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The Normal Distribution

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Question 117

An automated cyber-security system scans 40 incoming packets for potential malware. For each packet, the probability of correctly identifying a malicious signature, independently of other packets, is 0.2. Let the random variable WWW denote the number of malicious packets correctly identified by the system.

a.

Suggest a suitable distribution for WWW.

[1]
b.

In a simplified reward model, the system gains 5 units of 'trust' for each malicious packet correctly identified and loses 2 units of 'trust' for each failure to identify a packet (assuming all 40 packets are actually malicious). Let GGG be the random variable representing the net gain in trust units.

Show that G=7W−80G = 7W - 80G=7W−80.

[2]
c.

Find E(G)E(G)E(G) and Var(G)Var(G)Var(G).

[3]
d.

Calculate the probability that the system achieves a net gain in trust of at least 5 units.

[3]
e.

A high-traffic server processes a larger batch of 200 packets. For this server, the probability of identification is 0.15.

Using a suitable approximation, estimate the probability that the system correctly identifies at least 40 packets in this larger batch.

[5]

The Normal Distribution Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Maths
  3. /The Normal Distribution

Practise Edexcel A Level Maths The Normal Distribution with exam-style questions for A Level Maths. 439 questions, matched to the Edexcel A Level Maths (9MA0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.

Question bank