a randomly selected light bulb has a lifetime of more than 1120 hours is \(p = 0.1151\).
Let \(Y\) be the number of light bulbs with lifetimes of more than 1120 hours in a batch of 5. \(Y \sim B(5, 0.1151)\).
\(P(Y \ge 1) = 1 - P(Y = 0) = 1 - (1 - 0.1151)^5 = 1 - (0.8849)^5 \approx 0.4575\).
Marking scheme
(a) 1.5M for setting up the equation \(\mu - 1.5\sigma = 850\) using standard normal tables. 1.5M for setting up \(\mu + 1.2\sigma = 1120\). 1A for finding both \(\mu = 1000\) and \(\sigma = 100\).
(b) 1.25M for writing down the binomial formula \(1 - (1-0.1151)^5\). 1A for the correct probability 0.4575.
Question 5 · Short Questions
6.25 marksThe derivative of a curve is given by \(\frac{dy}{dx} = x \sqrt{2x^2 + 1}\). If the curve passes through the point \((2, 6)\), find the equation of the curve.
Answer
y = \frac{1}{6} (2x^2 + 1)^{3/2} + \frac{3}{2}
Worked solution
To find the equation of the curve, we integrate \(\frac{dy}{dx}\):
\(y = \int x \sqrt{2x^2 + 1} dx\)
Let \(u = 2x^2 + 1\). Then \(du = 4x dx\), which means \(x dx = \frac{du}{4}\).
Substitute these into the integral:
\(y = \int \sqrt{u} \frac{du}{4} = \frac{1}{4} \int u^{1/2} du\)
\(y = \frac{1}{4} \left( \frac{2}{3} u^{3/2} \right) + C = \frac{1}{6} u^{3/2} + C\)
\(y = \frac{1}{6} (2x^2 + 1)^{3/2} + C\)
Since the curve passes through \((2, 6)\), substitute \(x = 2\) and \(y = 6\):
\(6 = \frac{1}{6} (2(2)^2 + 1)^{3/2} + C\)
\(6 = \frac{1}{6} (9)^{3/2} + C\)
\(6 = \frac{1}{6} (27) + C\)
\(6 = 4.5 + C \implies C = 1.5 = \frac{3}{2}\)
Therefore, the equation of the curve is \(y = \frac{1}{6} (2x^2 + 1)^{3/2} + \frac{3}{2}\).
Marking scheme
For setting up the integral: 1M
For using the substitution method (such as \(u = 2x^2 + 1\)): 1.5M
For obtaining the integrated term \(\frac{1}{6} (2x^2 + 1)^{3/2}\): 1.5M
For substituting \((2, 6)\) to find the integration constant \(C = \frac{3}{2}\): 1.25M
For the correct final equation: 1A
Question 6 · Short Questions
6.25 marksA company produces light switches, and the probability of a switch being defective is \(p\). It is known that in a randomly selected batch of 40 light switches, the expected number of defective switches is 2.4.
(a) Find the value of \(p\).
(b) Find the variance of the number of defective switches in a batch of 40.
(c) If a batch of 15 light switches is randomly selected, find the probability that:
(i) exactly 1 switch is defective;
(ii) at least 2 switches are defective.
Answer
(a) p = 0.06, (b) 2.256, (c)(i) 0.3784, (ii) 0.2263
Worked solution
(a) Let \(X\) be the number of defective switches in a batch of 40. \(X \sim B(40, p)\).
We have \(E(X) = np = 40p = 2.4 \implies p = 0.06\).
(b) The variance of \(X\) is:
\(Var(X) = np(1-p) = 40(0.06)(1 - 0.06) = 2.4(0.94) = 2.256\).
(c) Let \(Y\) be the number of defective switches in a batch of 15. \(Y \sim B(15, 0.06)\).
(i) \(P(Y = 1) = \binom{15}{1} (0.06)^1 (0.94)^{14} = 15(0.06)(0.42045) \approx 0.3784\).
(ii) \(P(Y \ge 2) = 1 - P(Y = 0) - P(Y = 1)\)
\(= 1 - (0.94)^{15} - 0.378405\)
\(\approx 1 - 0.395290 - 0.378405 = 0.2263\).
Marking scheme
(a) 0.5M for setting up \(40p = 2.4\), 0.75A for \(p = 0.06\).
(b) 0.5M for setting up \(Var(X) = 40(0.06)(0.94)\), 0.5A for \(2.256\).
(c)(i) 1M for binomial term \(\binom{15}{1} (0.06)^1 (0.94)^{14}\), 1A for 0.3784.
(c)(ii) 1M for expressing \(1 - P(Y=0) - P(Y=1)\), 1A for 0.2263.
Question 7 · Short Questions
6.25 marksA factory has two machines, A and B, producing the same component. Machine A produces 60% of the components and Machine B produces 40% of the components. The defective rates of Machine A and Machine B are 2% and 5% respectively.
(a) Find the probability that a randomly selected component is defective.
(b) Given that a randomly selected component is defective, find the probability that it was produced by Machine A.
Answer
(a) 0.032, (b) 0.375
Worked solution
Let \(A\) be the event that a component is produced by Machine A.
Let \(B\) be the event that a component is produced by Machine B.
Let \(D\) be the event that a component is defective.
We are given:
\(P(A) = 0.60\), \(P(B) = 0.40\)
\(P(D \mid A) = 0.02\), \(P(D \mid B) = 0.05\)
(a) Using the total probability theorem:
\(P(D) = P(A) P(D \mid A) + P(B) P(D \mid B)\)
\(= (0.60)(0.02) + (0.40)(0.05)\)
\(= 0.012 + 0.020 = 0.032\).
(b) Using Bayes' theorem:
\(P(A \mid D) = \frac{P(A \cap D)}{P(D)} = \frac{P(A) P(D \mid A)}{P(D)}\)
\(= \frac{0.012}{0.032} = \frac{3}{8} = 0.375\).
Marking scheme
(a) 1M for total probability formula, 0.5M for substitution, 0.75A for 0.032 (or \(\frac{4}{125}\)).
(b) 1.5M for Bayes' theorem formula, 1.5M for substitution, 1A for 0.375 (or \(\frac{3}{8}\)).
Question 8 · Short Questions
6.25 marksA rectangular storage container with an open top is to have a volume of \(36\text{ m}^3\). The length of its base is twice its width. Let \(x\) metres be the width of the base.
(a) Show that the total surface area of the container, \(A\text{ m}^2\), is given by \(A = 2x^2 + \frac{108}{x}\).
(b) Find the value of \(x\) that minimizes the total surface area.
Answer
(a) [Proof], (b) x = 3
Worked solution
(a) The width of the base is \(x\) m, so the length of the base is \(2x\) m.
Let \(h\) m be the height of the container.
The volume \(V\) is given by:
\(V = x(2x)h = 2x^2 h = 36 \implies h = \frac{18}{x^2}\).
Since the container has an open top, the total surface area \(A\) is:
\(A = \text{Area of base} + 2 \times \text{Area of front/back} + 2 \times \text{Area of sides}\)
\(A = x(2x) + 2(2x)(h) + 2(x)(h) = 2x^2 + 6xh\).
Substitute \(h = \frac{18}{x^2}\) into the equation:
\(A = 2x^2 + 6x \left(\frac{18}{x^2}\right) = 2x^2 + \frac{108}{x}\).
(b) Differentiating \(A\) with respect to \(x\):
\(\frac{dA}{dx} = 4x - \frac{108}{x^2}\).
To find the critical point, set \(\frac{dA}{dx} = 0\):
\(4x - \frac{108}{x^2} = 0 \implies 4x^3 = 108 \implies x^3 = 27 \implies x = 3\).
To determine if this minimizes the area, find the second derivative:
\(\frac{d^2A}{dx^2} = 4 + \frac{216}{x^3}\).
At \(x = 3\):
\(\frac{d^2A}{dx^2} = 4 + \frac{216}{27} = 12 > 0\).
Since the second derivative is positive, \(A\) is minimized when \(x = 3\).
Marking scheme
(a) 1M for expressing \(h = \frac{18}{x^2}\). 1M for setting up total surface area \(A = 2x^2 + 6xh\). 0.5A for completing the algebraic steps to show the formula.
(b) 1M for finding \(\frac{dA}{dx}\). 1M for setting \(\frac{dA}{dx} = 0\) and solving. 0.75A for obtaining \(x = 3\). 1M for checking that the second derivative is positive to verify the minimum.