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2.4.4 Mean and variance of the binomial (A-level only)

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Question 7

A marine biologist is analyzing the composition of microplastics found in sediment samples from a specific coastal region. She categorizes the particles into four types based on their morphology.

The distribution of these types among the collected particles is shown in the following table:

Particle TypeMicrobeadsFragmentsFibersPellets
Probability0.180.420.300.10

Samples are processed in batches of 150 particles.

a.

Using a suitable approximation, find the probability that in a single batch:

(i) there are exactly 30 microbeads.

(ii) there are at most 55 fibers.

(iii) there are at least 95 particles which are not fragments.

[7]
b.

The biologist investigates a different coastal region where she suspects the proportion, ppp, of fragment-type microplastics has decreased from the usual 0.42.

She tests the hypotheses:

H0:p=0.42 H_0: p = 0.42 H0​:p=0.42 H1:p<0.42 H_1: p < 0.42 H1​:p<0.42

She takes a random sample of 400 particles and finds that x x\,x of them are fragments.

(i) Using a 5% level of significance and a normal approximation, find the critical region for xxx.

(ii) In her sample, she finds 150 fragments. Complete the test, stating your conclusion in context.

[6]

2.4.4 Mean and variance of the binomial (A-level only) Questions

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