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A random variable X has probability density function given by \[ \mathrm{f}(x)=\left\{\begin{array}{ll}k(3-x) & 1 \leqslant x \leqslant 2 \\ 0 & \text { otherwise, }\end{array}\right. \] where k is a constant. a) Show that \( \mathrm{k}=\frac{2}{3} \). b) Find the median of X .

Ask by Erickson Brooks. in the Philippines
Mar 20,2025

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\( k = \frac{2}{3} \) and the median of \( X \) is \( 3 - \frac{\sqrt{10}}{2} \).

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Bonus Knowledge

To determine \( k \) such that the probability density function \( f(x) \) is valid, we must ensure that the integral of \( f(x) \) over its range equals 1. Calculating this, we have: \[ \int_{1}^{2} k(3-x) \, dx = 1. \] Now, let’s compute this integral: \[ \int_{1}^{2} (3-x) \, dx = \left[ 3x - \frac{x^2}{2} \right]_{1}^{2}. \] Calculating the boundaries: \[ = \left( 3(2) - \frac{(2)^2}{2} \right) - \left( 3(1) - \frac{(1)^2}{2} \right) = \left( 6 - 2 \right) - \left( 3 - \frac{1}{2} \right) = 4 - 2.5 = 1.5. \] Putting this back into the equation, we find: \[ k(1.5) = 1 \implies k = \frac{1}{1.5} = \frac{2}{3}. \] Thus, \[ k = \frac{2}{3}. \] --- Next, to find the median of random variable \( X \), we need to find \( m \) such that \[ P(X \leq m) = \frac{1}{2}. \] This translates to the condition: \[ \int_{1}^{m} f(x) \, dx = \frac{1}{2}. \] Given \( f(x) = \frac{2}{3}(3-x) \), we calculate the integral: \[ \int_{1}^{m} \frac{2}{3}(3-x) \, dx = \frac{2}{3} \left[ 3x - \frac{x^2}{2} \right]_{1}^{m} = \frac{2}{3} \left( \left( 3m - \frac{m^2}{2} \right) - \left( 3(1) - \frac{(1)^2}{2} \right) \right). \] Calculating the expression at \( x = 1 \): \[ 3(1) - \frac{(1)^2}{2} = 3 - 0.5 = 2.5. \] Thus, the equation becomes: \[ \frac{2}{3} \left( 3m - \frac{m^2}{2} - 2.5 \right) = \frac{1}{2}. \] Multiplying both sides by \( 3 \): \[ 2(3m - \frac{m^2}{2} - 2.5) = \frac{3}{2}, \] Which simplifies to: \[ 6m - m^2 - 5 = \frac{3}{2} \implies m^2 - 6m + \left( 5 + \frac{3}{2} \right) = 0 \implies m^2 - 6m + \frac{13}{2} = 0. \] Using the quadratic formula: \[ m = \frac{6 \pm \sqrt{(-6)^2 - 4\cdot1\cdot\frac{13}{2}}}{2\cdot1} = \frac{6 \pm \sqrt{36 - 26}}{2} = \frac{6 \pm \sqrt{10}}{2} = 3 \pm \frac{\sqrt{10}}{2}. \] We take the smaller solution within the bounds \( [1, 2] \): Thus, the median \( m = 3 - \frac{\sqrt{10}}{2} \) (approximately \( 1.43 \)) is in the valid range, and hence is our median value for random variable \( X \).

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