[Math] probability density function question

probabilitystatistics

The diameter of grains of sand from a sand pit, measured in mm, can be considered a continuous random variable X with probability density (picewise function)

f(x)=4(x-x^3), 0<=x<=1, otherwise f(x)=0

a) find P(X<=1/4)

b)Find E[X+2] and Var[2X]

anyone know how to go about these two questions? on a) do I just integrate 4(x-x^3) over 0 to 1/4 ? on b im pretty much clueless..

any tips/solutions? thanks in advance

Best Answer

For a), you are right.

For b), there are two options. One is to find $$\int_0^1 (x+2)[4(x-x^3)]\,dx.$$ Another is to note that $E(X+2)=E(X)+E(2)=E(X)+2$. To compute $E(X)$, use $\int_0^1 (x)[4(x-x^3)]\,dx$.

For the variance of $2X$ you could proceed directly. However, I prefer to use $\text{Var}(kX)=k^2\text{Var}(X)$. So we want $4\text{Var}(X)$.

To find $\text{Var}(X)$, use the fact that it is equal to $E(X^2)-(E(X))^2$. And then use $E(X^2)=\int_0^1 (x^2)[4(x-x^3)]\,dx$.