Statistics & Probability

Quarter 3 – Module 3:
Mean and Variance
of a Discrete Random Variable
Statistics & Probability – Senior High School
Quarter 3 – Module 3: Mean and Variance of a Discrete Random Variable
First Edition, 2020

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Statistics & Probability
Quarter 3 – Module 3:
Mean and Variance
of a Discrete Random Variable
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use
this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning at home. Furthermore, you are
expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included
in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different activities
in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be reminded
of the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any
part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module,
do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind
that you are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will
experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant
competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn
In the previous lessons, to calculate the mean, variance and standard
deviation of a sample or a population, we use the following formulas:

x  x     x   
2 2

Mean  Variance  Standard Deviation 

N N N

However, these formulas cannot be used in random variable

probability distribution since 𝑁 is infinite, therefore, these three measures
must be computed differently.

Suppose, you are an honor student and it is card-giving day, after

knowing your grades, you feel happy and satisfied with what you have
achieved. Even so, you can’t help asking yourself with these questions: How
does my grade fare with others? How does it compare with the rest of my
classmates? Did I belong to the underperforming group or the performing
group? Mean and variance can help you answer these questions.

This module will help you better understand the use of means and
variance of a discrete random variable. Specifically, this module is designed
with the following learning competencies:

 Calculate the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable

(M11/12SP-IIIb-2);

 Interpret the means and variance of a discrete random variable

(M11/12SP-IIIb-3); and

 Solve problems involving mean and variance of probability

distributions (M11/12SP-IIIb-4).

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 Let Us Try
Are you ready to learn new things on how to calculate and interpret
the mean and variance of a discrete random variable? Before we start, let’s
check first your knowledge about our topic by doing the next activity.

Multiple Choice. Read each statement carefully. Choose the letter that
corresponds to the correct answer and write it on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. It is called the expected value of a discrete random variable.

A. Mean C. Variance
B. Probability D. Variable

2. It refers to the measure of how spread the data are from the mean.
A. Mean C. Variance
B. Probability D. Variable

3. If the variance of a data is 3.4624, what is the standard deviation?

A. 11.99 C. 1.86
B. 6.92 D. 3.4624

For numbers 4-5, refer to the table.

A survey is conducted to determine the students’ frequency of
studying in a week. The probability distribution is given below.

Number of hours in a day Probability

(𝑥) 𝑃(𝑥)
0 .25
1 .35
2 .16
3 .14
4 .10

4. What is the expected value?

A. 1.64 C. 1.39
B. 1.74 D. 1.49

5. What is the standard deviation of the probability distribution above?

A. 1.28 C. 1.18
B. 1.6299 D.1.7299
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 Let Us Study

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/JXcuEMmhi5oURo5Z8

Social media has impacted students’ academic performance

nowadays. It could have a negative or positive effect depending on how you
manage to incorporate it with your academics. Suppose your team is
conducting a research proposal about academic performance. Part of the
study is the frequency a student posts or updates his/her social media
account in a week. The probability distribution is described in Table 1
below.

Table 1 Probability Distribution of the Frequency of Posting

on Social Media in a Week

Frequency of posting on
Probability
social media in a week
𝑃(𝑥)
(𝑥)
0 .10
1 .13
2 .28
3 .20
4 .18
5 .11

What is the mean, the variance, and the standard deviation of the
given data? What do these data tell you? Now let’s start with the mean.

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 The mean of a random variable 𝑥 with discrete probability
distribution is denoted by .

It is obtained by multiplying the value of the random variable x by

its probability distribution 𝑃(𝑥) and adding all the results. That is

𝜇𝑥 = 𝑥1 • 𝑃(𝑥1 ) + 𝑥2 • 𝑃(𝑥2 ) + 𝑥3 • 𝑃(𝑥3 ) + ⋯ + 𝑥𝑛 • 𝑃(𝑥𝑛 )

= ෍ 𝑥 • 𝑃(𝑥)

Given the data, the mean will be solved using the formula.
Table 2 Calculating the Mean of the Frequency of Posting
on Social Media in a Week

Frequency of posting on
Probability
social media in a week 𝑥 • 𝑃(𝑥)
𝑃(𝑥)
(𝑥)
0 .10 0
1 .13 .13
2 .28 .56
3 .20 .60
4 .18 .72
5 .11 .55
∑ 𝑥 • 𝑃(𝑥) = 2.56

Thus, the mean of the frequency of posting on social media is 2.56 per
week. Note that there is no 2.56 number of posts, it is called a theoretical
average. This means that students post an update in their social media for
about 2 to 3 times a week.

Mean represents the measure of central location of a probability

distribution. It serves as a parameter of a given data as it provides an idea
on how we expect a certain random variable 𝑥 behaves in the future.

Moreover, the mean of the random variable 𝑥 is also called expected

value.

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 The expected value of a random variable 𝑥 with discrete
probability distribution is denoted by 𝐸(𝑥).

This is also known as the theoretical mean of a random variable.

𝜇𝑥 = 𝐸(𝑥) = ෍ 𝑥 • 𝑃(𝑥)

Are you still feeling good? Let’s now learn the variance of a random
variable 𝑥 with discrete probability distribution. I know you can do this!

The variance of a discrete random variable 𝑥 is denoted by 𝜎𝑥 2 .

It is obtained by
𝜎𝑥 2 = ∑ሾ𝑥 2 • P(𝑥)ሿ − 𝜇2

Variance is a measure of how spread the data are from the mean.
The standard deviation can be obtained by getting the square root of
the variance.
𝜎𝑥 = ඥ𝜎𝑥 2 or 𝜎𝑥 = ඥ∑ሾ𝑥 2 • P(𝑥)ሿ − 𝜇2

Here are the steps in solving the variance of a discrete random

variable:
1. Square each variable 𝑥 and multiply the result by its corresponding
probability.
2. Add all the products.
3. Subtract the square of the mean.
Using the same table, the variance can be calculated with the given
steps as shown below.

Table 3 Calculating the Variance of the Frequency

of Posting on Social Media in a Week

Frequency of
posting on social Probability
media in a week 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥2 𝑥 2 • 𝑃(𝑥)
(𝑥)

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 0 .10 0 0
1 .13 1 .13
2 .28 4 1.12
3 .20 9 1.8
4 .18 16 2.88
5 .11 25 2.75
∑𝑥 2 • 𝑃(𝑥) = 8.68

Recall that the mean is 2.56. Using the formula, we have

𝜎𝑥 2 = ෍ሾ𝑥 2 • P(𝑥)ሿ − 𝜇2

= 8.68 − (2.56)2
= 2.1264
Thus, the variance of the data is 2.1264 and the standard deviation is
𝜎𝑥 = ඥ𝜎𝑥 2
= √2.1264
= 1.46

For consistency with the mean, the standard deviation is rounded off
to two decimal places while the variance is rounded to four decimal
places to minimize rounding errors.

Remember, standard deviation is more concrete between the two

measures since it has the same degree as the variable 𝑥 . For example, if the
variable x is in kg, then the variance will be in kg2 while the standard
deviation is still in kg.

There is no direct implication as to what variance or standard

deviation represents. But a comparative interpretation can be attributed to
their values.

Small variance (or standard deviation) implies that the data tend to
be close to the mean whereas large variance indicates that the data points
tend to be spread out from the mean.

Variance cannot be negative as it deals with average distance of data

from the mean as well as it is the sum of a squared value.

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 Let Us Practice
Try to solve the following problems to check your understanding of the
lesson.
A. In your two sets of Statistics tests, find the mean of the number of tests
that will be passed.

Number of passed test Probability

(𝑥) 𝑃(𝑥)
0 .25
1 .5
2 .25

1. Find the mean.

2. Find the variance.

3. Find the standard deviation.

B. A triathlete maintains his good condition by frequently exercising. Below

is a sample list of the number of times a triathlete exercises in a week.

Number of times of exercise Probability

(𝑥) 𝑃(𝑥)
0 .10
1 .15
2 .18
3 .29
4 .28

1. What is the sum of all the probabilities?

2. Find the expected value of the given data.

3. Interpret the mean.

4. Find the variance.

5. Find the standard deviation.

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 Let Us Practice More
Calculating the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable
requires lots of steps to be followed. Thus, constant practice in solving these
types of problem is necessary to familiarize the process and avoid errors in
the long run. Keep moving!

Problem: The months of July to October are considered rainy season in the
Philippines as multiple weather disturbances are always
experienced within this span. A sample data of a weather
disturbance within this season is given. The probability
distribution is presented in the table.

Number of weather
disturbance in a month Probability
𝑃(𝑥)
(𝑥)
0 .12
1 .20
2 .33
3 .25
4 .10

1. What number of weather disturbance has the highest probability?

2. Find the mean of the given data.

3. Interpret the mean.

4. Find the variance.

5. Find the standard deviation.

Let Us Remember
The mean and the variance of a discrete random variable are different
from a sample or a population. Some considerations must be met first in
order to proceed with the calculations. Furthermore, the following questions
will be your guide in properly solving problems involving the mean and
variance of a random variable with discrete probability distribution.

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1. What data are needed to calculate the expected mean?

___________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the formula for the mean of discrete random variable?

___________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the formula in getting the variance of a discrete random variable?

___________________________________________________________________________

4. What does the value of variance indicate?

___________________________________________________________________________

Let Us Assess
Now, let’s check your understanding about the topic.
Multiple Choice. Read each statement carefully. Choose the letter that
corresponds to the correct answer and write it on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following statements is true about variance?

A. A small variance indicates that the data points tend to be spread

out from the mean.
B. A small variance indicates that the data points tend to be close to
the mean.
C. Variance is always greater than the mean.
D. Variance is the average of a probability distribution.

2. Which of the following is the formula for the mean of a discrete random
variable?

A. 𝜇𝑥 = ∑ 𝑥 2 • 𝑝(𝑥 2 ) C. 𝜇𝑥 = ∑ 𝑥 • 𝑝(𝑥)
B. 𝜇𝑥 = ∑ 𝑥 + 𝑝(𝑥) D. 𝜇𝑥 = ∑ 𝑝(𝑥)

3. Which of the following is TRUE about the standard deviation?

A. If the variance is less than 1, the standard deviation is always less

than the variance.
B. If the variance is greater than 1, the standard deviation is always
less than the variance.

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 C. If the variance is less than 1, the standard deviation is always
equal to the variance.
D. If the variance is greater than 1, the standard deviation is always
more than the variance.

4. Which of the following is the formula for the standard deviation of a

discrete random variable?

∑(𝑥−𝜇)2
A. 𝜎𝑥 = √
𝑁

B. 𝜎𝑥 2 = ∑ሾ𝑥 2 • P(𝑥)ሿ − 𝜇2
∑(𝑥−𝜇)2
C. 𝜎𝑥 =
𝑁

D. 𝜎𝑥 = ඥ∑ሾ𝑥 2 • P(𝑥)ሿ − 𝜇2

For questions 5–7, refer to the situation given below.

The table shows the mean and variance of the probability distribution
in the monthly sales of four different colors of cars.

Color of
Mean Variance
Cars
White 1.98 3.06
Black 1.55 2.98
Blue 1.87 2.55
Red 1.60 3.10

5. Which of the following color will likely to be sold more in the future?

A. white C. blue
B. black D. red

6. Which color of the cars has the most spread data?

A. white C. blue
B. black D. red

7. What is the standard deviation for the colors with the least monthly
sales?

A. 1.75 C. 1.60
B. 1.73 D. 1.76

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For questions 8–10, refer to the situation below.
In the previous example, your team determined the number of social
media updates of students in a week. In connection, your team conducted
another survey; this time, it is focused on the number of times students
study in a week.

Number of times students

Probability
study in a week
𝑃(𝑥)
(𝑥)
0 0.05
1 0.13
2 0.12
3 0.26
4 0.44

8. What is the mean of the given data?

A. 2.61 C. 2.91
B. 2.19 D. 2.16

9. What does the mean imply?

A. Students study their lessons less than twice a week.

B. Students study their lessons more than three times a week.
C. Students study their lessons two to three times a week.
D. Students study their lessons less than five times a week.

10. What is the standard deviation?

A. 1.23 C. 2.13
B. 2.3152 D. 1. 5219

Let Us Enhance
A. The government officials survey different barangays about the number of
families living under one household. The purpose of this is to determine
the number of families that will be given financial aid in certain places.
The probability distribution is as follows.

Number of additional
Probability
family in a household
(𝑥) 𝑃(𝑥)

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 0 .34
1 .26
2 .22
3 .18

1. Find the mean.

2. Interpret the mean.
3. Find the variance.
4. Find the standard deviation.

B. Your team is planning to add a 5 – item multiple choice questions about

social media to enhance your research. Complete the table with your desired
probability based on your projection.

Number of correct responses Probability

(𝑥) 𝑃(𝑥)
0
1
2
3
4
5

1. Find the mean.

2. Interpret the mean.
3. Find the variance.
4. Find the standard deviation.

Let Us Reflect

Decisions need to be reflected with a clear mind and a proper

information. Predictions over a random phenomenon in life may be vague,
but with proper details, assumptions and process, one would be able to
understand its existence and value.

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 13
Let Us Enhance Let Us Assess Let Us Remember
A. 1. B 4. The value of the random
1. 1.24 variable 𝑥 and its
2. C
2. There is an average corresponding probability.
of 1 to 2 members 3. B
of family in every 4. D
5. 𝜇𝑥 = ∑ 𝑥 • 𝑝(𝑥)
household. 5. A 6. 𝜎𝑥 2 = ∑ሾ𝑥 2 • P(𝑥)ሿ − 𝜇2
3. 1.2224
6. D 7. The variance indicates the
4. 1.11
spread of data from the
7. B
B. Answers may vary.
mean.
8. C
9. C
10. A
Let Us Practice More Let Us Practice Let Us Try
1. 2 A. 1. A
2. 2.01 1. 1
2. C
3. There is an average of 2. 0.5
3. 0.71 3. C
2 weather disturbances
4. D
per month during rainy B.
season. 1. 1 5. A
4. 1.3299 2. 2.5
5. 1.15 3. A triathlete exercise twice or
thrice a week.
4. 1.71
5. 1.31
Answer Key
 References

Allan G. Bluman, Elementary Statistics: A Step by Step Approach, Eight

Edition New York: McGraw Hill, 2012, 259-269.

https://images.app.goo.gl/JXcuEMmhi5oURo5Z8

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F. Torres St., Davao City

Telefax: (082) 291-1665, (082) 221-6147

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