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1. Philip and James are racing car drivers. Philip’s lap times, in seconds, are normally distributed
with mean 90 and variance 9. James’ lap times, in seconds, are normally distributed with mean
91 and variance 12. The lap times of Philip and James are independent. Before a race, they each
take a qualifying lap.

(a) Find the probability that James’ time for the qualifying lap is less than Philip’s.
(4)

The race is made up of 60 laps. Assuming that they both start from the same starting line and
lap times are independent,

(b) find the probability that Philip beats James in the race by more than 2 minutes.
(5)
(Total 9 marks)

2. The random variable A is defined as

A = 4X – 3Y

where X ~ N(30, 32), Y ~ N(20, 22) and X and Y are independent.

Find

(a) E(A),
(2)

(b) Var(A).
(3)

The random variables Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 are independent and each has the same distribution as Y.
The random variable B is defined as

4
B= ∑Y
i =1
i

(c) Find P(B > A).

(6)
(Total 11 marks)

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3. A set of scaffolding poles come in two sizes, long and short. The length L of a long pole has
the normal distribution N(19.7, 0.52). The length S of a short pole has the normal distribution
N(4.9, 0.22). The random variables L and S are independent.

A long pole and a short pole are selected at random.

(a) Find the probability that the length of the long pole is more than 4 times the length of the
short pole.
(7)

Four short poles are selected at random and placed end to end in a row. The random variable T
represents the length of the row.

(b) Find the distribution of T.

(3)

(c) Find P(L – T< 0.1).

(5)
(Total 15 marks)

4. The workers in a large office block use a lift that can carry a maximum load of 1090 kg. The
weights of the male workers are normally distributed with mean 78.5 kg and standard deviation
12.6 kg. The weights of the female workers are normally distributed with mean 62.0 kg and
standard deviation 9.8 kg.
Random samples of 7 males and 8 females enter the lift.

(a) Find the mean and variance of the total weight of the 15 people that enter the lift.
(4)

(b) Comment on any relationship you have assumed in part (a) between the two samples.
(1)

(c) Find the probability that the maximum load of the lift will be exceeded by the total
weight of the 15 people.
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

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5. A workshop makes two types of electrical resistor.

The resistance, X ohms, of resistors of Type A is such that X ~ N(20, 4).

The resistance, Y ohms, of resistors of Type B is such that Y ~ N(10, 0.84).

When a resistor of each type is connected into a circuit, the resistance R ohms of the circuit is
given by R = X + Y where X and Y are independent.

Find

(a) E(R),
(1)

(b) Var(R),
(2)

(c) P(28.9 < R < 32.64).

(6)
(Total 9 marks)

6. A manufacturer produces two flavours of soft drink, cola and lemonade. The weights, C and L,
in grams, of randomly selected cola and lemonade cans are such that C ∼ N(350, 8) and
L ∼ N(345, 17).

(a) Find the probability that the weights of two randomly selected cans of cola will differ by
more than 6 g.
(6)

One can of each flavour is selected at random.

(b) Find the probability that the can of cola weighs more than the can of lemonade.
(6)

Cans are delivered to shops in boxes of 24 cans. The weights of empty boxes are normally
distributed with mean 100 g and standard deviation 2 g.

(c) Find the probability that a full box of cola cans weighs between 8.51 kg and 8.52 kg.
(6)

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(d) State an assumption you made in your calculation in part (c).

(1)
(Total 19 marks)

7. The random variable D is defined as

D = A – 3B + 4C

where A ~ N(5, 22), B ~ N(7, 32) and C ~ N(9, 42), and A, B and C are independent.

(a) Find P(D < 44).

(9)

The random variables B1, B2 and B3 are independent and each has the same distribution as B.
The random variable X is defined as

3
X=A– ∑
i =1
Bi + 4C.

(b) Find P(X > 0).

(7)
(Total 16 marks)

8. Given the random variables X ~ N(20, 5) and Y ~ N(10, 4) where X and Y are independent, find

(a) E(X – Y),

(2)

(b) Var(X – Y),

(2)

(c) P(13 < X – Y < 16).

(5)
(Total 9 marks)

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1. (a) [P ~ N(90,9) and J ~ N(91,12)]

( J − P) ∼ N(1, 21)
P( J < P) = P( J − P < 0) M1, A1
 0 −1 
= P Z <  dM1
 21 
= P( Z < −0.2182...)
=1 − 0.5871 = 0.4129 awrt (0.413 ~ 0.414) A1 4
calculator (0.4136….)
Note
1st M1 for attempting J – P and E(J – P) or P – J and E(P – J)
1st A1 for variance of 21 (Accept 9 + 12). Ignore any slip in μ here.
2nd dM1 for attempting the correct probability and standardising with
their mean and sd.
This mark is dependent on previous M so if J – P (or P – J) is
not being used score M0
If their method is not crystal clear then they must be attempting
P(Z< -ve value) or P(Z > +ve value) i.e. their probability after
standardisation should lead to a prob. < 0.5 so e.g. P(J – P < 0)
leading to 0.5871 is M0A0 unless the M1 is clearly earned.
2nd A1 for awrt 0.413 or 0.414
The first 3 marks may be implied by a correct answer

(b) X = ( J1 + J 2 + .... + J 60 ) − ( P1 + P2 + .... + P60 ) M1

E( X ) = 60 × 91 − 60 × 90 = 60 [stated as E(X) = 60 or X~N(60, …)] B1
Var( X ) = 60 × 9 + 60 ×12 = 1260 A1
 120 − 60 
P( X > 120) =P Z >  M1
 1260 
= P( Z > 1.69030...)
=1 − 0.9545 = 0.0455 awrt (0.0455) A1 5

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Note
1st M1
for a clear attempt to identify a correct form for X. This
may be implied by correct variance of 1260
B1 for E(X) = 60. Can be awarded even if they are using
X = 60J – 60P. Allow P – J and –60
st
1 A1 for a correct variance. If 1260 is given the M1 is scored
by implication.
nd
2 M1 for attempting a correct probability and standardising with
120 and their 60 and 1260
If the answer is incorrect a full expression must be seen
following through their values for M1 e.g.
 120 – their 60 
P  Z >  . If using –60, should get
 their variance 
 – 120 – – 60 
P  Z < 
 their variance 
Use of means
Attempt to use J – P for 1st M1, E( J – P ) = 1 for B1 and
Var( J – P ) = 0.35 for A1
Then 2nd M1 for standardisation with 2, and their 1 and 0.35
[9]

2. (a) E(4X – 3Y)=4E(X) – 3E(Y) M1

= 4×30 – 3 ×20
= 60 A1 2
Note
M1 for correct use of E (aX + bY)
formula

(b) Var(4X – 3Y) = 16 Var (X) + 9 Var (Y) 16 or 9; adding M1; M1

= 16 × 9 + 9 × 4
= 180 A1 3
Note
1st M1 for 16Var(X) or 9Var(Y)
2nd M1 for adding variances
Key points are the 16, 9 and +.
Allow slip e.g using Var(X)=4
etc to score Ms

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(c) E(B) = 80 B1
Var (B) = 16 B1
E(B – A) = 20 E(B)-E(A) M1
Var (B – A) = 196 ft on 180 and 16 A1ft
 – 20 
P (B – A >0) = P  Z > 
 196 
= [P(Z > –1.428....)] stand. using their
mean and var dM1
= 0.923 … awrt
0.923 – 0.924 A1 6

Note
1st M1 for attempting B – A and E(B – A)
or A – B and E(A – B)
This mark may be implied by an attempt
at a correct probability
 0 – (80 – 60 ) 
e.g. P  Z >  .
 180 + 16 
To be implied we must see the “0”
1st A1ft for Var(B – A) can ft their Var(A) = 180
and their Var(B) = 16
2nd dM1 Dependent upon the 1st M1 in part (c).
for attempting a correct probability i.e.
P(B–A>0) or P(A–B < 0) and standardising
with their mean and variance.
They must standardise properly with the 0
to score this mark
2nd A1 for awrt 0.923 ~ 0.924
[11]

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3. (a) Lte X = L – 4S then E(X) = 19.7 – 4 × 4.9 = 0.1 M1, A1

Var(X) = Var(L) + 42Var(S) = 0.52 + 16 × 0.22 M1, M1
= 0.89 A1
P(X > 0) = [P(Z > –0.10599...)] M1
AWRT (0.542 – 0.544) A1 7
1st M1 for defining X and attempting E(X)
1st A1 for 0.1. Answer only will score both marks.
2nd M1 for Var(L) + ...
3rd M1 for... 42 Var(S). For those who don’t attempt L – 4S
this will be their only mark in (a).
2nd A1 for 0.89
4th M1 for attempting a correct probability, a correct expression
and attempt to find, which should involve some
standardisation ; ft their 0.89 and their 0.1.
If 0.1 is used for E(X) answer should be > 0.5, otherwise M0.

(b) T = S 1 + S2 + S3 + S4 (may be implied by 0.16) M1

T – N(19.6, 0.16) E(T) – 19.6 B1
Var(T) = 0.16 or 0.42 A1 3

(c) Let Y = L – T E(Y) = E(L) – E(T) = [0.1] M1

Var(Y) = Var(L) + Var(T) = [0.41] M1
Require P(–0.1 < Y < 0.1) M1
= P(Z < 0) – P(Z < – 0.31...) or 0.5 – P(Z < –0.31)
or P(Z < 0.31..) – P(Z < 0) M1
= 0.1217 (tables) or 0.1226... (calc) AWRT (0.122 – 0.123) A1 5
1st M1 for a correct method for E(Y), ft their E(T).
2nd M1 for a correct method for Var(Y), ft their Var(T).
Must have +.
3rd M1 for dealing with the modulus and a correct probability
statement. Must be modulus free.
 0.2 
May be implied by e.g. P  Z <  − 0.5 , or seeing
 their 0.41 
both 0.378... (or 0.622...) and 0.5
4th M1 for correct expression for the correct probability, as
printed or better. E.g. 0.5 + 0.378... is M0
A1 for AWRT in range.
[15]

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4. M = wt of male worker M ∼ N(78.5, 12.62)

F = wt of female worker F ∼ N(62.0, 9.82)

(a) W = M1 + … + M 7 + F1 + … + F8
E(W) = 7 × 78.5 + 8 × 62.0 =1045.50 awrt 1050 M1 A1
Var(W) = 7 × 12.62 + 8 × 9.82 =1879.64 awrt 1880 M1 A1 4

(b) Independent (used in Variance formula) B1 1

1090 − 1045.5
(c) P(W > 1090) = P(z > ) M1
1879.64
= P(z > 1.03) awrt 1.03 A1
= 1 – 0.8485 M1
= 0.1515 A1 4
awrt(0.152)
[9]

5. (a) E(R) = 20 + 10 = 30 B1 1
(b) Var(R) = 4 + 0.84, = 4.84 M1, A1 2

(c) R ~ N(30, 4.84) (Use of normal with their (a),(b)) B1ft

P(28.9 < R < 32.64) = P(R < 32.64) – P(R < 28.9) M1

= P  Z < 32.64 − 30  − P Z < 28.9 − 30  stand their σ and µ A1, A1

 2.2   2. 2 
= P( Z < 1.2) – P(Z < – 0.5) M1
= 0.8849 – ( 1 – 0.6915) Correct area A1 6
= 0.8849 – 0. 3085 = 0.5764 (accept AWRT 0.576)
[9]

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6. Let W = C1 – C2 NB W = C1 + C2 ⇒ M1A0M1 only

(a) ∴W ~ N(0, 16)
Normal M1
0; 16 A1; A1
∴P(W > 6) = 2P(W > 6) M1
6−0
NB as MR W = C – L treat = 2 × P(Z > ) M1
16
Standardising their σ
= 2 × P(Z > 1.5)
Prob = 0.4346 = 2 × (1 – 0.9332) = 0.1336 A1 6

(b) Let W = C – L
∴W ~ N(5, 25) B1; B1
5; 25
±5
P(W > 0) = P(Z > ) M1 A1
25
= P(Z < 1) M1 (p > 0.5)
= 0.8413 A1 6

(c) Let W = C1 + … + C24 + B

∴E(W) = 24 × 360 + 100 = 8500 B1
var(W) = 24 × 8 + 22 = 196 B1
 8510 − 8500 8520 − 8500 
P(8510 ≤ W ≤ 8520) = P(  ≤Z ≤  M1
 196 196 
= P(0.71… ≤ Z ≤ 1.43…) awrt A1 A1ft
= 0.9236 – 0.7611
= 0.1625 A1 6
0.161 – 0.163

(d) All random variables are independent B1 1

[19]

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7. (a) E(D) = E(A) – 3E(B) + 4E(C) M1

= 20 A1
Var(D) = Var(A) + 9Var(B) + 16Var(C)
Use of a2Var X M1
Adding 3 Var M1
ie 4 +…
=341
 44 − 20 
P (D < 44) = P  z <  M1, A1ft
 341 
standardising their mean and sd
= P (z < 1.30) A1
awrt 1.30
= 0.9032 A1 9

(b) E(X) = 20 B1
Var (X) = Var (A) + 3Var(B) + 16 Var (C)
+ and 16 M1
3 Var (B) M1
= 287 A1
 − 20 
P (X > 0) = P  z >  M1
 287 
standardising their mean and sd
= P (z > –1.18) A1
awrt -1.18
= 0.8810 A1 7
[16]

8. (a) E(X-Y) = 20 – 10 = 10 Require minus, 10 M1 A1 2

(b) Var(X-Y) = 5 + 4 = 9 Require plus, 9 M1 A1 2

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(c) X-Y ~ N(10,9) Implied B1∫

P(13<X-Y<16) = P(X-Y<16)-P(X-Y<13) Subtract M1
16 − 10 13 − 10
= P(Z< )–P(Z< ) Standardise M1
3 3
= P(Z<2) – P(Z<1) 2&1 A1
= 0.9772 – 0.8413 = 0.1359 0.1359 A1 5
[9]

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1. Part (a) was often answered well with nearly all the candidates realising they needed to form a
new variable such as J - P and then correctly calculating the mean and variance. Some were not
sure which way round their inequality went in the resulting probability (a diagram may well
have helped them) but there were a good number of correct answers seen.
The candidates’ use of notation in (b) was poor with many writing 60J - 60P when their
calculations implied they were using the correct formulation (ΣJ – ΣP). Those who formed a
correct distribution in (b) sometimes struggled to coordinate the units and they used 2 and 60
instead of 120 and 60 in their standardisation.

2. Part (a) was answered very well with most scoring both marks. The majority secured all the
marks in part (b) too but some forgot to square the 3 and the 4 and others forgot to add the
variances. Most were able to write down E(B) and often Var(B) too but many did not clearly
form a new distribution D = B – A and proceed to write down the distribution of D and state the
problem as P(D > 0). Those who did were usually able to complete the question successfully but
those who didn’t often floundered being unsure how to standardize their expression.

3. Many candidates scored well here but the usual confusion between 4S and T caused some to
stumble and only the better candidates dealt with the modulus sign correctly in part (c).
In part (a) a number of candidates formed the distribution X = L – 4S and went on to show
X~N(0.1, 0.89) but some then struggled to find P(X > 0) and an answer smaller than 0.5 was
often seen. In part (b) some candidates thought that T = 4S but many did interpret T as S1 + S2 +
S3 + S4 even though this was rarely explicitly stated. A common error in dealing with the
probability calculation was to treat it as 2P[(L – T) < 0.1], others found z = 0 and z = –0.31 but
then gave the answer as 0.5 + P(Z < – 0.31). A clear diagram, which was rarely seen, may have
helped them.

4. In part (a) a relatively large number of incorrect answers were seen for the variance, but the
majority of candidates found it easy to score full marks on this question.

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5. This was a straightforward question and it was very well answered by the majority of the
candidates. A minority did not understand the notation for a normal distribution and thought that
N(20, 4) meant that the standard deviation was 4 not 2. The probability in part (c) was usually
found correctly and errors in standardization were very rare.

6. Many candidates did not read this question carefully and in part (a) used one cola can and one
lemonade can rather than two cola cans as stated in the question. Part (b) was usually correct but
in part (c) poor arithmetic and confusion of units caused many candidates to lose marks. The
idea that all the random variables were independent was lost on most candidates.

7. This question was often very well answered and a mark of 16 was not uncommon. It required no
interpretation and provided the candidates recognised the need to use a2VarX and to add
variances they encountered few problems. Most candidates managed to standardize and even
very weak candidates often scored 5 out of the 9 marks for part (a).

8. This question was answered very well with a large number of candidates gaining all the marks
available.

Edexcel Internal Review 14