CONTENTS
Formulae
Glossary
What are probability distributions?
Discrete vs continuous random variables
The language of probability
True probability, experimental probability and theoretical (model) probability
Discrete random variables
1. General distributions
Describing distributions
Calculating the mean, standard deviation and variance of distributions
Linear combinations of a discrete random variable: expectation algebra
Linear combinations of several discrete distributions: expectation algebra
2. The Poisson distribution
Applications of the Poisson distribution
Inverse Poisson problems
3. The binomial distribution
Inverse binomial problems
Continuous random variables
1. The normal distribution
Sketching normal distributions
The standard normal distribution
Reading normal distribution tables
Calculating probabilities
Inverse normal distribution
Mixed normal distribution problems
Continuity correction
2. The rectangular (continuous uniform) distribution
3. The triangular distribution
Practice questions
Answers
Tables
Binomial distribution
Poisson distribution
Normal distribution
Mix and match activity
Charlotte has over 10 years’ experience in teaching Mathematics, the majority of this as Assistant HOD of Mathematics and Dean of Year 9 at Darfield High School. She has also undertaken a year at St Margaret’s – a high decile, girls’ school. Here she focused on teaching the junior levels (including Year 7 and 8).
Victoria has twenty years’ experience in teaching Mathematics and has recently retired as Teacher of Mathematics and Specialist Classroom Teacher at Riccarton High School. She has received a Jim Campbell award for teaching excellence (2003) and an Ernest Duncan award in Mathematics (2007).