(i) The fire alarm in Mill Lane is set off at random times. The probability of an alarm during the time-interval (u,u+h) is λ(u)h+o(h) where the 'intensity function' λ(u) may vary with the time u. Let N(t) be the number of alarms by time t, and set N(0)=0. Show, subject to reasonable extra assumptions to be stated clearly, that pi(t)=P(N(t)=i) satisfies
p0′(t)=−λ(t)p0(t),pi′(t)=λ(t){pi−1(t)−pi(t)},i⩾1.
Deduce that N(t) has the Poisson distribution with parameter Λ(t)=∫0tλ(u)du.
(ii) The fire alarm in Clarkson Road is different. The number M(t) of alarms by time t is such that
P(M(t+h)=m+1∣M(t)=m)=λmh+o(h),
where λm=αm+β,m⩾0, and α,β>0. Show, subject to suitable extra conditions, that pm(t)=P(M(t)=m) satisfies a set of differential-difference equations to be specified. Deduce without solving these equations in their entirety that M(t) has mean β(eαt−1)/α, and find the variance of M(t).