Melc Competency Code: Random Variable
Melc Competency Code: Random Variable
Melc Competency Code: Random Variable
Random Variable
A random variable is a variable whose possible values are determined by chance. A random
variable is typically represented by an uppercase letter, usually X, while its corresponding
lowercase letter in the case, x, is used to represent one of its values. For example, a coin is tossed
thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that result from this experiment.
Probability Distribution
A listing of all possible values of a discrete random variable along with their corresponding
probabilities is called a discrete probability distribution. The discrete probability distribution can be
presented in tabular, graphical, or formula form.
The following properties must be satisfied before a distribution can be considered a
In the table, random variable X assumes the value 0,1, 2, and 3. The corresponding probabilities of
these values are 0.2, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.2, respectively. These corresponding probabilities are each
less than 1 but greater than 0 and we added, the sum is 1.
∑ P ( x )=0.2+0.3+ 0.3+0.2
=1
Example 2. The given spinner is divided into four sections. Let X be the score where the arrow will stop
(numbered as 1,2,3 and 4, in the drawing below).
a. Find then probability that the arrow will stop at 1, 2, 3 and 4.
b. Construct the discrete probability distribution of the random variable X.
1 2
Solution:
Let X = score on the spinner 3 4
1
The probability that the arrow will stop at any of the 4 divisions is 1 out of 4 or .
4
1
Hence, the probability of landing on 1 is 1 out of 4 or . The probability of landing on 2 is 1
4
1 1
out of 4 or .The probability of landing on 3 is 1 out of 4 or and the probability of landing
4 4
1
on 4 is also 1 out of 4 or .
4
The first property 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1 is met. Each of the probabilities is greater than 0 but less
than 1.
The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
∑ P ( x )=P(1)+ P(2)+ P(3)+ P(4)
1 1 1 1
= + + +
4 4 4 4
=1
The two requirements for a discrete probability distribution are satisfied. Therefore,
the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.
Example 3. Toss a fair coin twice and let X be equal to the number of heads (H) observed.
Construct the discrete probability distribution of X.
H TH 1
T
T TT 0
1
P(2) = ∨0.25
4
2
P(1) = ∨0.50
4
1 x 0 1 2
P(0) = ∨0.25
4 P(x) 1 1 1
4 2 4
2
4
Probability
1
4
0 1 2 3
Number of Heads When Tossing a fair Coin
a. Determine P(2)
Solution:
Use the second property of discrete probability distribution to determine P(2).
a. ∑ P ( x )=P ( 0 ) + P ( 1 )+ P ( 2 ) + P ( 3 ) + P(4 )
1 = 0.1 + 0.2 + P ( 2 ) + 0.2 + 0.2
1 = 0.7 + P ( 2 )
P ( 2 )= 0.3
Example 5. A discrete random variable X has the following probability:
x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.21 29c 0.29 0.21
a. Determine c.
Solution:
Use the second property of discrete probability distribution to determine P(2).
a. ∑ P ( x )=P ( 1 )+ P ( 2 ) + P ( 3 ) + P( 4)
1 = 0.21 + 0.29c + 0.29 + 0.21
1 = 0.71 + 29c
29c = 1 - 0.71
0.29
c=
29
c = 0.01
B. Exercises
EXERCISE 1
Directions: Classify the following random variables as DISCRETE or CONTINUOUS.
1. Length of a cell phone charger ____________________
2. Number of gadgets in a household ____________________
3. Count of words encoded per minute ____________________
4. Amount of water consumed per day ____________________
5. Sum of burgers sold in a day ____________________
EXERCISE 2
Directions: Determine whether the distribution represented is valid or not. Explain your answer.
x 0 1 2 3 4 1.
P(x) 1 3 1 1 3
10 10 5 5 10
x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0.10 0.20 0.25 0.40 0.05 2.
x 1 2 3 4 5
3.
P(x) 0.05 0.25 0.33 0.28 0.08
x 1 2 3 4 5 4.
P(x) 0.08 0.25 0.34 0.31 0.04
x 1 2 3 4 5
5.
P(x) 0.03 0.22 1.01 0.23 0.02
b. d.
x 1 3 5 7 9 x 4 8 12 14 16
P(x) 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 P(x) 0.36 0.21 0.10 0.09 0.24
5. A family of 4 children has the following probability distribution. What is the expected number of
boys in a group of 4 siblings?
Number of Boys X 0 1 2 3 5
Probability P(X) 1/15 3/15 7/15 3/15 1/15
a. 0.11 b. 0.15 c. 1 d. 2
For numbers 6-10, refer to the probability distribution below. A birthing home recorded the number of
live births that materialize in their birthing home in the past 2 years.
6. What is the probability that exactly 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.11 b. 0.15 c. 0.23 d. 0.25
7. What is the probability that less than 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.26 b. 0.38 c. 0.48 d. 0.36
8. What is the probability that more than 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.26 b. 0.51 c. 0.74 d. 0.89
9. What is the probability that at least 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.26 b. 0.51 c. 0.74 d. 0.89
10. What is the probability that at most 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.26 b. 0.49 c. 0.74 d. 0.87
1 2
2 3
2 4
1 1
Reference/s
Patricia B. Licuanan, Ph.D., (2016) Teaching Guide for Senior High School Statistics and Probability,
Published by the Commission on Higher Education, pages 4 - 7
Mercado, Jesus P., Orines, Fernando B.,(2016), Next Century Mathematics Statistics and Probability,
Quezon City, Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., pages 2 -18
Prepared by:
JUNEL L. VITO
Teacher III
Rosario National High School
Aloguinsan District
Reviewed by:
CLAVEL D. SALINAS
Senior High Division Coordinator
Division of Cebu Province
GUIDE
For the Teacher: Advise the students to read the reading and discussion portion before they attempt
to answer the practice exercises. Going through the parts sequentially will help them easily
understand the topic.
For the Learner: Read through the self-learning home task from the first part to the last part. Doing
so,
will help you understand better the topic.
For the Parent/Home Tutor: Assist your child and make sure that he/she reads the self-learning
home task from beginning to end to ensure proper understanding of the concept
Answer Key
Exercise 1
1. Continuous
2. Discrete
3. Discrete
4. Continuous
5. Discrete
Exercise 2
1. Not Valid. Sum exceeds 1.
1 3 1 1 3 23
∑ P ( x )= 10 + 10 + 5 + 4 + 10 = 20 or 1.15
2. Not Valid. Sum is less than 1.
∑ P ( x )=0.10+ 0.20+0.25+0.40+0.02=¿ ¿ 0.97
3. Valid
∑ P ( x )=0.05+ 0.25+ 0.34+0.28+ 0.08=¿ ¿ 1
4. Not Valid. Sum exceeds 1.
∑ P ( x )=0.08+ 0.25+0.34+ 0.31+ 0.04=¿ ¿ 1.02
5. Valid
∑ P ( x )=0.03+ 0.22+.25+ 0.40+0.10=¿ ¿ 1
Assessment
1. A
2. D
3. B
4. C
5. D
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. C
10. B
Suggested Enrichment/Reinforcement Activity/Ies
These probabilities are shown below:
3 3
1. P(1) = P(2) =
8 8
1 1
P(3) = P(4) =
8 8
2. The discrete probability distribution is presented in tabular form below:
x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 3 3 1 1
8 8 8 8
The first property 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1 is
met. Each of the probabilities is greater than 0 but less than 1.
The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
∑ P ( x )=P(1)+ P(2)+ P(3)+ P(4)
3 3 1 1
= + + +
8 8 8 8
=1