The Geometric Distribution - AP Statistics
Card 1 of 30
Describe the shape of the probability mass function of a geometric distribution.
Describe the shape of the probability mass function of a geometric distribution.
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Decreasing exponential shape. Highest probability at $X=1$, decreasing exponentially thereafter.
Decreasing exponential shape. Highest probability at $X=1$, decreasing exponentially thereafter.
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Calculate $P(X \leq 5)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.2$.
Calculate $P(X \leq 5)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.2$.
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$P(X \leq 5) = 1 - (0.8)^5$. CDF calculation for success within 5 trials.
$P(X \leq 5) = 1 - (0.8)^5$. CDF calculation for success within 5 trials.
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What is the formula for the probability mass function of a geometric distribution?
What is the formula for the probability mass function of a geometric distribution?
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$P(X = k) = (1-p)^{k-1}p$. Standard PMF where $k$ is trial number and $p$ is success probability.
$P(X = k) = (1-p)^{k-1}p$. Standard PMF where $k$ is trial number and $p$ is success probability.
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Identify the random variable $X$ in a geometric distribution.
Identify the random variable $X$ in a geometric distribution.
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The number of trials until the first success. Counts trials needed to achieve one success in independent trials.
The number of trials until the first success. Counts trials needed to achieve one success in independent trials.
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What is the mean (expected value) formula for a geometric distribution?
What is the mean (expected value) formula for a geometric distribution?
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$E(X) = \frac{1}{p}$. Higher success probability means fewer expected trials needed.
$E(X) = \frac{1}{p}$. Higher success probability means fewer expected trials needed.
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What condition must be met for a geometric distribution to be applicable?
What condition must be met for a geometric distribution to be applicable?
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Trials are independent with constant probability $p$ of success. Each trial must have same success chance and be unaffected by others.
Trials are independent with constant probability $p$ of success. Each trial must have same success chance and be unaffected by others.
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State the formula for the variance of a geometric distribution.
State the formula for the variance of a geometric distribution.
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$Var(X) = \frac{1-p}{p^2}$. Standard variance formula derived from geometric distribution theory.
$Var(X) = \frac{1-p}{p^2}$. Standard variance formula derived from geometric distribution theory.
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Which distribution models the number of trials until first success?
Which distribution models the number of trials until first success?
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The geometric distribution. Specifically models waiting time until first success occurs.
The geometric distribution. Specifically models waiting time until first success occurs.
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Find the probability of the first success on the 4th trial with $p = 0.3$.
Find the probability of the first success on the 4th trial with $p = 0.3$.
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$P(X = 4) = (0.7)^3 \times 0.3$. Three failures $(1-0.3)^3$ then success $0.3$ on trial 4.
$P(X = 4) = (0.7)^3 \times 0.3$. Three failures $(1-0.3)^3$ then success $0.3$ on trial 4.
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What is the skewness of a geometric distribution?
What is the skewness of a geometric distribution?
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Positively skewed. Most probability mass at $X=1$, decreasing for higher values.
Positively skewed. Most probability mass at $X=1$, decreasing for higher values.
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How does the probability of success $p$ affect the mean of a geometric distribution?
How does the probability of success $p$ affect the mean of a geometric distribution?
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As $p$ increases, the mean decreases. Higher $p$ means success comes sooner on average.
As $p$ increases, the mean decreases. Higher $p$ means success comes sooner on average.
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Find $P(X > 3)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.2$.
Find $P(X > 3)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.2$.
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$P(X > 3) = (1-0.2)^3$. Probability of needing more than 3 trials equals $(0.8)^3$.
$P(X > 3) = (1-0.2)^3$. Probability of needing more than 3 trials equals $(0.8)^3$.
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What is the mode of a geometric distribution?
What is the mode of a geometric distribution?
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Mode = 1. First trial always has highest probability of success.
Mode = 1. First trial always has highest probability of success.
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Calculate $E(X)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.5$.
Calculate $E(X)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.5$.
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$E(X) = \frac{1}{0.5} = 2$. Expected trials equals reciprocal of success probability.
$E(X) = \frac{1}{0.5} = 2$. Expected trials equals reciprocal of success probability.
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Determine $Var(X)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.4$.
Determine $Var(X)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.4$.
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$Var(X) = \frac{1-0.4}{0.4^2}$. Uses standard variance formula $\frac{1-p}{p^2}$ with $p=0.4$.
$Var(X) = \frac{1-0.4}{0.4^2}$. Uses standard variance formula $\frac{1-p}{p^2}$ with $p=0.4$.
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What is the formula for the probability mass function of a geometric distribution?
What is the formula for the probability mass function of a geometric distribution?
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$P(X = k) = (1-p)^{k-1}p$. Standard PMF where $k$ is trial number and $p$ is success probability.
$P(X = k) = (1-p)^{k-1}p$. Standard PMF where $k$ is trial number and $p$ is success probability.
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Identify the random variable $X$ in a geometric distribution.
Identify the random variable $X$ in a geometric distribution.
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The number of trials until the first success. Counts trials needed to achieve one success in independent trials.
The number of trials until the first success. Counts trials needed to achieve one success in independent trials.
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What is the cumulative distribution function of a geometric distribution?
What is the cumulative distribution function of a geometric distribution?
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$P(X \leq k) = 1 - (1-p)^k$. CDF gives probability of success by trial $k$.
$P(X \leq k) = 1 - (1-p)^k$. CDF gives probability of success by trial $k$.
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Find the probability of the first success on the 4th trial with $p = 0.3$.
Find the probability of the first success on the 4th trial with $p = 0.3$.
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$P(X = 4) = (0.7)^3 \times 0.3$. Three failures $(1-0.3)^3$ then success $0.3$ on trial 4.
$P(X = 4) = (0.7)^3 \times 0.3$. Three failures $(1-0.3)^3$ then success $0.3$ on trial 4.
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Find the probability of the first success on or before the 3rd trial with $p = 0.5$.
Find the probability of the first success on or before the 3rd trial with $p = 0.5$.
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$P(X \leq 3) = 1 - (0.5)^3$. CDF formula gives probability of success by trial 3.
$P(X \leq 3) = 1 - (0.5)^3$. CDF formula gives probability of success by trial 3.
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What does the geometric distribution assume about trial independence?
What does the geometric distribution assume about trial independence?
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Trials are independent. Each trial outcome doesn't affect subsequent trial probabilities.
Trials are independent. Each trial outcome doesn't affect subsequent trial probabilities.
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What is the mean (expected value) formula for a geometric distribution?
What is the mean (expected value) formula for a geometric distribution?
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$E(X) = \frac{1}{p}$. Higher success probability means fewer expected trials needed.
$E(X) = \frac{1}{p}$. Higher success probability means fewer expected trials needed.
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What condition must be met for a geometric distribution to be applicable?
What condition must be met for a geometric distribution to be applicable?
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Trials are independent with constant probability $p$ of success. Each trial must have same success chance and be unaffected by others.
Trials are independent with constant probability $p$ of success. Each trial must have same success chance and be unaffected by others.
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State the formula for the variance of a geometric distribution.
State the formula for the variance of a geometric distribution.
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$Var(X) = \frac{1-p}{p^2}$. Standard variance formula derived from geometric distribution theory.
$Var(X) = \frac{1-p}{p^2}$. Standard variance formula derived from geometric distribution theory.
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Find $P(X > 3)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.2$.
Find $P(X > 3)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.2$.
Tap to reveal answer
$P(X > 3) = (1-0.2)^3$. Probability of needing more than 3 trials equals $(0.8)^3$.
$P(X > 3) = (1-0.2)^3$. Probability of needing more than 3 trials equals $(0.8)^3$.
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What is the mode of a geometric distribution?
What is the mode of a geometric distribution?
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Mode = 1. First trial always has highest probability of success.
Mode = 1. First trial always has highest probability of success.
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Calculate $E(X)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.5$.
Calculate $E(X)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.5$.
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$E(X) = \frac{1}{0.5} = 2$. Expected trials equals reciprocal of success probability.
$E(X) = \frac{1}{0.5} = 2$. Expected trials equals reciprocal of success probability.
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Determine $Var(X)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.4$.
Determine $Var(X)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.4$.
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$Var(X) = \frac{1-0.4}{0.4^2}$. Uses standard variance formula $\frac{1-p}{p^2}$ with $p=0.4$.
$Var(X) = \frac{1-0.4}{0.4^2}$. Uses standard variance formula $\frac{1-p}{p^2}$ with $p=0.4$.
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What type of variable is used in a geometric distribution?
What type of variable is used in a geometric distribution?
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Discrete random variable. Counts whole number trials, not continuous values.
Discrete random variable. Counts whole number trials, not continuous values.
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Find $P(X \leq 4)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.3$.
Find $P(X \leq 4)$ for a geometric distribution with $p = 0.3$.
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$P(X \leq 4) = 1 - (0.7)^4$. Uses CDF formula with success probability $p=0.3$.
$P(X \leq 4) = 1 - (0.7)^4$. Uses CDF formula with success probability $p=0.3$.
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