If a random variable X follows Poisson's distribution such that $P(X = 2) = 9 P(X = 4)+90 P(X = 6)$, then sum of the mean and variance of X is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → 2 **
For a Poisson distribution with parameter $\lambda$:
$P(X=k)=e^{-\lambda}\frac{\lambda^{k}}{k!}$
Given:
$P(2)=9P(4)+90P(6)$
Substitute the formula:
$e^{-\lambda}\frac{\lambda^{2}}{2} = 9e^{-\lambda}\frac{\lambda^{4}}{24} + 90e^{-\lambda}\frac{\lambda^{6}}{720}$
Cancel $e^{-\lambda}$:
$\frac{\lambda^{2}}{2} = \frac{9\lambda^{4}}{24} + \frac{90\lambda^{6}}{720}$
$4\lambda^{2} = 3\lambda^{4} + \lambda^{6}$
Rearrange:
$\lambda^{6} + 3\lambda^{4} - 4\lambda^{2} = 0$
Factor:
$\lambda^{2}(\lambda^{4} + 3\lambda^{2} - 4)=0$
Let $t=\lambda^{2}$:
$t^{2} + 3t - 4 = 0$
$(t-1)(t+4)=0$
$t=1$ (positive root)
$\lambda^{2}=1 \Rightarrow \lambda=1$
For Poisson distribution:
Mean = $\lambda$
Variance = $\lambda$
Sum of mean and variance = $2\lambda = 2$
The required sum is $2$.