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The negative binomial distributionEdexcel A-Level Further Maths: Mind map

The model
Probabilities

Negative binomial

trials until the rth success

NB(r,p)\mathrm{NB}(r,p)x≥rx\geq rindependent
Mean and variance
Series in context
Exam tips

Exam questions on The negative binomial distribution

  1. A shooter hits the target with probability 0.30.3 on each shot, independently of all other shots. Let XX be the number of shots needed to score 33 hits, so that the third hit occurs on shot XX.
    Find the probability that the third hit is scored on or before the fourth shot.2 marks
  2. A fair six-sided die is rolled repeatedly. Let XX be the number of rolls up to and including the roll on which the second six appears.
    Find the probability that more than 33 rolls are needed to obtain the second six.2 marks
  3. A telesales agent makes a sale on each call with probability 0.250.25, independently of all other calls. Let XX be the number of calls made up to and including the call on which the fourth sale is made.
    State the distribution of XX, and find E(X)\mathrm{E}(X) and Var(X)\mathrm{Var}(X).3 marks
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Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).