Consider an urn containing a large number of coins, and suppose that each of the coins has some probability p of turning up heads when it is flipped. However, this value of pvaries from coin to coin. Suppose that the composition of the urn is such that if a coin is selected at random from it, then the p-value of the coin can be regarded as being the value of a random variable that is uniformly distributed over 0,1. If a coin is selected at random from the urn and flipped twice, compute the probability that

a. The first flip results in a head;

b. both flips result in heads.

Short Answer

Expert verified

a. The first flip results in a head value found to be P{The first flip in a head}=12

b. The both flips result in heads value found to be P{Both flips result in heads}=13.

Step by step solution

01

Given Information (Part a)

If a coin is selected at random from the urn and flipped twice, compute the probability that the first flip results in a head.

02

Explanation (Part a)

The first flip results in a head.

P-value is uniformly distributed over 0,1,

P{The first flip in a head }01pdp.

03

Explanation (Part a)

Substitute the value,

=p2201

Divide the value,

=12.

04

Final answer (Part a) 

The first flip results in a head value found to be P{The first flip in a head }=12.

05

Given Information (Part b)

If a coin is selected at random from the urn and flipped twice, compute the probability that the both flips result in heads.

06

Explanation (Part b)

Both flips result in heads,

The value of a random variable 0,1and2,

X-0,1,2

P{The first flip in a head}01dp.

07

Explanation (Part b)

Substitute the value,

=0122p2(1-p)2-2dp

=p3301

Divide the value,

=13.

08

Final answer (Part b)

The both flips result in heads value found to be P{ Both flips result in heads}=13.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The best quadratic predictor ofYwith respect to Xis a + bX+cX2, where a, b, and c are chosen to minimize E[(Y(a+bX+cX2))2]. Determine a, b, and c.

Two envelopes, each containing a check, are placed in front of you. You are to choose one of the envelopes, open it, and see the amount of the check. At this point, either you can accept that amount or you can exchange it for the check in the unopened envelope. What should you do? Is it possible to devise a strategy that does better than just accepting the first envelope? Let Aand B, A<B, denote the (unknown) amounts of the checks and note that the strategy that randomly selects an envelope and always accepts its check has an expected return of (A+B)/2. Consider the following strategy: Let F(·)be any strictly increasing (that is, continuous) distribution function. Choose an envelope randomly and open it. If the discovered check has the value x, then accept it with probability F(x)and exchange it with probability 1F(x).

(a) Show that if you employ the latter strategy, then your expected return is greater than (A+B)/2. Hint: Condition on whether the first envelope has the value Aor B. Now consider the strategy that fixes a value x and then accepts the first check if its value is greater than x and exchanges it otherwise. (b) Show that for any x, the expected return under thex-strategy is always at least (A+B)/2and that it is strictly larger than (A+B)/2if xlies between Aand B.

(c) Let X be a continuous random variable on the whole line, and consider the following strategy: Generate the value ofX, and if X=x, then employ the x-strategy of part (b). Show that the expected return under this strategy is greater than (A+B)/2.

AThere are n+1participants in a game. Each person independently is a winner with probability p. The winners share a total prize of 1 unit. (For instance, if 4people win, then each of them receives 14, whereas if there are no winners, then none of the participants receives anything.) Let A denote a specified one of the players, and let Xdenote the amount that is received by A.

(a) Compute the expected total prize shared by the players.

(b) Argue that role="math" localid="1647359898823" E[X]=1(1p)n+1n+1.

(c) Compute E[X] by conditioning on whether is a winner, and conclude that role="math" localid="1647360044853" E[(1+B)1]=1(1p)n+1(n+1)p when B is a binomial random variable with parameters n and p

Consider nindependent trials, the ithof which results in a success with probability Pl.

(a) Compute the expected number of successes in the ntrials-call it μ

(b) For a fixed value of μ, what choice of P1,,Pnmaximizes the variance of the number of successes?

(c) What choice minimizes the variance?

Show how to compute Cov(X,Y) from the joint moment generating function ofX and Y.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free