Basic Binomial Trial Application

00:00 7 marks

  • Exam Style - Paper 2
  • SL & HL
  • Tier 2
  • Binomial distribution
  • Parameter identification
  • Probability calculations
  • Cumulative probability

A retail store surveys customers and determines that the probability of any customer making a purchase is 0.3. For a random sample of 10 customers:

(a) Identify the parameters \(n\) and \(p\) for the binomial model.

(b) Calculate the probability that exactly 4 customers make a purchase.

(c) Determine the probability that at least 3 customers make a purchase.

Part a

3 minutes 2 marks

Question

Identify the parameters \(n\) and \(p\) used in the binomial distribution for the given scenario.



Hint Hint

Hint

Determine the number of trials (customers) and the probability of success (making a purchase).

  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

In this case, \(n = 10\) and \(p = 0.3\).

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Part b

3 minutes 2 marks

Question

Calculate the probability that exactly 4 customers make a purchase using the binomial probability formula.



Hint Hint

Hint

Apply the formula \(P(X=k)=\binom{n}{k}p^k(1-p)^{n-k}\) with \(k=4\).

  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

The probability is \(\binom{10}{4}(0.3)^4(0.7)^6\), which evaluates to approximately 0.2001.

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Part c

4 minutes 3 marks

Question

Determine the probability that at least 3 customers make a purchase.



Hint Hint

Hint

Express \(P(X \ge 3)\) as \(1 – P(X \le 2)\) and use the binomial formula or calculator’s cumulative binomial function.

  • Answer Answer

Complete Answer

The probability is \(1 – \left[\binom{10}{0}(0.3)^0(0.7)^{10} + \binom{10}{1}(0.3)^1(0.7)^9 + \binom{10}{2}(0.3)^2(0.7)^8\right]\), which is approximately 0.8497.

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