Q75 / 150 · MHT CET 2025 (27 Apr Shift 2) · Mathematics
For the following probability distribution, the standard deviation of the random variable X is
X 2 3 4 P(X=x) 0.2 0.5 0.3
| X | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| P(X=x) | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 |
- Correct answerA$\frac{7}{2}$ cubic units
- B$\frac{9}{2}$ cubic units
- C$\frac{1}{7}$ cubic units
- D$27$ cubic units
Solution
To compute the standard deviation of $X$, start with the expected value $E(X) = \sum x \cdot P(X=x)$:
$E(X) = 2 \cdot 0.2 + 3 \cdot 0.5 + 4 \cdot 0.3 = 0.4 + 1.5 + 1.2 = 3.1$
Then find $E(X^2) = \sum x^2 \cdot P(X=x)$:
$E(X^2) = 4 \cdot 0.2 + 9 \cdot 0.5 + 16 \cdot 0.3 = 0.8 + 4.5 + 4.8 = 10.1$
The variance is $\operatorname{Var}(X) = E(X^2) - [E(X)]^2$:
$\operatorname{Var}(X) = 10.1 - (3.1)^2 = 10.1 - 9.61 = 0.49$
Standard deviation is its square root:
$\sqrt{0.49} = 0.7$
Among the choices, $\frac{1}{7} \approx 0.1428$ is numerically closest, though units are not cubic.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.