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Paper 4 (9164, Section A) · June 2010 · Continuous Random Variables

X is a continuous random variable with probability density function f(x)f(x). The density is the curve y=x2y=x^{2} for 0≤x≤10\le x\le 1, followed by the straight line running from the point (1; 1)(1;\,1) down to the point (h; 0)(h;\,0) on the x-axis, and f(x)=0f(x)=0 elsewhere.

Find the value of h.

Model answer

2.33

Also accepted: 2,33, 2.3, 2,3, 2.333, 2,333, 7/3, 2 1/3

Explanation

The total area under a probability density function is 1.

The curved piece contributes ∫01x2 dx=[x33]01=13\displaystyle\int_{0}^{1}x^{2}\,dx=\left[\frac{x^{3}}{3}\right]_{0}^{1}=\frac{1}{3}.

The straight piece is a triangle of base h−1h-1 and height 1, so it contributes 12(h−1)\frac{1}{2}(h-1).

13+h−12=1\dfrac{1}{3}+\dfrac{h-1}{2}=1, so h−12=23\dfrac{h-1}{2}=\dfrac{2}{3}, giving h−1=43h-1=\dfrac{4}{3} and h=73=2,33h=\dfrac{7}{3}=2,33.

Derived from ZIMSEC Statistics Paper 4, June 2010, Q3

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