Original practice · fully worked
Original variant: expected peak diagnostic severity
A diagnostic system records a daily peak severity M in {0,1,2,3}. Historical tail probabilities are P(M≥1)=0.72, P(M≥2)=0.35, and P(M≥3)=0.10. Calculate E[M].
- A
0.10 - B
0.35 - C
0.72 - D
1.17 - E
1.72
Answer and calculation
A bounded nonnegative integer variable has mean equal to the sum of its positive tail probabilities. Adding the three supplied tails gives 1.17, so choice D is correct.
Setup
Setup
Represent the severity as the number of positive thresholds it crosses.
M=1{M≥1}+1{M≥2}+1{M≥3} Model
Model
Take expectations term by term.
E[M]=Pr(M≥1)+Pr(M≥2)+Pr(M≥3) Compute
Compute
Substitute the three tail probabilities.
E[M]=0.72+0.35+0.10=1.17 Answer
Answer
The expected peak severity is 1.17.
1.17(D)