Chapter 12: Problem 36
A random variable \(X\) has a cumulative distribution function \(F(x)=(x-1)^{2}\) on \(1 \leq x \leq 2 .\) Find \(b\) such that \(\operatorname{Pr}(X \leq b)=\frac{1}{4}.\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
b = 1.5
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF)
The CDF is given as: \[ F(x) = (x - 1)^2 \] This function is valid for the interval \(1 \leq x \leq 2\).
02
Set Up the Probability Condition
We need to find \(b\) such that \[\operatorname{Pr}(X \leq b) = \frac{1}{4}\] Since the CDF represents \(\operatorname{Pr}(X \leq x)\), we set \[ F(b) = \frac{1}{4} \]
03
Solve the Equation
Substitute the CDF function into the equation: \[ (b - 1)^2 = \frac{1}{4} \] Solve for \(b\) by taking the square root of both sides: \[ b - 1 = \pm \frac{1}{2} \] Thus, \[ b = 1 + \frac{1}{2} = 1.5 \] or \[ b = 1 - \frac{1}{2} = 0.5 \]
04
Verify the Valid Interval
Check if the solutions for \(b\) fall within the interval \(1 \leq x \leq 2\). Since \(0.5\) is outside this range, we discard it. Therefore, \[ b = 1.5 \] is the correct and valid answer.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Probability
Probability measures the likelihood of an event occurring, expressed as a value between 0 and 1. An event with a probability of 1 is certain to happen, while an event with a probability of 0 will not occur. In our exercise, we are asked to find a value for the random variable \(b\) such that the probability of \(X \text{ being less than or equal to } b \text{ is } \frac{1}{4}\). This means we seek to find the point where the cumulative probability reaches 0.25.
Key points you'd want to note about probability include:
Key points you'd want to note about probability include:
- It is always between 0 and 1, inclusive.
- It provides a way to predict the likelihood of various outcomes.
- The sum of probabilities for all possible outcomes of an experiment is 1.
Random Variables
Random variables are quantities whose values result from the outcomes of a random phenomenon. These variables can be either discrete (taking on specific values) or continuous (taking any value within a range). In this exercise, \(X\) is a continuous random variable with a specified range from 1 to 2.
Understanding random variables involves:
Understanding random variables involves:
- Knowing they can represent various types of data (e.g., temperature, time, etc.).
- Distinguishing between discrete and continuous random variables.
- Recognizing that they have associated probability distributions that describe how probabilities are assigned to different values or ranges.
In our scenario, the value of \(X\) follows a specific rule given by the cumulative distribution function (CDF) \(F(x) = (x - 1)^2\).
Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF)
The Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) represents the probability that a random variable \(X\) is less than or equal to a certain value \(x\). For continuous random variables, it is a non-decreasing function that ranges from 0 to 1. In our problem, the CDF is given as \(F(x) = (x - 1)^2\) within the interval \(1 \text{ and }2\).
To solve the problem:
To solve the problem:
- We set up the probability condition: \(F(b) = \frac{1}{4}\), where \(b\) is the value we seek.
- This setup results from the understanding that \(F(b)\) gives the probability \(X \text{ is less than or equal to } b\).
- Substituted the value \(F(b) = (b - 1)^2\) into the probability condition, leading us to the equation: \((b - 1)^2 = \frac{1}{4}\).
- Solved this equation to find \(b\), yielding \(b - 1 = \frac{1}{2} \text{ or } b - 1 = -\frac{1}{2}\), hence \(b = 1.5 \text{ or } b = 0.5\).
- Checked the valid interval, finding \(b = 0.5\) invalid as it lies outside \(1 \text{ to } 2\), leaving us with \(b = 1.5\) as the correct answer.