# Find the median of the exponential random variable with parameter λ

The median of a random variable X is a number µ that satisﬁes

Find the median of the exponential random variable with parameter λ.

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Hint: write first hte CDF of exponential law... –  Jean-Claude Arbaut Mar 23 '13 at 16:14
Sorry but... what kind of approach did you try, which failed to lead you to the solution? –  Did Mar 23 '13 at 17:03

For any positive number $x$, we have $$F_X(x)=\Pr(X\le x)=\int_0^x \lambda e^{-\lambda t}\,dt=1-e^{-\lambda x}.$$
So to find the median $m$, we want to solve the equation $$1-e^{-\lambda m}=\frac{1}{2}$$ for $m$, or equivalently to solve the equation $$e^{-\lambda m}=\frac{1}{2}.$$
Take the (natural) logarithm of both sides. We get $$-\lambda m=\ln(1/2)=-\ln(2).$$ Now solve for $m$. We get $$m=\frac{\ln 2}{\lambda}.$$
Remark: It is unfortunate that in the problem the symbol $\mu$ is used for the median, since $\mu$ is a standard name for the mean. A common symbol for the median is $m$.