Question:medium

Let \( X \) be the discrete random variable representing the number (\( x \)) appeared on the face of a biased die when it is rolled. The probability distribution of \( X \) is as follows: \[ X = x: \quad 1, \, 2, \, 3, \, 4, \, 5, \, 6 \] \[ P(X = x): \quad 0.1, \, 0.15, \, 0.3, \, 0.25, \, k, \, k \] The variance of \( X \) is:

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To calculate the variance, ensure you compute both \( \mathbb{E}(X^2) \) and \( (\mathbb{E}(X))^2 \). Double-check the consistency of the probability distribution.
Updated On: Nov 26, 2025
  • \( 1.64 \)
  • \( 1.93 \)
  • \( 2.16 \)
  • \( 2.28 \)
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The sum of all probabilities must equal 1:\[\sum P(X = x) = 1.\]Step 1: Determine \( k \)
Given probabilities yield the equation:\[0.1 + 0.15 + 0.3 + 0.25 + k + k = 1.\]
Simplified equation:\[0.8 + 2k = 1.\]
Solving for \( k \):\[k = 0.1.\]Step 2: Calculate the mean \( \mu = \mathbb{E}(X) \)
The mean is defined as:\[\mu = \sum X P(X).\]
Substituting \( X \) and \( P(X) \) values:\[\mu = (1)(0.1) + (2)(0.15) + (3)(0.3) + (4)(0.25) + (5)(0.1) + (6)(0.1).\]
Simplified expression:\[\mu = 0.1 + 0.3 + 0.9 + 1 + 0.5 + 0.6 = 3.4.\]Step 3: Calculate \( \mathbb{E}(X^2) \)
The expected value of \( X^2 \) is:\[\mathbb{E}(X^2) = \sum X^2 P(X).\]
Substituting values:\[\mathbb{E}(X^2) = (1^2)(0.1) + (2^2)(0.15) + (3^2)(0.3) + (4^2)(0.25) + (5^2)(0.1) + (6^2)(0.1).\]
Simplified:\[\mathbb{E}(X^2) = (1)(0.1) + (4)(0.15) + (9)(0.3) + (16)(0.25) + (25)(0.1) + (36)(0.1).\]\[\mathbb{E}(X^2) = 0.1 + 0.6 + 2.7 + 4 + 2.5 + 3.6 = 13.5.\]Step 4: Calculate the variance \( \sigma^2 \)
The variance is calculated as:\[\sigma^2 = \mathbb{E}(X^2) - (\mathbb{E}(X))^2.\]Substituting computed values:\[\sigma^2 = 13.5 - (3.4)^2.\]Simplified result:\[\sigma^2 = 13.5 - 11.56 = 1.94 \, (\text{approximately } 1.93).\] Final Answer:\[\boxed{1.93}\]
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