Find the constant C such that p(x) is a probability function. Compute the probability P(1.5≤X ≤2).

College Algebra (MindTap Course List)
12th Edition
ISBN:9781305652231
Author:R. David Gustafson, Jeff Hughes
Publisher:R. David Gustafson, Jeff Hughes
Chapter4: Polynomial And Rational Functions
Section4.2: Polynomial Functions
Problem 96E: What is the purpose of the Intermediate Value Theorem?
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Let \( p(x) = C \cdot \frac{1}{x} \) on \([1 \leq X \leq 2]\).
Transcribed Image Text:Let \( p(x) = C \cdot \frac{1}{x} \) on \([1 \leq X \leq 2]\).
### Problem Statement

**Objective:**
1. Find the constant \( C \) such that \( p(x) \) is a probability function.
2. Compute the probability \( P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) \).

### Solution Steps

To solve the problem, follow these steps:

#### Step 1: Determine the constant \( C \)
To find the constant \( C \) that makes \( p(x) \) a probability function, we need to ensure that the total area under the probability density function (pdf) \( p(x) \) over the possible values of \( x \) is equal to 1.

#### Step 2: Calculate the probability \( P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) \)
Once we have the value of \( C \), we can integrate the pdf \( p(x) \) from 1.5 to 2 to find this probability.

### Detailed Explanation

1. **Finding the constant \( C \):**
   - This requires integrating \( p(x) \) over the domain \( x \) where \( p(x) \) is defined, and setting the integral equal to 1.
   \[
   \int_{a}^{b} p(x) \, dx = 1
   \]
   - Solve for \( C \).

2. **Computing the probability \( P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) \):**
   - Integrate the probability density function \( p(x) \) from 1.5 to 2.
   \[
   P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) = \int_{1.5}^{2} p(x) \, dx
   \]
   - Use the value of \( C \) obtained from the previous step to evaluate this integral.

### Graphical Explanation (if any Graph or Diagram)
- **Graph Consideration:**
  - If there are graphs depicting the pdf \( p(x) \):
    - The x-axis represents the variable \( x \).
    - The y-axis represents the probability density \( p(x) \).
    - The area under the curve of \( p(x) \) between \( x = 1.5 \) and \( x = 2 \) represents the probability \( P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) \).
Transcribed Image Text:### Problem Statement **Objective:** 1. Find the constant \( C \) such that \( p(x) \) is a probability function. 2. Compute the probability \( P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) \). ### Solution Steps To solve the problem, follow these steps: #### Step 1: Determine the constant \( C \) To find the constant \( C \) that makes \( p(x) \) a probability function, we need to ensure that the total area under the probability density function (pdf) \( p(x) \) over the possible values of \( x \) is equal to 1. #### Step 2: Calculate the probability \( P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) \) Once we have the value of \( C \), we can integrate the pdf \( p(x) \) from 1.5 to 2 to find this probability. ### Detailed Explanation 1. **Finding the constant \( C \):** - This requires integrating \( p(x) \) over the domain \( x \) where \( p(x) \) is defined, and setting the integral equal to 1. \[ \int_{a}^{b} p(x) \, dx = 1 \] - Solve for \( C \). 2. **Computing the probability \( P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) \):** - Integrate the probability density function \( p(x) \) from 1.5 to 2. \[ P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) = \int_{1.5}^{2} p(x) \, dx \] - Use the value of \( C \) obtained from the previous step to evaluate this integral. ### Graphical Explanation (if any Graph or Diagram) - **Graph Consideration:** - If there are graphs depicting the pdf \( p(x) \): - The x-axis represents the variable \( x \). - The y-axis represents the probability density \( p(x) \). - The area under the curve of \( p(x) \) between \( x = 1.5 \) and \( x = 2 \) represents the probability \( P(1.5 \leq X \leq 2) \).
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