Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2009/ia/paper-2/9f/a/solution

Use the usual assumption that the two die scores are independent random variables. A fair score has expected value and variance . Linearity of expectation and the variance of a sum therefore give
Count the ordered pairs of scores to obtain the probability mass functions
On these attainable probability supports, the maxima occur at and , each with probability ; the minima occur at and , each with probability . Outside the respective probability support, the mass is zero.
They are not independent: implies equal die scores and hence is an even number, so , whereas . In fact : this is an example of uncorrelated random variables that are dependent.

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