Math Problem Statement

Calculate the expected value of XE(X), for the given probability distribution. E(X) = 

x

10

20

30

40

P(X = x)

10

50

5

50

20

50

15

50

Solution

To calculate the expected value E(X)E(X) for a discrete random variable XX, we use the formula:

E(X)=xP(X=x)E(X) = \sum x \cdot P(X = x)

Given the values:

  • When x=10x = 10, P(X=10)=1050=0.2P(X = 10) = \frac{10}{50} = 0.2
  • When x=20x = 20, P(X=20)=550=0.1P(X = 20) = \frac{5}{50} = 0.1
  • When x=30x = 30, P(X=30)=2050=0.4P(X = 30) = \frac{20}{50} = 0.4
  • When x=40x = 40, P(X=40)=1550=0.3P(X = 40) = \frac{15}{50} = 0.3

Now, we calculate E(X)E(X) by summing xP(X=x)x \cdot P(X = x) for each value of xx:

E(X)=100.2+200.1+300.4+400.3E(X) = 10 \cdot 0.2 + 20 \cdot 0.1 + 30 \cdot 0.4 + 40 \cdot 0.3

Calculating each term:

  1. 100.2=210 \cdot 0.2 = 2
  2. 200.1=220 \cdot 0.1 = 2
  3. 300.4=1230 \cdot 0.4 = 12
  4. 400.3=1240 \cdot 0.3 = 12

Adding these up:

E(X)=2+2+12+12=28E(X) = 2 + 2 + 12 + 12 = 28

Thus, the expected value E(X)E(X) is 28.

Would you like a further breakdown of this solution or have any questions?


Here are five related questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How would the expected value change if the probability of X=10X = 10 were increased?
  2. What is the variance of XX for this distribution?
  3. If another value, say x=50x = 50, was added to the distribution, how would you calculate the new expected value?
  4. How does the expected value help in interpreting the distribution's central tendency?
  5. Can the expected value be an actual outcome in this probability distribution?

Tip: The expected value doesn't always correspond to a possible outcome in the distribution; it's more like a weighted average or center of mass of the probability distribution.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Expected Value
Discrete Random Variables

Formulas

E(X) = Σ x * P(X = x)

Theorems

Expected Value of Discrete Random Variables

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12