Video Transcript
Let π₯ be a continuous random
variable with the probability density function π of π₯ is equal to π₯ over eight if
π₯ is greater than two and less than three, one over 48 if π₯ is greater than three
and less than 36, and zero otherwise. Find the probability that π₯ is
greater than or equal to 11 and less than or equal to 24.
Remember, a continuous random
variable is one that takes on an unaccountably infinite number of possible
values. To find the probability that π₯
lies in some interval, we use a probability density function. Now, a probability density function
satisfies a few criteria. The first is π of π₯ must be
greater than or equal to zero for all values of π₯. The second is that the definite
integral between negative β and β of π of π₯ with respect to π₯ is equal to
one. And the third β and this is the one
weβre interested in β says that the probability that π₯ takes values greater than π
and less than π is equal to the definite integral between π and π of π of π₯
with respect to π₯.
Now, in fact, itβs important to
realise that since this is a continuous function, the same holds for the probability
that π₯ is greater than or equal to π and less than or equal to π. And thatβs great because weβre
looking to find the probability that π₯ is greater than or equal to 11 and less than
or equal to 24. So, the probability that π₯ is
greater than or equal to 11 and less than or equal to 24 must be equal to the
definite integral between 11 and 24 of π of π₯ with respect to π₯. But of course, our π of π₯ is
defined using a piecewise function. So, which part of the function do
we use?
Well, the part of the function
weβre interested in is for values of π₯ greater than three and less than 36. Remember, weβre looking for π₯ is
greater than or equal to 11 and less than or equal to 24. So we need to find the definite
integral between 11 and 24 of one over 48 with respect to π₯. Well, when we integrate one over
48, we get π₯ over 48. So the probability that π₯ is
greater than or equal to 11 and less than or equal to 24 is 24 over 48 minus 11 over
48 which is equal to 13 over 48. Given that π₯ is the continuous
random variable with the probability density function shown, the probability that π₯
is greater than or equal to 11 and less than or equal to 24 is 13 over 48.