MA 2631
Probability Theory
Assignment 6
due on Tuesday, September 21
based on Lectures of Chapter 3.2–4.2
1. The picture on the last page (taken from
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting) shows that
in early September 2021, the percentage of positive Covid-tests were rising for both,
higher education tests and non-higher education tests, though the overall positivity rate
was actually slightly declining.
At first sight this might look paradoxical, and you might even think that there might be
an error. However, you should be able to explain this phenomenon with your knowledge
about conditional probabilities and related theorems. Please do so.
2. Consider the random variable X with the probability mass distribution
P[X = 1] = 0.3, P[X = 4] = 0.25, P[X = 7] = 0.4, P[X = 10] = 0.05.
Calculate the expected value of X and Y with Y = 3X + 2.
3. Let X be a random variable describing the number of failures before the first success of
an independently repeated experiment with success probability p =
3
4
.
a) Calculate the probability that there are not more than two failures before the first
success.
b) Calculate E
2
X
.
2
4. Let X be a random variable taking values in N. Show that
E[X] = X∞
n=1
P[X ≥ n].
5. Fill out the midterm survey on Canvas (results are anonymous, it will be only tracked if
you have taken it or not). Counts for 2 questions.
8 points per problems
Standard Carlton and Devore, Section 2.2: Exercises 11, 12, 16; Section 2.3: 30, 34, 35, 36.
