If $X$ is a poisson variate $P(X=1)=2 P(X=2)$, then $P(X=3)$ is equal to

If $X$ is a poisson variate $P(X=1)=2 P(X=2)$, then $P(X=3)$ is equal to
  1. $\frac{e^{-1}}{6}$
  2. $\frac{e^{-2}}{2}$
  3. $\frac{e^{-1}}{2}$
  4. $\frac{e^{-1}}{3}$

Solution

In poission distribution $ \begin{gathered} P(X=x)=\frac{\lambda^x e^{-\lambda}}{x !} \\ P(X=1)=\frac{\lambda e^{-\lambda}}{1 !}=\lambda e^{-\lambda} \\ P(X=2)=\frac{\lambda^2 e^{-\lambda}}{2 !}=\frac{\lambda^2 e^{-\lambda}}{2} \\ P(X=1)=2 P(x=2) \\ \Rightarrow \quad \lambda e^{-\lambda}=2 \times \frac{\lambda^2 e^{-\lambda}}{2} \\ \Rightarrow \quad \lambda(\lambda-1)=0 \end{gathered} $ $ \begin{aligned} & \lambda \neq 0 \\ \therefore & \lambda=1 \end{aligned} $ Hence, $P(X=3)=\frac{(1)^3 e^{-1}}{3 !}=\frac{e^{-1}}{6} \quad(\because \lambda=1)$

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2013

Practice more Probability questions on Aicharya