LESSON 1: Discrete and Continuous Random Variables

Random Variable – a numerical quantity that is assigned to the outcome of an experiment.

Note: We use capital letters to represent a random variable. The variable is said to be random if the
sum of the probabilities is ONE.

To determine the values of the random variable in an experiment, follow these steps:

■ List the sample space of the experiment

■ Count the number of the random variable in each outcome and assign this number to this
outcome.

Let’s Have Some Example:

Suppose two coins are tossed and we are interested to determine the number of heads that will come
out. Let us use H to represent the number of heads that will come out. Determine the values of the
random variable.

Step 1. List the sample space of the experiment.

S = {HH, HT, TH, TT}

Step 2. Count the number of heads in each outcome and assign this number to this outcome.

OUTCOME NUMBER OF HEADS

(VALUE OF H)

HH 2
HT 1
TH 1
TT 0

The value of the random variable H (number of heads) in this experiment are 0, 1, and 2.

Another Example:

A basket contains 10 ripe and 4 unripe bananas. If three bananas are taken from the basket one after
the other, determine the possible values of the random variable R representing the number of the ripe
bananas.

STEP 1. List the sample space of this experiment. Let R represent the ripe bananas and let U represent
the unripe bananas.

S = {RRR, RRU, RUR, URR, UUR, URU, RUU, UUU}

STEP 2. Count the number of ripe bananas ® in each outcome and assign this number to this outcome.
 OUTCOME NUMBER OF RIPE BANANAS
(VALUE OF R)

RRR 3

RRU 2

RUR 2

URR 2

UUR 1

URU 1

RUU 1

UUU 0

Discrete and Continuous Random Variable

A random variable may be classified as discrete or continuous. A discrete random variable is
one that can assume only a countable number of values. A continuous random variable can
assume infinite number of values in one or more intervals.
Study the following examples.

Discrete Random Variable Continuous Random Variable

Number of pencils in the box Amount of antibiotics in the vial

Number of soldiers in the Lifetime of light bulbs in

troop minutes

Number of rotten tomatoes Length of wire ropes

in the basket

Number of defective Voltage of radio batteries

LESSON 2: DISCRETE PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
Definition of Terms:
 A probability distribution of a discrete random variable is a correspondence that
assigns probabilities to the values of a random variable. The probability distribution of
a discrete random variable is also called the probability mass function.
 Probability distribution is a listing of the possible values and the corresponding
probabilities of a discrete random variable or a formula for the probabilities.
For any discrete random variable X, the following are true.
▪ 0 ≤ P(X) ≤ 1, for each value of X
▪ ∑ P(X) = 1
▪ A probability distribution can be described by a formula.
▪ The probability histogram is a bar graph that displays the possible values of a discrete
random variable on the horizontal axis and the probabilities of those values on the
vertical axis.
EXAMPLE:
1. A basket contains 10 ripe and 4 unripe bananas. If three bananas are taken from the
basket one after the other, determine the possible values of the random variable R
representing the number of the ripe bananas.
STEP 1. List the sample space of this experiment. Let R represent the ripe bananas and let U
represent the unripe bananas.
S = {RRR, RRU, RUR, URR, UUR, URU, RUU, UUU}
STEP 2. Count the number of ripe bananas ® in each outcome and assign this number to this
outcome.

OUTCOME NUMBER OF RIPE BANANAS (VALUE OF R)

RRR 3

RRU 2

RUR 2

URR 2
 UUR 1

URU 1

RUU 1

UUU 0

STEP 3. Construct the frequency distribution of the values of the random variable R.

Number of Ripe Bananas (Values of R) Number of Occurrence (frequency)

3 1

2 3

1 3

0 1

Total 8

STEP 4. Construct the probability distribution of the random variable R by getting the
probability of occurrence of each value of the random variable.

Number of Ripe Bananas Number of Probability P(R)

(Values of R) Occurrence
(frequency)

3 1 1/8

2 3 3/8
 1 3 3/8

0 1 1/8

TOTAL 8 1

The probability distribution of the random variable R can be written as follows:

R 3 2 1 0

P(R) 𝟏 𝟑 𝟑 𝟏
𝟖 𝟖 𝟖 𝟖

Example 3:
Consider the probability distribution of the number of bananas given below.

R 3 2 1 0

P(R) 𝟏 𝟑 𝟑 𝟏
𝟖 𝟖 𝟖 𝟖

Find the following.

1. P(R = 3)
2. P(R = 1)
3. P(R > 1)
4. P(R < 2)
5. ∑ P(R)
Finding the Discrete Probability Distribution Described by a Formula
EXAMPLE NO. 4
Determine whether or not the formula below describes a probability distribution.
 𝑿+𝟏
𝑷(𝑿) = where X = 0, 1, 3. If it is, find the following:
𝟕

1. P(X = 3)
2. P(X ≥ 1)
3. P(X ≤ 1)
Solution:

X P(X)

0 𝟏
𝟕

1 𝟐
𝟕

3 𝟒
𝟕

The formula gives a probability distribution because 0 ≤ P(X) ≤ 1 where X = 0,1,3. Likewise, the sum of
all probability values is equal to one.

Graphical Presentation of a Discrete Probability Distribution

 The probability distribution of a discrete random variable can be shown graphically by

constructing a histogram. The graph is called probability histogram.

 The probability histogram displays the possible values of a discrete random variable on the
horizontal axis and the probabilities of those values on the vertical axis. Analyze the example
below.

 Construct the probability histogram of the probability distribution of the number of ripe
bananas.

Probability Distribution of the Number of Ripe Bananas

R 3 2 1 0

P(R) 𝟏 𝟑 𝟑 𝟏
𝟖 𝟖 𝟖 𝟖