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Can You Find ... Random Variable Edition
Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level 
Can you find a discrete random variable $X$ which only takes integer values for which...
(a) ... the mean (expectation) is 2, the variance is 1, and $X$ takes only positive (integer) values? Can you find another? And a very different example?
(b) ... the mean is 2, the variance is 1, and $X$ takes negative or zero values in addition to positive values? Can you find another? And a very different example?
The next two parts are significantly more challenging. You might find it helpful to look at A Swiss Sum if you are stuck.
(c) ... $X$ takes only positive values, but its mean is infinite? Can you find another?
(d) ... the mean is 0 and the variance is as large as possible?
This resource is part of the collection Statistics - Maths of Real Life
(a) ... the mean (expectation) is 2, the variance is 1, and $X$ takes only positive (integer) values? Can you find another? And a very different example?
(b) ... the mean is 2, the variance is 1, and $X$ takes negative or zero values in addition to positive values? Can you find another? And a very different example?
The next two parts are significantly more challenging. You might find it helpful to look at A Swiss Sum if you are stuck.
(c) ... $X$ takes only positive values, but its mean is infinite? Can you find another?
(d) ... the mean is 0 and the variance is as large as possible?
You could give your answers in the form of a probability distribution table for $X$, or as a rule such as "$\mathrm{P}(X=r)=\cdots$ for $r=1$, $2$, $3$, ...".
This resource is part of the collection Statistics - Maths of Real Life
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Statistics - Maths of Real Life
This pilot collection of resources is designed to introduce key statistical ideas and help students to deepen their understanding.