In: Statistics and Probability
In a web homework problem, we might generate a system of
equations ax + by = k 1 , cx + dy = k 2 , where
each of a, b, c, d, k 1 and k 2 are randomly generated. Suppose
that each of these values is equally likely
to be 1, 2 or 3, and that they are generated independently.
a) Let the random variable X = ad. What are possible values of X?
What is its probability mass
function?
b) What is the probability that the system may not have a
solution—that is, what is the probability
that ad = bc?
c) Now suppose that the system is not guaranteed a solution (that
is, we know that ad = bc). What is
the probability that bc has one of the values 2, 3, or 6?