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Question

In a binomial distribution, if the mean is 6 and the standard deviation is \(\sqrt{2}\), then what are the values of the parameters \(n\) and \(p\) respectively?

This question was previously asked in
NDA 2 2024 GAT Question Paper (01-Sep-2024)
The correct answer is
9 and 2/3

Binomial Distribution: Finding Parameters n and p

This problem requires us to find the parameters of a binomial distribution, specifically the number of trials (\(n\)) and the probability of success (\(p\)), given its mean (\(\mu\)) and standard deviation (\(\sigma\)).

Understanding Binomial Distribution Formulas

For a binomial distribution, the following formulas relate the parameters (\(n\), \(p\)) to the mean (\(\mu\)) and standard deviation (\(\sigma\)):

  • Mean: \(\mu = np\)
  • Variance: \(\sigma^2 = np(1-p)\)
  • Standard Deviation: \(\sigma = \sqrt{np(1-p)}\)

Applying Given Values

We are given:

  • Mean, \(\mu = 6\)
  • Standard Deviation, \(\sigma = \sqrt{2}\)

From the standard deviation, we can calculate the variance:

Variance, \(\sigma^2 = (\sqrt{2})^2 = 2\)

Step-by-Step Calculation

Using the formulas and the given values, we can set up a system of equations:

  1. From the mean formula: \(np = 6\)
  2. From the variance formula: \(np(1-p) = 2\)

Now, we can solve these equations:

Step 1: Substitute the mean into the variance equation.

We know \(np = 6\). Substitute this into the second equation:

\(6(1-p) = 2\)

Step 2: Solve for \(p\).

Divide both sides by 6:

\(1-p = \frac{2}{6}\) \(1-p = \frac{1}{3}\)

Rearrange to find \(p\):

\(p = 1 - \frac{1}{3}\) \(p = \frac{3}{3} - \frac{1}{3}\) \(p = \frac{2}{3}\)

Step 3: Solve for \(n\).

Substitute the value of \(p = \frac{2}{3}\) back into the mean equation (\(np = 6\)):

\(n \left( \frac{2}{3} \right) = 6\)

Multiply both sides by \(\frac{3}{2}\) to solve for \(n\):

\(n = 6 \times \frac{3}{2}\) \(n = \frac{18}{2}\) \(n = 9\)

Conclusion

The calculated values for the parameters are \(n=9\) and \(p=\frac{2}{3}\).

Therefore, the values of the parameters \(n\) and \(p\) respectively are 9 and 2/3.

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Important Questions from Binomial Distribution

  1. Indicate the correct answer for the combination from the following regarding the conditions for the applicability of a binominal distribution:

    (a) There are n independent trials

    (b) Each trial has only two possible outcomes

    (c) The probabilities of two outcomes do not remain constant

    (d) The trials are independent

    Which of the following options is correct?

  2. In which of the following practical situations, Poisson Distribution can be used?

    A. Number of customers arriving at the super markets per hour.

    B. Number of typographical errors per page in a typed material.

    C. Number of accidents taking place per day on a busy road.

    D. Dice throwing problems.

    E. Number of defective material say, blades, etc. in a packing manufactured by a good concern.

    Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  3. For Binomial distribution, n = 10 and p = 0.6, E(X 2) (second moment about origin) is:

  4. The mean and variance of binomial distribution B (x, n, p) are 4 and \(\dfrac{4}{3}\) respectively. What is the probability of getting 2 successes?

  5. Find out the fallacy if any in the statement:

    “The mean and the variance of a binomial distribution is 16.2 and 29.4 respectively.”

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