Scribd
Upload
3 views12 pages

3) Distributions

The document discusses random variables, including discrete and continuous types, and their associated probability distributions. It covers key concepts such as the binomial distribution, normal distribution, and the use of z-scores for standardization. Additionally, it explains how to calculate probabilities and quantiles using various statistical methods.

Uploaded by

cengizzeynep5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views12 pages

3) Distributions

The document discusses random variables, including discrete and continuous types, and their associated probability distributions. It covers key concepts such as the binomial distribution, normal distribution, and the use of z-scores for standardization. Additionally, it explains how to calculate probabilities and quantiles using various statistical methods.

Uploaded by

cengizzeynep5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

3) Distributions

Random Variable: uses numbers to describe the possible outcomes which could result from
a random experiment, often represented by a capital letter such as X. Random variables can be
discrete or continuous.

Discrete Probability Distribution


For any random variable, there is a corresponding probability distribution which describes the
probability that the variable will take a particular value. The probability that the variable X
takes value x is denoted 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥)

• The mode is the most frequently occurring value of the variable. This is the data value
whose probability is the highest.
• The median corresponds to the 50th percentile. List the values in ascending order and
the median is when the cumulative sum reaches 0.5.

Expectation

1) IB Question, Paper 2

1
2) IB Question, Paper 1

3) IB Question, Paper 2

Variance and Standard Deviation

2
4) IB Question, Paper 2

Properties of aX+b

5) IB Question, Paper 2

3
The Binomial Distribution
In a binomial experiment, there are a fixed number of independent trials and there are only
two possible results for each trial: success is some event occurs and failure if the event
doesn’t occur.

If X is the number of successes in a binomial experiment with n trials, each with probability of
success p, then X is a binomial random variable.

Ex. If five coins are tossed in a row, what is the probability of getting:
a) 4 head and 1 tail in any order

b) First 4 heads and then 1 tail

Using Technology to Find Binomial Probabilities

4
6) IB Question, Paper 2

7) IB Question, Paper 2

Mean and Standard Deviation of a Binomial Distribution

8) IB Question, Paper 2

5
Continuous Random Variables
Since the probability that a continuous random variable takes a particular value is always 0,
we cannot use a probability mass function to describe its distribution. Instead, we use a
function called a probability density function.

The probability density function of a continuous random variable is the derivative of the
variable’s cumulative distribution function.

6
9) IB Question, Paper 2

10) IB Question, Paper 2

The Normal Distribution


We will now consider variables with symmetrical, bell-shaped probability density functions.
We call this a normal distribution.

7
Although all normal distributions have the same general bell-shaped curve, the exact location
and shape of the curve is determined by the mean 𝝁 (which measures the center) and the
standard deviation 𝝈 (which measures the spread of the distribution).

8
Calculating Normal Probabilities

11) IB Question, Paper 1

9
Standard Normal Distribution
Suppose a random variable X is normally distributed with mean 𝜇 and standard deviation 𝜎.
!#$
For each value of x, we can calculate a z-score using the algebraic transformation 𝑧 = % .
This transformation is known as the Z-transformation.
'#$
If 𝑋 ~ 𝑁(𝜇, 𝜎 & ) and 𝑍 = %
, then 𝑍 ~ 𝑁(0, 1& ).

The distribution 𝑍 ~ 𝑁(0, 1& ) is called the standard normal distribution or Z-distribution.

The z-score of x is the number of standard deviations x is from the mean.


For example, is 𝑧 = −1.28, then x is 1.28 standard deviations to the left of the mean.

z-scores are useful when comparing different populations with different 𝜇 and 𝜎. z-scores also
help us calculate 𝜇 or 𝜎 if we are missing them.

10
Normal Quantiles
We use the inverse normal function on our calculator to find quantiles, which are
corresponding measurements we are asked to calculate when given a probability.

12) IB Question, Paper 2

13) IB Question, Paper 2

11
14) IB Question, Paper 2

15) IB Question, Paper 2

12

You might also like