Question 1 [20 marks]
1.1 Briefly explain the following terminologies as they are applied to probability theory:
(a) Boolean algebra B(S)
[2]
(b) o algebra
[3]
c ) Measure on a B(S) algebra
[3]
d) Convolution of two integrable real-valued functions f and g
[3]
1.2 Let S = {a,b,c,d}. Find:
(a) P(S),
(b) size of P(S).
[(14]]
1.3 Consider the random variables X and Y that represent the number of vehicles that arrive at
two separate corners during a certain 2-minute period. These two street corners are fairly
close together so that. it is important that the traffic engineers deal with them jointly if
necessary. The joint distribution of X and Y is known to be
f(z,y) = { p9a1
, z= 0,1,2,...,9=0,1,2,...,
, otherwise
Find the probability that less than 4 vehicles arrive at the two street corners during the
stated time period.
[4]
Question 2 [30 marks]
2.1 Let X and Y denote the lengths of life, in years, of two components in an electronic system.
If the joint density function of these variables is
_ e —(r+y)
f(z,y) = ‘ 0
,ct> 0, y > 0,
, otherwise,
then find the mean value of Y.
[6]
2.2 Suppose X and Y are random variables such that (X,Y) must belong to the rectangle in
xy- plane containing all points (x, y) for which 0 < x < 3 and 0 < y < 4. Suppose that the
joint cumulative distribution of X and Y at any point (z, y) in this rectangle is specified as
follows: F(z,y) = seule tu)
(a) Use the joint cumulative distribution, F(z, y), to find (P(1 <2 <2,1<y< 2)
[7]
(b) Find the joint probability density function of X and Y
[4]
2.3 Let X be a discrete random variable with mean p and variance g?. Also, let k be some
positive integer. Show that P[|X — p| < ko] >1-.
[13]