An Introduction to Mathematical Statistics and Its Applications (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13411-421-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-13411-421-7

Chapter 4 Special Distributions - 4.2 The Poisson Distribution - Questions - Page 232: 22

Answer

$\color{blue}{\frac{2}{3}e^{-2} \approx 0.090}$

Work Step by Step

Let $X\sim \text{Poisson}(\lambda) \implies p_X(x) = \dfrac{e^{-\lambda}\lambda^x}{x!},\ x=0,1,2,3,\ldots;\ \lambda\gt 0$. $P(X=1) = P(X=2) \\ \implies p_X(1) = p_X(2) \\ \implies \dfrac{e^{-\lambda}\lambda^1}{1!} = \dfrac{e^{-\lambda}\lambda^2}{2!} \\ \implies \lambda = \dfrac{\lambda^2}{2} \\ \implies \lambda^2-2\lambda = 0 \\ \implies \lambda(\lambda-2) = 0 \\ \implies \lambda=0, 2 \\ \implies \lambda = 2, \qquad \text{since }\lambda \gt 0. $ Thus, if $X\sim \text{Poisson}(\lambda)$ and $P(X=1)=P(X=2)$, then $\lambda=2$. Consequently, the pdf for such an $X$ is $p_X(x) = \dfrac{e^{-2}2^x}{x!},\ x=0,1,2,3,\ldots$. Thus, $\begin{align*} P(X=4) &= p_X(4) \\ &= \dfrac{e^{-2}2^4}{4!} \\ &= \dfrac{2}{3}e^{-2} \\ \color{blue}{P(X=4)} &\color{blue}{\approx 0.090} \end{align*}$
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