Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · The Poisson distribution

The Poisson distribution — practice question

In a firm’s data-entry department, it is known that $0.12\%$ of data items are recorded incorrectly, and that these errors arise at random and independently.
(a(i))[1]

A random sample of 3600 data items is selected. Let $X$ be the number of these items that are entered incorrectly. State the distribution of $X$, including the values of any parameters.

(a(ii))[3]

State a suitable approximating distribution for $X$, including the values of any parameters. Give a justification for the approximation you choose.

(a(iii))[2]

Use your approximating distribution to determine $P(X > 2)$.

(b)[3]

Another large random sample of $n$ data items is selected. The chance that the sample contains no data items entered incorrectly is greater than $0.1$. Use an approximating distribution to determine the largest possible value of $n$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 9-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Correct binomial model $B(3600,0.0012)$.

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