Paper 3, Section II, 27K

Applied Probability
Part II, 2020

Define a renewal-reward process, and state the renewal-reward theorem.

A machine MM is repaired at time t=0t=0. After any repair, it functions without intervention for a time that is exponentially distributed with parameter λ\lambda, at which point it breaks down (assume the usual independence). Following any repair at time TT, say, it is inspected at times T,T+m,T+2m,T, T+m, T+2 m, \ldots, and instantly repaired if found to be broken (the inspection schedule is then restarted). Find the long run proportion of time that MM is working. [You may express your answer in terms of an integral.]