ChE 311.

3 – Mathematical Modelling I

Assignment # 1

Posted: September 18th

Due: September 25th (beginning of class)

The following questions are taken from “Statistics and Probability for Engineering
Applications” by W. J. DeCoursey.

1. A random sample of 250 students entering the university included 120

females, of whom 20 belonged to a minority group, 65 had averages over
80%, and 10 fit both categories. Among the 250 students, a total of 105
people in the sample had averages over 80%, and a total of 40 belonged to
the minority group. Fifteen males in the minority group had averages over
80%.
i) How many of those not in the minority group had averages over
80%?
ii) Given a person was a male from the minority group, what is the
probability he had an average over 80%?
iii) What is the probability that a person selected at random was male,
did not come from the minority group, and had an average less than 80%?

2. The probabilities of various numbers of failures in a mechanical test

are as follows:
Pr[0 failures] = 0.21, Pr[1 failure] = 0.43, Pr[2 failures] = 0.28, Pr[3 failures]
= 0.08, Pr[>3 failures] = 0.
i) Show this probability function as a graph.
ii) Sketch a graph of the corresponding cumulative distribution
function.
iii) What is the expected number of failures?
3. Every student in a certain program of studies takes all three courses A, B,
and C. The average enrollment in the program is 50 students.

Past history shows that on the average:

i) 5 students in course A receive marks of at least 75%
ii) 7.5 students in course B receive marks of at least 75%
iii) 6 students in course C receive marks of at least 75%
iv) 80% of students who receive marks of at least 75% in course A
also do so in course B.
v) 50% of students who receive marks of at least 75% in course B
also do so in course C.
vi) 60% of students who receive marks of at least 75% in course C
also do so in course A.
vii) 10 students receive marks of at least 75% in one or more of
these classes. A sponsor gives a scholarship of $500 to anyone
who receives a mark of at least 75% in all three courses. What
can the sponsor expect to pay on average?

4. Ten judges are asked to pick the best tasting orange juice from two
samples labeled A and B. If, in fact, A and B are the same orange juice, what
is the probability that eight of more of the judges will declare the same
sample to be the best? Assume that no judge says that they are equal.