AS/A2 Stats 1 Stats 3

S2 Topic 2: Continuous random variables
Calculating the mode
A pdf f(x) is defined by:
The mode of the distribution is the value occuring with highest probability. On a graph of the pdf this will be the maximum turning point. This point can be found by calculus by solving f'(x)=0.

Summary This method uses differentiation techniques from Pure 1. You will need to know how to differentiate basic polyniomials in x such a linear, quadratic or cubic functions, and then how to solve an equation. In this particular case two points are identified, x=2 and x=6. Thet are both turning points but only x=2 represents a maximum turning point, a modal point. This page uses WebEQ. To speed up downloading you can install this WebEQ Math Viewer . Click on the Math Viewer icon and you will be taken to the download site.