Self-Learning Module for Grade 11

Mathematics
Statistics and Probability

CHAPTER I: RANDOM VARIABLES AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE (Discrete and Continuous)

Introduction
In the study of basic probability, you have learned that an experiment is any activity which
can be done repeatedly under similar condition. The set of all possible outcomes of an experiment
is called the sample space. You have also learned how to mathematically list the possible outcome
of a given experiment. In tossing a coin, for instance, the possible outcomes are turning up a head
or a tail.

This module will help you understand the process of illustrating random variables as well as
distinguishing between discrete and continuous random variables. God bless and enjoy learning.

Competency

1. Illustrate random variable (Discrete or Continuous).

(M 11/12 SP IIIa – 1)
2. Distinguish between a discrete and a continuous random variable.
(M11/12 SP IIIa – 2)
Objective

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Illustrate random variable; and
2. Classify random variables as discrete or continuous.

Procedure/Learning Experience

Activity

Complete the following table. The first one is done for you.
Experiment Number X Possible Value of X
Two cards are drawn Sum of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
from a deck. on the cards 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Roll a pair of dice Sum of the number of
dots on the top faces
Toss a pair of coin Number of tosses until
repeatedly the coin lands head
Height of individuals Height of your father
 Analysis
•

This time, you need to reflect on the following questions because it will help you to
understand the appropriate way on illustrating and classifying a random variable. Answer
the following questions:
1. How do you find the activity/?

2. Where you able to complete the table? If yes, how? If no, why?

3. If a random variable takes on values on continuous scale it is continuous random

variable but if a random variable takes on outcomes that are countable then it is
discrete random variable. Now, Will you be able to classify those experiment as
discrete or continuous? If yes, how? If no, why?

4. In your own words how will you differentiate between discrete and continuous random
variables?

Abstraction

A Random Variable is a numerical quantity that is derived from the outcomes of

random experiments.
There are two types of random variables, the discrete and continuous random
variables

Types of Random Variables

Discrete Continuous

A Discrete variable A Continuous variable

A numerical value associated with desired Has infinite numerical values associated
outcomes. It is also either a finite or infinite with any interval on the number line
number of values but countable such as system without any gaps or breaks.
whole numbers 0,1,2,3

For example: For example:

- The number of daily - Height
admissions in a hospital - Weight
- The number of male athletes - Skull Circumference

Table 1. Examples of Random Variables

Experiment Number X Possible Values of X
1. Flip a pair of Number of heads in 4 flips of a coin
0, 1, 2, 3, 4
coin
 2. Flip a pair of coin Number of tosses until the coin
1, 2, 3, 4, …
repeatedly lands tails
3. Set of Integers Integers from 2 to 6 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
4. Set of real
Real numbers from 2 to 6 2<x<6
numbers

From the example in the table above, Examples 1, 2, and 3 are all discrete while example
4 is continuous.

LESSON 2: Possible Values of Random Variable

Introduction
We first learned about the notion of variables in the introduction of Algebra, and we
know from our Algebra lessons that a variable is a placeholder for real number values that
can be assigned to it. Some examples of variables includes X = number of heads or Y =
number of cell phones or Z = running time to movies.
If three coins are tossed, what numbers can be assigned for the frequency of heads
that will occur? If three cards are drawn from a deck, what number can be assigned for the
frequency of face cards that will occur? These questions may be answered using random
variables which you will learn in this module.

Competency

1. Find the possible values of a random variable. (M11SP IIIa – 3)

Objective

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. find the possible values of a random variables.

Abstraction

A Random Variable is a numerical quantity that is derived from the outcomes of

random experiments.
The random variable in the activity above is a discrete random variable because the
set of possible outcomes is countable. The possible values of random variable X are 0, 1, 2,
and 3.
Example 1. Suppose three coins are tossed. Let Y be the random variable representing the
number of tails that occur. Find the values of the random variable Y.
Steps Solution
1. Determine the The sample space for this experiment is:
sample space. Let S = {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT,
H represent head HHT, HTH, THH, HHH}
and T represent tail.
 2. Count the number of Possible Value of the Random
tails in each outcome Outcomes variable Y (Number of
in the sample space tails)
and assign this TTT 3
number to this TTH 2
outcome. THT 2
HTT 2
HHT 1
HTH 1
THH 1
HHH 0
So, the possible values of the random variable Y are 0, 1, 2, and 3.
Example 2.
Two balls are drawn in succession without replacement from a box containing 5 red balls
and 6 blue balls. Let Z be the random variable representing the number of blue balls. Find
the values of the random variable Z.
Steps Solution
1. Determine the The sample space for this
sample space. Let experiment is:
B represent the blue S = {RR, RB, BR, BB}
ball and R represent
the red ball.
2. Count the number of Possible Value of the
blue balls in each Outcomes Random
outcome in the sample variable Z
space and assign this (Number of
number to this blue balls)
outcome. RR 0
RB 1
BR 1
BB 2
So, the possible values of the random variable Z are 0, 1 and 2.

Application

This time, it’s your turn to shine. Answer the problem below.
The households of a local community were surveyed about the number of occupants
who are working. It was found out that 25 households have one occupant working, 18 have
two occupants working, 12 have three occupants working, and 5 have four occupants
working. Let X be the number of occupants working from a randomly selected household.
What are the possible values for the random variable?
 Reflection

This time, it’s your turn to shine. Answer the following as directed.
1. How do you find the values of a random variables?
2. How is this variable, as described in Algebra, similar to a random
variable? How do they differ?

LESSON 3: Constructing Probability Distribution

Introduction
You have learned that the likelihood of winning in a lotto draw, number of winnings in
a gamble, number of heads that comes out in a toss of a coin and other game of chance can
be estimated using probability. But do you know that it is not only for game of chance? We
also use this in business, economics, and engineering and other real-life situations.
In this self -learning module, the concept of probability distribution for a discrete
random variable will be introduced. Some decisions are made by assigning probabilities to
all possible outcomes pertaining to the situation. When we draw conclusion from data, we
usually state them in terms of probabilities.

Competency

1. Illustrates a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its

properties. (M11/12SP-IIIa-4)
2. Constructs the probability mass function of a discrete random variable and its
corresponding histogram. (M11/12SP-IIIa-5)
3. Computes probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.
(M11/12SP-IIIa-6)

Objective

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. find the value of the random variable that represents in the given problem.
2. construct a probability distribution and its corresponding histogram for the random
variables described in the situation.
3. determine whether the distribution represents a probability distribution.

Procedure/Learning Experience

Abstraction

A random variable is a set whose elements are the numbers assigned to the outcomes
of an experiment. It is usually denoted by uppercase letters such as X, whose elements
are denoted by lower case letters x1, x2, x3 and so on.
 Probability distribution of a discrete random variable specifies the probability of each
possible value of the random variable. The distribution functions of discrete random
variables are concentrated as a mass for a particular value, and generally known as
Probability Mass Function.

Properties of discrete probability distribution

1. The probability of each value of the random variable must be
between or equal to 0 and 1. In symbol 0 < P(X) < 1.

2. The sum of all the probabilities of all values of the random variable
must be equal to 1. In symbol, we write it as ΣP(X) = 1

Probability Histogram

We can represent a probability distribution graphically by constructing a type of bar

graph called a probability histogram. This is constructed by displaying the possible
distinct values of the random variable along a horizontal axis. Above each value x of the
random variable, we draw vertical bar having height equal to the probability P(x).

Ex. 1. Number of Green Balls

Write the probability distribution of a random variable Y representing the number of
green balls when 2 balls are drawn in succession without replacement from a jar containing
4 red and 5 green balls. Construct a histogram for this probability distribution.
Steps Solution
a.Determine the sample space. Let R The sample space for this
represent the red ball and G represent experiment is:
the green ball. S= { RR, RG, GR, GG}
b.Count the number of green balls in Possible Value of the
each outcome in the sample space and Outcomes Random Variable Y
assign this number to this outcome. (No. Of Green
Balls)
RR 0
RG 1
GR 1
GG 2
c.Assign probability values P(Y) to each Number of Probability P(Y)
value of the random variable. Green Balls Y
-There are 4 possible outcomes, if no
green ball occurs once, the probability
that we shall assign to the random 0 1/4
variable 0 is ¼
-If 1 green ball occurs two times, the
probability that we shall assign to the 1 2/4 or ½
random variable 1 is 2/4 or ½.
-If 2 green balls occur once, the
probability that we shall assign to the 2 ¼
random variable 1 is ¼.

Histogram
Construct a histogram for this probability distribution. A histogram is a bar graph. To
construct a histogram for a probability distribution, follow these steps.
Plot the values of the random variable along the horizontal axis.
 a) In plotting the probabilities along the vertical axis, you can change fractions to
decimals (ex. ¼=0.25 and ½= 0.5)

0.6

0.5

0.4

P(Y)
0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 1 2
No. of Green Balls (Y)

Ex. 2.Write the probability mass function of the random variable X defined by the outcomes
of rolling a fair die and construct its corresponding histogram.

a) Since a die is fair, each of the 6 outcomes has a probability 1/6 or approximately 0.17,
thus, the probability mass function is:
X 1 2 3 4 5 6
P(X) 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6
b) Histogram

0.18
0.16
0.14

0.12
0.10
P(X)

0.08
0.06
0.04

0.02

0.00
1 2 3 4 5 6

Ex. 3.Let X be a random variable giving the number of girls in a randomly selected three-
child family. Assuming that boys and girls are equally likely, construct the probability
distribution of X and its corresponding histogram.
 a) Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable X
(No. of Girls)
BBB 0
BBG 1
BGB 1
GBB 1
BGG 2
GBG 2
GGB 2
GGG 3
b)
No. of Girls 0 1 2 3
Probability P(X) 1/8 or 0.125 3/8 or 0.375 3/8 or 0.375 1/8 or 0.125
ΣP(X)= 1/8 +3/8
+ 3/8 + 1/8 = 8/8 =1
c) Histogram
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
P(X)

0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0 1 2 3
No. of Girls (X)

4. X 1 5 7 8 9
P(X) 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3 1/3
Σ P(X)= 1/3 + 1/3 +1/3 +1/3 +1/3=5/3
This is not a probability distribution because ΣP(X) ≠ 1

X 1 3 5 7
5. P(X) 0.35 0.25 0.28 0.12
Σ P(X)= 0.35 + 0.25 + 0.28 + 0.12 =1
This is a probability distribution because ΣP(X) = 1
 Reflection

Look back and reflect on what you have done, then answer the following questions.
1. Why should the sum of the probabilities in a probability distribution always equal to 1?
2. What is the shape of most probability distributions? Why do you think so?

LESSON 4: Illustrating and Calculating Mean and Variance of Discrete

Random Variable
Introduction

If you took an examination, do you sometimes think of where would be your score lie?
Would it be below or above the average score? Afterwards, you would like also to know how
far you are from the average score. Finally, you would ask yourself what is the meaning of
those locations from the center or mean of the probability distribution? If your interest caught
by these questions, this learning module is design for you.
In this module, you will understand the process on how to illustrate the mean and
variance of a discrete random variable. Similarly, calculating the mean and the variance of
a discrete random variable will be discussed. You may find this module as piece of good
fortune in acquiring brand new learning.

Competency

1. illustrates the mean and variance of a discrete Random variable

(M11/12SP-IIIb-1)
2. calculates the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable
(M11/12SP-IIIb-2)

Objective

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. learn concepts of mean and variance of discrete random variable

2. solve for the mean and variance of discrete random variable
3. interpret the values obtained.

Procedure/Learning Experience

Activity

Illustrating and Calculating the Mean and Variance

of Discrete Random Variable
Read and analyze the situation given below:
Mr. Cresente Umali, a Mathematics teacher, regularly gives a formative
assessment composed 5 multiple choice items. After the assessment, he used to
 check the probability distribution of the correct responses and the data is
presented below:
Test Item Probability ,

𝑋 𝑝(𝑋)
0 0.03
1 0.05
2 0.12
3 0.30
4 0.28
5 0.22

Based on the data above, observe, analyze and answer the following questions:
1. Is the probability of x lies between 0 and 1?
2. What is the sum of all probabilities of x?
3. Is there a negative probability? Is it possible to have a negative
probability?
4. What is the average or mean of the probabilities of discrete random
variable?
5. What are the variance and the standard deviation of the probability distribution from
the data above?

Analysis
•
This time, you need to reflect on the following questions because it will help you to
understand the appropriate way on illustrating and calculating the mean, variance and
standard deviation of a discrete random variable. Answer the following questions:
1. How did you find the given activity?
2. Were you able to get the correct answer for each question? If yes, Very Good! If not,
which question/s you find difficult?
3. What mathematical skills help you to answer all 5 questions?
4. Do you think the concepts that you will acquire in this module would be helpful to
solve real-life problems?
5.
Abstraction

The Expected or mean value of a discrete random variable x, denoted by x, is

computed by first multiplying each possible x value by the probability of observing that value
and then adding the resulting quantities. Symbolically, 𝐸(𝑥) = ∑ 𝑥𝑃(𝑥).
Using the given data, multiply each x value by its probability and add the results to
get 𝜇x.
 Test Item, Probability ,
𝑥 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)
𝑥 𝑃(𝑋)
0 0.03 0
1 0.05 0.05
2 0.12 0.24
3 0.30 0.90
4 0.28 1.12
5 0.22 1.10

𝑬(𝒙) = 𝝁𝒙 = ∑ 𝒙 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟑. 𝟒𝟏
So, it indicates that the expected value or mean of the random variable is 3.41.
For question 5, you will need to understand the process on computing the variance
and the standard deviation of the discrete random variable. In order to compute those,
always remember this;

The Variance of a Discrete Random Variable X, denoted by 𝝈𝟐𝒙 is computed by

first subtracting the mean from each possible x value to obtain the deviations, then squaring
each deviation and multiplying the result by the probability of the corresponding x value, and
then finally adding these quantities. In symbol,

The Standard Deviation of x, denoted by 𝝈𝒙 , is the square root of the Variance. In

symbol,
From the data generated.

Test Item, 𝑥 Probability 𝑃(𝑋) 𝑥 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) 𝑥 − 𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)

0 0.03 0 -3.41 11.6281 0.3488

1 0.05 0.05 -2.41 5.8081 0.2904
2 0.12 0.24 -1.41 1.9881 0.2386
3 0.30 0.90 -0.41 0.1681 0.0504
4 0.28 1.12 0.59 0.3481 0.0975
5 0.22 1.10 1.59 2.5281 0.5562

𝝁𝒙 = ∑ 𝒙 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟑. 𝟒𝟏 ∑(𝒙 − 𝝁)𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟖𝟏𝟗

The Variance is 1.5819, and

 The Standard Deviation is √𝟏. 𝟓𝟖𝟏𝟗 , and it is equivalent to 𝝈 = 1.26
Therefore, the correct answers for question 5 are 1.5819 and 1.26 respectively.
For uniformity of the answers, expected value or mean and standard deviation are
both expressed into two decimal places while variance is up to four decimal places to
lessen rounding error.
Let us take this example,
Suppose that a coin is tossed twice so that the sample space is S = {𝐻𝐻, 𝑇𝐻, 𝐻𝑇, 𝑇𝑇}.
Let X represents the “number of heads that can come up”, Based on the prepared discrete
probability distributions of the random variable X.
Outcome or Sample Point HH HT TH TT
X 2 1 1 0
Illustrate and calculate the mean, variance and standard deviation.

Applying the concepts from the activity given above, let us complete the table below.

𝑥 𝑃(𝑋) 𝑥 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) 𝑥 − 𝜇 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2 (𝑥 − 𝜇)2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)

0 ¼ or 0.25 0 -1 1 0.25
1 ½ or 0.5 0.5 0 0 0
2 ¼ or 0.25 0.5 1 1 0.25
𝝁𝒙 = ∑ 𝒙 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟏 ∑(𝒙 − 𝝁)𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎

The expected value or mean is 1.

The Variance is 0.50, and
The Standard Deviation is √𝟎. 𝟓0, and it is equivalent to 𝝈 = 0.71.

We have seen that the Expected value E(x) is just the average or mean (µ) of random
variable x. It’s sometimes called a “weighted average” because more frequent values of X
are weighted more highly in the average. It’s also how we expect X to behave on-average
over the long run. The mean of a random variable X is a measure of the central location of
the distribution of X. If we are summarizing features of the distribution of X, it is clear that
location is not the only relevant feature. The second most vital feature is the spread of the
distribution.
If values of X is closer to its mean, μX are very likely and values further away from μX
have very small probability, then the distribution of X will be closely concentrated around μX.
In this case, the spread of the distribution of X is small. On the other hand, if values of X take
some distance from its mean μX are likely, the spread of the distribution of X will be large.
 These ideas head to the most significant measure of spread, the variance, and a
closely related measure, the standard deviation.

You, as a student have met the concepts of variance and standard deviation when
summarizing data. These were the sample variance and the sample standard deviation. The
difference here is that we are referring to properties of the distribution of a discrete random
variable.

Again, the variance of a discrete random variable X is defined by

where the sum is taken over all values of x for which P(x) > 0 but less than 1. So, the variance
of X is the weighted average of the squared deviations from the mean μ, where the weights
are given by the probability function P(x) of X.

The standard deviation of X is defined to be the square root of the variance of X. That
is,

Because of this definition, the variance of X is often denoted by σ2 x.

In another way around, the standard deviation is the more tangible of the two
measures, since it is in the same units as X. For example, if X is a random variable
measuring lengths in ft, then the standard deviation is in feet (ft), while the variance is in
square ft (ft2).

Unlike the mean, there is no simple direct interpretation of the variance or standard
deviation. The variance is parallel to the moment of inertia in physics, but that is not
necessarily widely understood by students. What is important to understand is that, in
relative terms:
➢ a small standard deviation (or variance) means that the distribution of the random
variable is concentrated narrowly around the mean
➢ a large standard deviation (or variance) means that the distribution is spread out, with
some chance of observing values at some distance from the mean.
Remember that the variance cannot be negative, because it is an average of squared
quantities. This is appropriate, as a negative spread for a distribution does not make sense.
Hence, variance is greater than 0 and standard deviation also greater than 0 always.

Reflection

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take
our breath away and by the chances we bravely face.