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#1 2012-10-30 06:14:59

genericname
Member
Registered: 2012-05-16
Posts: 52

Question about geometric series

Hi, how do I prove that the sum of all the probabilities is equal to 1 for this problem?

Flip a coin until heads show, assume that the probability of heads on one flip is 4/5. We define a random variable X = the number of flips.

a) What are the possible values of X?
b) Find the probability distribution for X: give the first four values and then find a general formula for the probability that X = n
c) Prove that the sum of all probabilities is 1 using the formula for the sum of a geometric series.

My answers:
a) X=1,2,3,...,n

b)
p(1) = 4/5
p(2) = 4/25
p(3) = 4/125
p(n) = ((1/5)^n-1) * (4/5)

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#2 2012-10-30 06:28:18

Bob
Administrator
Registered: 2010-06-20
Posts: 10,010

Re: Question about geometric series

hi genericname

The series could continue for ever so you need the sum to infinity of a geometric series.



Here 'a' is the first term 4/5 and r is 1/5


http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/seque … etric.html

Bob


Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob smile

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#3 2012-10-30 07:16:16

genericname
Member
Registered: 2012-05-16
Posts: 52

Re: Question about geometric series

Thank you, bob.

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