Illustrating a Random Variable (Discrete and Continuous)
Distinguishing Between a Discrete and a Continuous Random Variable
Finding Possible Values of a Random Variable
1 After going through this module, you are expected to: 1. illustrates a random variable (discrete and continuous). M11/12SP-IIIa-1 2. distinguishes between a discrete and a continuous random variable. M11/12SP-IIIa-2 3. finds the possible values of a random variable. M11/12SP-IIIa-3 4. illustrates a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties. M11/12SP-IIIa-4
LESSON 1 - Illustrating a Random Variable (Discrete and Continuous)
WHAT’S IN In the study of basic probability, you have discovered that an experiment is any movement that should be possible more than once under comparative condition. The arrangement of every possible outcomes of an experiment is what we called a sample space. You have additionally figured out how to mathematically list down the conceivable outcome of a given experiment. In tossing a coin, for example, the potential results are turning up a head or a tail. For you to begin let us all understand that probability distributions can be illustrated or classified as discrete probability distributions or as continuous probability distributions, depending on whether they define probabilities associated with discrete variables and continuous variables. A variable X whose value depends on the outcome of a random process is called a random variable. A random variable is a variable whose value is a numerical outcome of a random phenomenon. A random variable is denoted with a capital letter. The probability distribution of a random variable X tells what the possible values of X are and how probabilities are assigned to those values. A random variable can be discrete or continuous
WHAT’S NEW Tossing a coin As you can see in one- peso coin, it has Dr. Jose P. Rizal on one side, which we will call it as Head (H), and the other side is the Tail (T). Toss your one-peso coin three times and record in your notebook the results of the three tosses. In order to write the result easily, use letter H for the heads and letter T for the tails. If the results of your three tosses are heads, tails, heads, then you will write HTH on your notebook.
Example 1: How many heads when we toss 3 coins?
Continue tossing your coin and record the time. If possible, use mobile phone timer and record up to the last minutes. Let say in a minute, how many times the heads and tails appeared. Then, record all the possible answers on your notebook. Write all eight possible outcomes. You can do this systematically so that you do not get confused later on. In this instance, there might be 0 heads, 1 Head, 2 Heads or 3 Heads. Thus, the sample space is equal to 0, 1, 2, 3 Then this time the results or outcomes are NOT entirely equally likely. The three coins land in eight possible ways: X = Number of Heads
2 Looking at the table we see just 1 case of Three Head, but 3 cases of Two Heads, 3 cases of One Head, and 1 case of Zero Heads. So: P(X=3) = 1/8 P(X=2) = 3/8 P(X=1) = 3/8 P(X=0) = 1/8 That particular example is a discrete variable. A discrete variable is a variable, which can only view a countable amount of values. Thus, a discrete random variable X has possible values x_1,〖 x〗_2,x_3 ..... In Graphical Form:
We can use the probability distribution to answer questions about variable x. In symbols, we want to find P(X ≥1). We could add probabilities to find the answer:
A continuous variable is a value that is being acquired by measuring.
WHAT IS IT To make you understand better the previous activities, another illustration is shown below. 1. How many outcomes are there in tossing 2 coins? 3 coins? 4 coins?
4 coins are tossed THTT, TTHH, HTTH, HTTT, THHH, THHT,
TTTT, THTH, TTHT, TTTH
A random variable is a numerical quantity that is assigned to the outcome of an experiment. We use capital letters to represent a random variable. Continuous Data can acquire some value within a range (like for example a person's height)
3 WHAT’S MORE This comprises activities for independent practice to solidify your understanding and skills of the topic. A Random Variable is a capacity that connects a real number with every component in the sample space. It is a variable whose qualities are controlled by chance. In this manner, a Random Variable is a numerical amount that is derived from the results of an arbitrary trial or experiment. The word “random” is used often in everyday life.
Types of Random Variables:
At that point, recognize the two types of arbitrary factors. These are the discrete and continuous random variables. Discrete Random Variables are variables can take on a finite number of distinct values. Examples are number of heads acquired while flipping a coin three times, the number of kin an individual has, the number of students present in a study hall at a given time, and so forth. You can change the experiment to just flipping a coin twice to make things simpler. Here, the outcomes will be only four: HH, HT, TH, and TT. In addition, the possible values of X are 0, 1, and 2. Continuous Random Variables, then again, are random variables that take an interminably uncountable number of potential values, regularly measurable amounts. Examples are the height or weight of an individual, the time an individual takes for an individual to wash, time, temperature, item thickness, length, age, etc. Now, let us try to look to some examples of random variables from the table below.
Table 1. Examples of Random Variables
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
A. Complete the following statements by writing the correct word. 1. A variable whose value is obtained by counting data is called__________ 2. A variable whose value is obtained by measuring is called_____________ 3. A variable that can be discrete or continuous is ______________________ 4. Time it takes to get to school is an example of ________________________ 5. Number of heads in flipping coins is an example of ___________________ B. Complete the table below. 4 WHAT I CAN DO
Classify whether the given experiment implies a discrete random variable or a continuous random variable. Write D if discrete and C if continuous. _____ 1. The temperature of a solution in the laboratory _____ 2. Collecting data about the heights of students in a public school _____ 3. Recording the distance travelled by the bus _____ 4. Surveying about the number of cases due to Covid - 19 pandemic in Quezon Province _____ 5. Number of promoted students at the end of school year
LESSON 2 - -Distinguishing Between a Discrete and a Continuous
Random Variable WHAT’S IN
Remember that a variable is a quantity that may change within the context of a mathematical problem or experiment. Typically, we use a single letter to represent a variable. The letters x, y, and z are common generic symbols used for variables. In this lesson, we shall discuss variables that are associated with probabilities, called random variables.
WHAT’S NEW
To understand how one distinguishes between a discrete and a continuous random variable. Do the activity below.
Complete the following table. The first one is done for you. 5 WHAT IS IT In Algebra, “variable” means one thing - an unknown value, you’ll come across different types of variables in statistics. Some of these are: categorical variable (variable that can be put into categories like tooth paste brands); ordinal variable (similar to categorical variable, but there is a clear order like socioeconomic status ); quantitative variable (a broad category that includes any variable that can be counted or has a numerical values associated with it); qualitative variable (a broad category that for any variable that can’t be counted) and there’s a lot more variable that you may encounter in the field of statistics, but our focused in this module, is on random variable. A Random Variable is a function that associates a real number with each element in the sample space. It is a variable whose values are determined by chance. Thus, in simple words, a Random Variable is a numerical quantity that is derived from the outcomes of a random experiment. In the experiment of tossing a coin, the number of times the coin turns up a head is an example of random variables. Below are some examples of random variables. a. Suppose two dice are rolled. The sum of the two numbers that face up is an example of a random variable. This variable makes take on integers from 2 to 12. b. Suppose the spinner shown below is spun.
An example of a random variable for this experiment is the number of times that the spinner stops at number 3. 6 There are two types of random variables, the discrete and continuous random variables
Now, let us try to take a look to some examples of random variables from the table below. Table 1. Examples of Random Variables
Example 6. Brand Z is a company that manufactures batteries. They record the number of defective batteries that are contained in each box before it is sent out for delivery. If X is the number of defective batteries per box, then what type of random variable is X?
Solution. X is a discrete random variable, and X can be a set {0, 1, 2, …, n} where n is the total number of batteries in each box.
7 Example 7. Suppose Brand Z in example number 6 wants to check the average life span of their batteries. If Y is the average number of days that each battery lasts, then what can you conclude about the variable Y?
Solution. We can conclude from above, that Y is a continuous random variable. It may be assigned time intervals that correspond to each battery’s life span.
Because of the way the discrete random variable is defined, we can say that the range of values that can be assigned to it is confined to the set of whole numbers. That is, a discrete random variable may NOT take on non-integers.
WHAT’S MORE Independent Assessment Identify whether the given experiment involves a discrete random variable or a continuous random variable. Write your answer on a separate answer sheet. 1. getting the temperature of patient admitted in a hospital 2. collecting data about the weights of students in a certain school 3. the number of patient admitted in the hospital due to COVID-19 4. the number of no work no pay in a certain municipality caused by pandemic 5. the number of families that are members of 4P’s in Quezon 6. the number of Balikbayan OFW arrive in the Philippines 7. the number of text messages received by a particular individual in a day 8. the number of possible outcomes in rolling a die 9. the amount of liquid in a 12 - ounce can of soda 10. the number of fouls committed by a basketball team during the games
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
Give your answer in the following statements. 1. A well - defined function from a sample space to the set of real numbers is called a _______________________. It is commonly denoted by capital letters, such as X, Y and Z. The specific values of a random variable is denoted by small letters such as x, y, and z. 2. A random variable is a _______________________if its set of possible outcomes is countable. Mostly, discrete random variable represents count data, such as the number of enrolled students in a particular school. 3. A random variable is _______________________if it takes on values on a continuous scale. Often, continuous random variables represent measured data, such as heights, weights temperatures and lifespan.
WHAT I CAN DO This time, it’s your turn to shine. Answer the following questions. 1. Eight students were asked to solve the Rubik’s cube. The time it took for them to complete the puzzle is summarized in the table below.
Classify what type of random variable is shown.
2. Suppose a Meter-man Apprentice was told by his superior to measure the voltage of a certain electric outlet. The voltage reading ranges from 118 V < x < 122 V. Does the scenario represent a discrete or a continuous random variable?
8 LESSON 3 - Finding Possible Values of a Random Variable WHAT’S IN Recall that a variable is an attribute that can assume different values. We use letters to denote or represent a variable. In this lesson, we shall discuss variables that are resulted from an experiment by chance, called random variables.. To find out if you are ready to learn this new lesson, try to determine whether each of the following experiments/situations involved discrete or a continuous random variable. 1. Choosing an even number less than 100. 2. Tallying the number of households in a subdivision that has a least one vehicle. 3. Gathering information about the average monthly income of a household. 4. Teacher applicants in the Division of Quezon. 5. Recording the number of patients who recovered from COVID-19.
WHAT’S NEW To understand how one finds possible values of random variables, do the activity below.
Read and analyze the given situation below.
Illustration Let D represent the defective iPhone and N for the non-defective iPhone. If we let Y be the random variable representing the number of defective iPhone, show the values of the random variable Y. Complete the table below to show the values of the random variable.
The completed table should look like this.
9 Now, it's your turn. Suppose three laptops are tested at random. We want to find out the number of non-defective laptops. Thus, to each outcome in the sample space we shall assign a value. These are 0, 1, 2, or 3. If there is no defective laptop, we assign the number 0; if there is 1 non-defective laptop, we assign the number 1; if there are two non- defective laptops, we assign the number 2 and 3, if there are three non-defective laptops. The number of non-defective laptops is a random variable. Let D represents the defective laptop and N represents the non- defective laptop. If we let X be the random variable representing the number of non-defective laptops, show the values of the random variable X. Complete the table below to show the values of the random variable.
WHAT IS IT 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 Y (number of defective iPhone) are 0, 1, and 2, while the possible values of random variable X (number of non-defective laptops) are 0, 1, 2, and 3. Example 1. Suppose two coins are tossed, let Z be the random variable representing the number of heads that occur. Find the values of the random variable Z.
So, the possible values of the random variable Z are 0, 1, and 2.
WHAT’S MORE 10 Independent Assessment 1 Two cards are drawn from a deck. How many possible values can each of thefollowing variables take? 1. sum of the numbers on the cards 2. number of times both cards are black 3. Number of times both cards are 7s 4. Number of times the first card is six and the second card is red 5. Number of times the first card is face card and the second card is not a face card
Independent Assessment 2 Four coins are toss. Let Y be the random variable representing the number of tails that occur. Find the values of the random variable Y.
WHAT I CAN DO
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?
ANSWER KEY 11 LESSON 1 LESSON 2
LESSON 3
REFERENCES Pierce, Rod. (3 Feb 2020). "Random Variables". Math Is Fun. Retrieved 24 May 2020 from http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/random-variables.html Malate, Jose S. Statistics and Probability for Senior High School. Vicarisg Publications and Trading, Inc, 2017. Lim, Yvette F., Nocon, R., Nocon, E., Ruivivar, L. Math for Engaged Learning Statistics and Probability. Sibs Publishing House, Inc. 2016. Belencia, Rene R., Baccay, Elisa S., and Mateo, Efren B. Statistics and Probability. Rex Book Store, Inc. (RBSI). 2016 Melosantos, Luis Allan B., Janice E. Antonio, Susan S. Robles and Ryan M. Bruce. Math Connections in the Digital Age. Sibs Publishing House, Inc. 2016 Malate, Jose S. “Statistics and Probability”. Vicarish Publications and Trading, Inc. (2017). ISBN 978-421- 8030-17-6, 17-26. http://www.stat.yale.edu/Courses/1997-98/101/ranvar.htm, https://www.mathsisfun.com/data/random-variables.html Belencia, Rene R., Baccay, Elisa S., and Mateo, Efren B. Statistics and Probability. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc. (RBSI). 2016. Melosantos, Luis Allan B., Antonio, Janice E., Robles, Susan S. and Bruce, Ryan M. Math Connections in the Digital Age. Quezon City: Sibs Publishing House, Inc. 2016. http://www.stat.yale.edu/Courses/1997-98/101/ranvar.htm, https://www.mathsisfun.com/data/random-variables.html
