CAIE A-Level Further Math AS 4.5 Probability Generating Functions Questions

Practise constructing PGFs, extracting probabilities, differentiating for moments and combining independent variables.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Further Mathematics 9231
Level
AS

Exam points

  • construct G_X(t)=ΣP(X=x)t^x from a probability table or discrete model
  • read probabilities from coefficients and use derivatives at t=1 for moments
  • multiply PGFs only when the summed random variables are independent

Question 1

[Maximum number: 10]

The random variable X has the geometric distribution Geo⁡(p)\operatorname{Geo}(p).

Question (a)

(a)

Show that the probability generating function of X is pt1−qt\frac{p t}{1-q t}, where q=1-p.

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Use the probability generating function of X to show that Var⁡(X)=qp2\operatorname{Var}(X)=\frac{q}{p^{2}}.

Kenny throws an ordinary fair 6-sided dice repeatedly. The random variable X is the number of throws that Kenny takes in order to obtain a 6. The random variable Z denotes the sum of two independent values of X.

[ 5 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Find the probability generating function of Z.

[ 2 ]
All question bank results loaded