CBSE 2025 · Region 4 · Set 1 · Q29 · 3 marks
Find the probability distribution of the number of boys in families having three children, assuming equal probability for a boy and a girl.A coin is tossed twice. Let X be a random variable defined as number of heads minus number of tails. Obtain the probability distribution of X and also find its mean.
Find the probability distribution of the number of boys in families having three children, assuming equal probability for a boy and a girl.
A coin is tossed twice. Let X be a random variable defined as number of heads minus number of tails. Obtain the probability distribution of X and also find its mean.
Marking-scheme solution
Let $\displaystyle X$ denote the random variable which counts the number of boys.
$\displaystyle X=0,1,2,3$
\[P(\text { Boy })=P(\text { Girl })=\frac{1}{2}
\]
Required Probability Distribution
$\displaystyle P(X)$ & $\displaystyle \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{3}=\frac{1}{8}$ & $\displaystyle 3\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{2}=\frac{3}{8}$ & $\displaystyle 3\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{2}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=\frac{3}{8}$ & $\displaystyle \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{3}=\frac{1}{8}$
Possible values of $\displaystyle X$ are - $\displaystyle 2,0,2$Mean $\displaystyle =\sum X P(X)=-2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)+0\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)+2\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)=0$
ProbabilityRandom Variable and its Probability DistributionApplyshort_answereasy
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CBSE Class 12 Mathematics past-paper question from the 2025board exam, with the answer as CBSE’s own marking scheme gives it. Where our answers come from.