- #1
semidevil
- 157
- 2
a couple decides that they will have kids until a girl is born. the outcome of each birth is independent event, and the probability that a girl will be born is 1/2. The birht at which the first girl appears is a geometric distribution. what is the expected family size.
ok, so we know that the probability of having a girl is 1/2.
geometric distribution formula, it is the sum from 1 to k of (1- p) * (p)^k, where k = 1, 2, 3, 4,...k.
but when I tihnk about it, I have an expected value formula, where E(X) = 1/p. so if I put 1/(1/2), I get the answer is 2. So the expected family size is 2?
I don't know..I have this geometric formula that I don't know what to do with, and I have this expected value formula that makes it seem this problem is too easy...
any tips?
ok, so we know that the probability of having a girl is 1/2.
geometric distribution formula, it is the sum from 1 to k of (1- p) * (p)^k, where k = 1, 2, 3, 4,...k.
but when I tihnk about it, I have an expected value formula, where E(X) = 1/p. so if I put 1/(1/2), I get the answer is 2. So the expected family size is 2?
I don't know..I have this geometric formula that I don't know what to do with, and I have this expected value formula that makes it seem this problem is too easy...
any tips?