Skip to content
MathsGenie logo
Quick links
Open app

Course home

  1. A Level
  2. Maths OCR
  3. Question bank

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

MediumHard
12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152535455
Question 3

An archaeologist, Dr. Aris, is examining a collection of ancient pottery shards recovered from a site. For each shard found in the upper strata, independently of all others, the probability that it possesses a specific geometric decoration is 0.35.

Find the probability that, in a random sample of 10 shards from the upper strata, the number of shards with geometric decorations is

a.

exactly 4,

[2]
b.

at most 2.

[2]
c.

Dr. Aris then excavates a deeper, high-density layer. In this layer, the probability that any shard possesses the geometric decoration, independently of all others, is 0.4.

A hoard of 150 shards is recovered from this deeper layer.

Calculate the mean and the variance for the number of shards in this hoard of 150 that possess geometric decorations.

[2]
d.

Using a suitable approximation, determine the probability that more than 70 of these shards possess geometric decorations.

[3]

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

  1. A Level
  2. /Maths
  3. /2.4.4 Mean and variance of the binomial (A-level only)