Laboratory Activity No.

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Discrete Probability Distributions

1. Objective(s):
 To use excel in computing discrete probabilities.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:

2.1 Demonstrate scientific thinking and the ability to approach scientific resources
intelligently;

2.2 Utilize Excel; and

2.3 Infer appropriate conclusions based upon the results of the activity.

3. Discussion:

Binomial Distribution

Suppose we have a statistical experiment consisting of n trials, where each trial can be classified
as a “success” or a “failure”. Let p be the probability of “success” for each trial; hence, 1 – p is
the probability of “failure” for each trial. Moreover, then trials are independent, and the
probability of success p is constant from trial to trial. Then, this experiment defines what we call
a binomial experiment, and the random variable X, which denotes the number of “success”
in n trials, has a binomial distribution.
If X is a binomial random variable with n trials, each of which has a probability of success p,
written as X ~ Bin(n, p), then the probability distribution function (pdf) of X is
P(X=x)= nCx∙px(1−p)n−x for x = 0, 1, 2, ..., n

Poisson Distribution

Suppose we have an experiment that consists of counting the number of times, X, an event occurs
in a given interval. The interval can be an interval of time, area, or volume. We will be interested
in the probability of the number of occurrences in any interval. If µ is the mean number of
occurrences per unit interval, then X is a Poisson random variable, written X ~ Po(µ), with
probability distribution function (pdf) given by

for x = 0, 1, 2, …

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 Excel Command in Computing Binomial Probabilities

The command BINOM.DIST returns probabilities according to the following syntax.

BINOM.DIST(number_s, trials, probability_s, cumulative)
where number_s denotes the number of successes in the n trials;
trials denote the number n of independent trials;
probability_s denotes the probability of success on each trial.
cumulative = TRUE when the probability that there are at most number_s successes
P(X ≤ x) is desired; and cumulative = FALSE when the probability that there are exactly number_s
successes P(X = x) is desired.
Example: If X is binomial with n = 10 and p = 0.4, then
P(X = 6) is computed using the command =BINOM.DIST(6,10, 0.4, FALSE) and
returns the value 0.111476736
P(X ≤ 6) is computed using the command =BINOM.DIST(6,10, 0.4, TRUE) and returns
the value 0.945238118.

 Excel Command in Computing Poisson Probabilities

The command POISSON.DIST returns probabilities according to the following syntax.

POISSON.DIST(x, mean, cumulative)
where x denotes the number of events;
mean denotes parameter mean µ;
cumulative = TRUE when the probability that there are at most x events P(X ≤ x) is desired;
and cumulative = FALSE when the probability that there are exactly x events P(X = x) is desired.
Example: If X is Poisson with mean µ = 7, then
P(X = 5) is computed using the command =POISSON.DIST(5, 7, FALSE) and returns
the value 0.127716668
P(X ≤ 5) is computed using the command =POISSON.DIST(5, 7, TRUE) and returns
the value 0.300708276.

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4. Resources:

Excel Software
Textbook: Heumann, Christian (2016). Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis United
States of America: Springer .

5. Procedure:

Encode the given data on the spreadsheet.

1. Answer the given questions.

Exercises
1. The number of pumps in use at both a six-pump station and a four-pump station will be
determined. Give the
possible values for each of the following random variables.
(a) T = the total number of pumps in use
- The summation of the six-pump station and a four-pump station are all positive numbers, that
ranges from 0-10 , therefore:

T = {0, 1 , 2 , 3 ,4 ,5 ,6 ,7 ,8 ,9, 10}

(b) D = the difference between the numbers in use at stations 1 and 2

- The difference ranges from Four (-4) pumps stations to a positive Six (+6) stations, therefore:

D = {-4, -3, -2 , -1, 0 , 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

(c) M = the maximum number of pumps in use at either station

- The maximum numbers of pumps in either of the station is 6 pumps, therefore:

M = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

(d) S = the number of stations having exactly two pumps in use

- There are two stations, therefore the highest could only be two, while simultaneously, it coud be
none, or one at all. Therefore:

S = {0, 1, 2}

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 2.A dice is tossed twice. Let X be the product of the two numbers. Find the probability
distribution function of X.

Values of Unique X is 6x6 = 36

For P(X=0) 6/36 or 0.1666…

For P(X=1) 10/36 or 0.2777…

For P(X=3) 8/36 of 0.2222…

For P(X=4 ) 6/36 or 0.1666…

For P(X=5) 4/36 or 0.1111…

For P(X=6) 2/36 or 0.0555…

With a total summation of 1 or 100%

3. Truck tires are tested over rough terrain. Trucks have a 25% chance of failing to complete the
test run without a blowout. If fifteen trucks go through the test, find the following:
(a) the probability that exactly five trucks have blowouts.
(b) the probability that at most five trucks have blowouts.
(c) the probability that more than two have blowouts.

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 4 An electronic product contains 40 integrated circuits. The probability that any integrated
circuit is defective is 0.01, and the integrated circuits are independent. The product operates
only if there are no defective integrated circuits. What is the probability that the product
operates?

=66.90%

5. The phone lines to an airline reservation system are occupied 40% of the time. Assume that the
events that the lines are occupied on successive calls are independent. Assume that 10 calls are
placed to the airline.
(a) What is the probability that for exactly three calls the lines are occupied?
(b) What is the probability that for at least one call the lines are not occupied?

6. The number of flaws in bolts of cloth in textile manufacturing is assumed to be Poisson

distributed with a mean of 0.1 flaw per square meter.
(a) What is the probability that there are two flaws in 1 square meter of cloth?
- λ=0.1, then

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(b) What is the probability that there is one flaw in 10 square meters of cloth?
λ=1 then

(c) What is the probability that there are no flaws in 20 square meters of cloth?
λ=2 then

(e) What is the probability that there are at least two flaws in 10 square meters of cloth?

λ=1 then

7. The number of surface flaws in plastic panels used in the interior of automobiles has a Poisson
distribution with a mean of 0.05 flaw per square foot of plastic panel. Assume an automobile
interior contains 10 square feet of plastic panel.
(a) What is the probability that there are no surface flaws in an auto’s interior?

λ=0.5 then

(b) If 10 cars are sold to a rental company, what is the probability that none of the 10 cars has any
surface flaws?

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(c) If 10 cars are sold to a rental company, what is the probability that at most three cars have any
surface flaws?

(d) If 10 cars are sold to a rental company, what is the probability that at least three cars have any
surface flaws?

8. A shipment of 10 boxes of meat contains 2 boxes of contaminated goods. An inspector

randomly selects 4 boxes. Let X be the number of boxes of contaminated meat among the selected
4 boxes.
(a) What is the probability that at least one of the four boxes is contaminated?

Use Hypergeometric Formula

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(b) How many boxes must be selected so that the probability of having at least one contaminated
box is larger than 75%?

At least 5 boxes.
9. The number of cracks in a section of an interprovincial highway that are significant enough to
require repair follows a Poisson distribution with an average of 2 cracks per mile.
(a) What is the probability that there are no cracks that require repair in 5 miles of highway?

λ = 2 x 5 = 10 then,

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(b) What is the probability that at least one crack requires repair in 1/2 mile of highway?

Λ = 2 x 0.5 = 1

10. Traffic engineers often use a Poisson distribution to model the flow of cars in light traffic.
Suppose that during the hour from 9:00am to 10:00am each weekday, an average of 5 cars pass
through a particular stop sign without making a complete stop. Between the time 9:20am to
9:40am, what is the probability that
(a) exactly 5 cars pass through without stopping?

(b) from 3 to 7 cars pass through without stopping?

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(c) at least 3 cars pass through without stopping?

Name: Jan Richarrt T. Bacasmot Lab Activity No.: 3

Program: Mechanical Engineer Section: CHE21S2

Date Performed: Septermber 24, 2024 Date Submitted: September 24, 2024
Instructor: Ms. Meriam Dela Cruz
6. Data and Results:

The data that has been gathered in this laboratory activity shows the different trials of an activity.
No. 1 Shows the Number of Pumps of Each stations, No. 2 is the Dice, with a total
summation of 1, Number 3 is the binomial probability of truck, Number 4 is the probability
that the product operates with 66.90%, No. 5 is the Assumed calls of Airlines. No 6 is the
number of flaws in bolts. No. 7 is the number of surface plastics, No. 8 is the Number of boxes
contaminated. No.9 is the number of cracks in a section, and lastly, 10 is the supposed model
flow of cars in a light traffic.

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7. Conclusion:

I have learned the importance to use the Binomial Probability Distribution and Poisson’s
Distribution Probability. In essence, the binomial distribution is vital for situations with a set
number of independent trials resulting in two possible outcomes, whereas the Poisson distribution
is important for modeling the frequency of events occurring over a continuous range. Both
distributions are essential tools for statisticians and researchers, aiding in data analysis and
informed decision-making.

8. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT

CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3
I. Laboratory Skills

Manipulative Members do not demonstrate Members occasionally Members always

Skills needed skills. demonstrate needed skills. demonstrate needed skills.

Members are able to set-up Members are able to set-up

Experimental Members are unable to set- the material with minimum
the materials with
Set-up up the materials. supervision.
supervision.
Members occasionally Members always
Members do not demonstrate
Process Skills demonstrate targeted process demonstrate targeted process
targeted process skills.
skills. skills.

Safety Members do not follow Members follow safety Members follow safety
Precautions safety precautions. precautions most of the time. precautions at all times.
II. Work Habits
Time Members finish ahead of
Members do not finish on Members finish on time with
Management / time with complete data and
time with incomplete data. incomplete data.
Conduct of time to revise data.

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Experiment
Members do not know their Members have defined Members are on tasks and
tasks and have no defined responsibilities most of the have defined responsibilities
Cooperative and
responsibilities. Group time. Group conflicts are at all times. Group conflicts
Teamwork
conflicts have to be settledcooperatively managed most are cooperatively managed at
by the teacher. of the time. all times.
Clean and orderly workplace Clean and orderly workplace
Neatness and Messy workplace during and
with occasional mess during at all times during and after
Orderliness after the experiment.
and after the experiment. the experiment.
Ability to do
Members require supervision Members require occasional Members do not need to be
independent
by the teacher. supervision by the teacher. supervised by the teacher.
work
Other Comments / Observations:
TOTAL SCORE

Rating =
(Total Score / 24) x 50 +
50%

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