Probability Concepts and

Applications
 Learning Objectives
1. Understand the basic foundations of
probability analysis.
2. Describe statistically dependent and
independent events.
3. Use Bayes’ theorem to establish posterior
probabilities.
4. Describe and provide examples of both
discrete and continuous random variables.
5. Explain the difference between discrete and
continuous probability distributions.
6. Calculate expected values and variances and
use the normal table.
 Outline
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Fundamental Concepts
2.3 Mutually Exclusive and Collectively
Exhaustive Events
2.4 Statistically Independent Events
2.5 Statistically Dependent Events
2.6 Revising Probabilities with Bayes’
Theorem
2.7 Further Probability Revisions
 Outline
2.8 Random Variables
2.9 Probability Distributions
2.10 The Binomial Distribution
2.11 The Normal Distribution
2.12 The F Distribution
2.13 The Exponential Distribution
2.14 The Poisson Distribution
 Introduction

 Life is uncertain; we are not sure

what the future will bring.
 Probability is a numerical
statement about the likelihood
that an event will occur.
 Fundamental Concepts

1. The probability, P, of any event or

state of nature occurring is greater
than or equal to 0 and less than or
equal to 1. That is:

0  P (event)  1

2. The sum of the simple probabilities

for all possible outcomes of an
activity must equal 1.
 Diversey Paint Example
 Demand for white latex paint at Diversey Paint
and Supply has always been either 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4
gallons per day.
 Over the past 200 days, the owner has observed
the following frequencies of demand:
QUANTITY
NUMBER OF DAYS PROBABILITY
DEMANDED
0 40 0.20 (= 40/200)
1 80 0.40 (= 80/200)
2 50 0.25 (= 50/200)
3 20 0.10 (= 20/200)
4 10 0.05 (= 10/200)
Total 200 Total 1.00 (= 200/200)
 Diversey Paint Example
 Demand for white latex paint at Diversey Paint
and Supply
Notice has always been either 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4
the individual
gallons perare
probabilities dayall between 0
and 1 the past 200 days, the owner has observed
 Over
the following
0 ≤ P frequencies
(event) ≤ 1 of demand
And the total of all event
QUANTITY equals 1
probabilities NUMBER OF DAYS PROBABILITY
DEMANDED
0 ∑ P (event) = 1.00
40 0.20 (= 40/200)
1 80 0.40 (= 80/200)
2 50 0.25 (= 50/200)
3 20 0.10 (= 20/200)
4 10 0.05 (= 10/200)
Total 200 Total 1.00 (= 200/200)
 Types of Probability
Determining objective probability :
 Relative frequency
 Typically based on historical data

Number of occurrences of the event

P (event) =
Total number of trials or outcomes

 Classical or logical method

 Logically determine probabilities without trials

1 Number of ways of getting a head

P (head) =
2 Number of possible outcomes (head or tail)
 Types of Probability

Subjective probability is based on

the experience and judgment of the
person making the estimate.
 Opinion polls
 Judgment of experts
 Delphi method
 Mutually Exclusive Events

Events are said to be mutually

exclusive if only one of the events can
occur on any one trial.
 Tossing a coin will result
in either a head or a tail.
 Rolling a die will result in
only one of six possible
outcomes.
 Collectively Exhaustive Events

Events are said to be collectively

exhaustive if the list of outcomes
includes every possible outcome.
 Both heads and
OUTCOME
tails as possible OF ROLL
PROBABILITY
outcomes of 1 1
/6
coin flips. 2 1
/6
 All six possible 3 1
/6
4
outcomes 1
/6
5
of the roll 1
/6
6
of a die. /6
1

Total 1
 Drawing a Card

Draw one card from a deck of 52 playing cards

P (drawing a 7) = 4/52 = 1/13

P (drawing a heart) = 13/52 = 1/4

 These two events are not mutually exclusive

since a 7 of hearts can be drawn
 These two events are not collectively
exhaustive since there are other cards in the
deck besides 7s and hearts
 Table of Differences

MUTUALLY COLLECTIVELY
DRAWS
EXCLUSIVE EXHAUSTIVE
1. Draws a spade and a club Yes No
2. Draw a face card and a Yes Yes
number card
3. Draw an ace and a 3 Yes No
4. Draw a club and a nonclub Yes Yes
5. Draw a 5 and a diamond No No
6. Draw a red card and a No No
diamond
Adding Mutually Exclusive Events

We often want to know whether one or a

second event will occur.
 When two events are mutually
exclusive, the law of addition is:

P (event A or event B) = P (event A) + P (event B)

P (spade or club) = P (spade) + P (club)

= 13/52 + 13/52
= 26/52 = 1/2 = 0.50
Adding Not Mutually Exclusive Events

The equation must be modified to account

for double counting.
 The probability is reduced by
subtracting the chance of both events
occurring together.
P (event A or event B) = P (event A) + P (event B)
– P (event A and event B both occurring)
P (A or B) = P (A) + P (B) – P (A and B)
P(five or diamond) = P(five) + P(diamond) – P(five and diamond)
= 4/52 + 13/52 – 1/52
= 16/52 = 4/13
 Venn Diagrams

P (A and B)

P (A) P (B) P (A) P (B)

Events that are mutually Events that are not

exclusive. mutually exclusive.

P (A or B) = P (A) + P (B)
P (A or B) = P (A) + P (B)
– P (A and B)
Figure 2.1 Figure 2.2
 Statistically Independent Events

Events may be either independent or

dependent.
 For independent events, the occurrence
of one event has no effect on the
probability of occurrence of the second
event.
Which Sets of Events Are Independent?

1. (a) Your education

Dependent events
(b) Your income level

2. (a) Draw a jack of hearts from a full 52-card deck Independent

(b) Draw a jack of clubs from a full 52-card deck events

3. (a) Chicago Cubs win the National League pennant Dependent

(b) Chicago Cubs win the World Series events

4. (a) Snow in Santiago, Chile

Independent events
(b) Rain in Tel Aviv, Israel
 Three Types of Probabilities
 Marginal (or simple)
simple probability is just the
probability of a single event occurring.
P (A)
 Joint probability is the probability of two or more
events occurring and is equal to the product of
their marginal probabilities for independent
events.
P (AB) = P (A) x P (B)
 Conditional probability is the probability of event
B given that event A has occurred.
P (B | A) = P (B)
 Or the probability of event A given that event B
has occurred
P (A | B) = P (A)
 Joint Probability Example

The probability of tossing a 6 on the first

roll of the die and a 2 on the second roll:
P (6 on first and 2 on second)
= P (tossing a 6) x P (tossing a 2)
= 1/6 x 1/6 = 1/36 = 0.028
 Independent Events
A bucket contains 3 black balls and 7 green balls.
 Draw a ball from the bucket, replace it, and
draw a second ball.

1. The probability of a black ball drawn on first

draw is:
P (B) = 0.30 (a marginal probability)
2. The probability of two green balls drawn is:
P (GG) = P (G) x P (G) = 0.7 x 0.7 = 0.49
(a joint probability for two independent events)
 Independent Events
A bucket contains 3 black balls and 7 green balls.
 Draw a ball from the bucket, replace it, and
draw a second ball.
3. The probability of a black ball drawn on the
second draw if the first draw is green is:
P (B | G) = P (B) = 0.30
(a conditional probability but equal to the marginal
because the two draws are independent events)
4. The probability of a green ball drawn on the
second draw if the first draw is green is:
P (G | G) = P (G) = 0.70
(a conditional probability as in event 3)
Statistically Dependent Events
The marginal probability of an event occurring is
computed in the same way:
P (A)

Calculating conditional probabilities is slightly more

complicated. The probability of event A given that
event B has occurred is:
P (AB)
P (A | B) = P (B)

The formula for the joint probability of two events is:

P (AB) = P (A | B) P (B)
 When Events Are Dependent

Assume that we have an urn containing 10 balls of

the following descriptions:
 4 are white (W) and lettered (L)
 2 are white (W) and numbered (N)
 3 are yellow (Y) and lettered (L)
 1 is yellow (Y) and numbered (N)

P (WL) = 4/10 = 0.4 P (YL) = 3/10 = 0.3

P (WN) = 2/10 = 0.2 P (YN) = 1/10 = 0.1
P (W) = 6/10 = 0.6 P (L) = 7/10 = 0.7
P (Y) = 4/10 = 0.4 P (N) = 3/10 = 0.3
 When Events Are Dependent

4 balls
White (W) 4
and Probability (WL) =
10
Lettered (L)

2 balls
The urn White (W) 2
contains 10 Probability (WN) =
and 10
balls: Numbered (N)
3 balls
Yellow (Y) 3
Probability (YL) =
and 10
Lettered (L)
Figure 2.3
1 ball Yellow (Y) 1
and Numbered (N) Probability (YN) =
10
 When Events Are Dependent

The conditional probability that the ball drawn

is lettered, given that it is yellow, is:

P (YL) 0.3
P (L | Y) = = = 0.75
P (Y) 0.4

We can verify P (YL) using the joint probability formula

P (YL) = P (L | Y) x P (Y) = (0.75)(0.4) = 0.3

 Joint Probabilities
for Dependent Events
If the stock market reaches 12,500 point by January,
there is a 70% probability that Tubeless Electronics
will go up.
 You believe that there is only a 40% chance
the stock market will reach 12,500.
 Let M represent the event of the stock market
reaching 12,500 and let T be the event that
Tubeless goes up in value.

P (MT) = P (T | M) x P (M) = (0.70)(0.40) = 0.28

 Revising Probabilities with
Bayes’ Theorem
Bayes’ theorem is used to incorporate additional
information and help create posterior
probabilities.

Prior
Probabilities

Bayes’ Posterior
Process Probabilities

New
Information

Figure 2.4
 Posterior Probabilities
A cup contains two dice identical in appearance but
one is fair (unbiased), the other is loaded (biased).
 The probability of rolling a 3 on the fair die is 1/6 or 0.166.
 The probability of tossing the same number on the loaded
die is 0.60.
 We select one by chance,
toss it, and get a 3.
 What is the probability that
the die rolled was fair?
 What is the probability that
the loaded die was rolled?
 Posterior Probabilities
We know the probability of the die being fair or
loaded is:
P (fair) = 0.50 P (loaded) = 0.50
And that
P (3 | fair) = 0.166 P (3 | loaded) = 0.60

We compute the probabilities of P (3 and fair)

and P (3 and loaded):

P (3 and fair) = P (3 | fair) x P (fair)

= (0.166)(0.50) = 0.083
P (3 and loaded) = P (3 | loaded) x P (loaded)
= (0.60)(0.50) = 0.300
 Posterior Probabilities
We know the probability
The sumof the die being
of these fair or
probabilities
loaded is gives us the unconditional
probability
P (fair) = 0.50 of tossing
P (loaded) = 0.50a 3:
And that
P (3 | fair) = 0.166P (3)P=(3
0.083 + 0.300
| loaded) = 0.383
= 0.60

We compute the probabilities of P (3 and fair)

and P (3 and loaded)

P (3 and fair) = P (3 | fair) x P (fair)

= (0.166)(0.50) = 0.083
P (3 and loaded) = P (3 | loaded) x P (loaded)
= (0.60)(0.50) = 0.300
 Posterior Probabilities
If a 3 does occur, the probability that the die rolled
was the fair one is:
P (fair and 3) 0.083
P (fair | 3) = = = 0.22
P (3) 0.383

The probability that the die was loaded is:

P (loaded and 3) 0.300

P (loaded | 3) = = = 0.78
P (3) 0.383

 These are the revised or posterior probabilities for the

next roll of the die.
 We use these to revise our prior probability estimates.
 Bayes’ Calculations
Given event B has occurred:
STATE OF P (B | STATE PRIOR JOINT POSTERIOR
NATURE OF NATURE) PROBABILITY PROBABILITY PROBABILITY

A P(B | A) x P(A) = P(B and A) P(B and A)/P(B) = P(A|B)

A’ P(B | A’) x P(A’) = P(B and A’) P(B and A’)/P(B) = P(A’|B)
P(B)

Table 2.2
Given a 3 was rolled:
STATE OF P (B | STATE PRIOR JOINT POSTERIOR
NATURE OF NATURE) PROBABILITY PROBABILITY PROBABILITY

Fair die 0.166 x 0.5 = 0.083 0.083 / 0.383 = 0.22

Loaded die 0.600 x 0.5 = 0.300 0.300 / 0.383 = 0.78
P(3) = 0.383

Table 2.3
 General Form of Bayes’ Theorem

We can compute revised probabilities more

directly by using:

P ( B | A) P ( A)
P( A | B) 
P ( B | A) P ( A)  P ( B | A ) P ( A )

where
A  the complement of the event A ;
for example, if A is the event “fair die”,
then A is “loaded die”.
 General Form of Bayes’ Theorem

This is basically what we did in the previous example:

Replace A with “fair die”
Replace A with “loaded die
Replace B with “3 rolled”
We get

P ( fair die | 3 rolled)

P (3 | fair ) P ( fair )

P (3 | fair ) P ( fair )  P (3 | loaded) P (loaded)
(0.166)(0.50) 0.083
  0.22
(0.166)(0.50)  (0.60)(0.50) 0.383
Further Probability Revisions
We can obtain additional information by performing
the experiment a second time
 If you can afford it, perform experiments
several times.
We roll the die again and again get a 3.
P ( fair )  0.50 and P (loaded)  0.50
P (3,3 | fair )  (0.166)(0.166)  0.027
P (3,3 | loaded)  (0.6)(0.6)  0.36
 Further Probability Revisions
We can obtain additional
P (3,3 and fair )  Pinformation
(3,3 | fair )  Pby performing
( fair )
the experiment a second  (0time
.027 )(0.5 )  0.013
 If you can afford it, perform experiments
P (3,3 and
several loaded)  P (3,3 | loaded)  P (loaded)
times
 (0.36)(0.5 )  0.18
We roll the die again and again get a 3
P ( fair )  0.50 and P (loaded)  0.50
P (3,3 | fair )  (0.166)(0.166)  0.027
P (3,3 | loaded)  (0.6)(0.6)  0.36
 Further Probability Revisions
We can obtain additional
P (3,3 and fair )  Pinformation
(3,3 | fair )  Pby performing
( fair )
the experiment a second  (0time
.027 )(0.5 )  0.013
 If you can afford it, perform experiments
P (3,3 and
several loaded)  P (3,3 | loaded)  P (loaded)
times
 (0.36)(0.5 )  0.18
We roll the die again and again get a 3
P (fair )  0.50 and P (loaded
P (3,3 )  0) .500.013
and fair
P((3fair
P ) (0.166)(0.166)  0.
| 3,)3
,3 | fair 027  0.067
P (3,3) 0.193
P(3,3 | loaded)  (0.6)(0.6)  0.36
P (3,3 and loaded) 0.18
P (loaded | 3,3)    0.933
P (3,3) 0.193
 Further Probability Revisions

After the first roll of the die:

probability the die is fair = 0.22

probability the die is loaded = 0.78

After the second roll of the die:

probability the die is fair = 0.067

probability the die is loaded = 0.933
 Random Variables

A random variable assigns a real number

to every possible outcome or event in an
experiment.
X = number of refrigerators sold during the day

Discrete random variables can assume only

a finite or limited set of values.
Continuous random variables can assume
any one of an infinite set of values.
 Random Variables – Numbers
RANGE OF
RANDOM
EXPERIMENT OUTCOME RANDOM
VARIABLES
VARIABLES
Stock 50 Number of Christmas X 0, 1, 2,…, 50
Christmas trees trees sold
Inspect 600 Number of acceptable Y 0, 1, 2,…, 600
items items
Send out 5,000 Number of people Z 0, 1, 2,…, 5,000
sales letters responding to the
letters
Build an Percent of building R 0 ≤ R ≤ 100
apartment completed after 4
building months
Test the lifetime Length of time the S 0 ≤ S ≤ 80,000
of a lightbulb bulb lasts up to 80,000
(minutes) minutes
Table 2.4
 Random Variables – Not Numbers

RANGE OF
EXPERIMENT OUTCOME RANDOM VARIABLES RANDOM
VARIABLES
Students Strongly agree (SA) 5 if SA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
respond to a Agree (A) 4 if A..
questionnaire Neutral (N) X = 3 if N..
Disagree (D) 2 if D..
Strongly disagree (SD) 1 if SD
One machine Defective Y= 0 if defective 0, 1
is inspected 1 if not defective

Not defective
Consumers Good 3 if good…. 1, 2, 3
respond to Average Z= 2 if average
how they like a Poor 1 if poor…..
product
Table 2.5
 Probability Distribution of a
Discrete Random Variable
For discrete random variables a
probability is assigned to each event.

The students in Pat Shannon’s statistics

class have just completed a quiz of five
algebra problems. The distribution of
correct scores is given in the following
table:
 Probability Distribution of a
Discrete Random Variable
RANDOM VARIABLE NUMBER PROBABILITY
(X – Score) RESPONDING P (X)
5 10 0.1 = 10/100
4 20 0.2 = 20/100
3 30 0.3 = 30/100
2 30 0.3 = 30/100
1 10 0.1 = 10/100
Total 100 1.0 = 100/100
Table 2.6

The Probability Distribution follows all three rules:

1. Events are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive.
2. Individual probability values are between 0 and 1.
3. Total of all probability values equals 1.
 Probability Distribution for
Dr. Shannon’s Class

0.4 –

0.3 –
P (X)

0.2 –

0.1 –

0 –| | | | | |
Figure 2.5
1 2 3 4 5
X
 Probability Distribution for
Dr. Shannon’s Class

0.4 – The central tendency of

the distribution is the
mean, or expected value.
0.3 – The amount of variability
is the variance.
P (X)

0.2 –

0.1 –

Figure 2.5 0 –| | | | | |
1 2 3 4 5
X
 Expected Value of a Discrete
Probability Distribution
The expected value is a measure of the central
tendency of the distribution and is a weighted
average of the values of the random variable.
n
E X    X i P X i 
i 1

 X 1 P  X 1   X 2 P ( X 2 )  ...  X n P ( X n )
where
X i = random variable’s possible values
P ( X i ) = probability of each of the random variable’s
n possible values

i 1
= summation sign indicating we are adding all n
possible values
E ( X ) = expected value or mean of the random sample
 Expected Value of a Discrete
Probability Distribution
For Dr. Shannon’s class:

n
E X    X i P X i 
i 1

 5(0.1)  4(0.2)  3(0.3)  2(0.3)  1(0.1)

 .5  .8  .9  .6  .1
 2.9
 Variance of a
Discrete Probability Distribution
For a discrete probability distribution the
variance can be computed by
n
σ 2  Variance   [ X i  E ( X )]2 P ( X i )
i 1

where
X i = random variable’s possible values
E ( X ) = expected value of the random variable
[ X i  E ( X )]= difference between each value of the random
variable and the expected mean
P ( X i ) = probability of each possible value of the
random variable
 Variance of a
Discrete Probability Distribution

For Dr. Shannon’s class:

5
variance   [ X i  E ( X )]2 P ( X i )
i 1

variance  (5  2.9)2 (0.1)  ( 4  2.9)2 (0.2) 

( 3  2 .9 ) 2 ( 0 .3 )  ( 2  2 .9 ) 2 ( 0 .3 ) 
(1  2.9)2 (0.1)
 0.441  0.242  0.003  0.243  0.361
 1.29
 Variance of a
Discrete Probability Distribution

A related measure of dispersion is the

standard deviation.

σ  Variance  σ 2

where
= square root
σ = standard deviation
 Variance of a
Discrete Probability Distribution

A related measure of dispersion is the

standard deviation.

σ  Variance  σ 2

where
= square
Forroot
Dr. Shannon’s class:
σ = standard deviation
σ  Variance
 1.29  1.14
 Using Excel
Formulas in an Excel Spreadsheet for the Dr.
Shannon Example

Program 2.1A
 Using Excel
Excel Output for the Dr. Shannon Example

Program 2.1B
 Probability Distribution of a
Continuous Random Variable
Since random variables can take on an infinite
number of values, the fundamental rules for
continuous random variables must be modified.
 The sum of the probability values must still
equal 1.
 The probability of each individual value of the
random variable occurring must equal 0 or
the sum would be infinitely large.
The probability distribution is defined by a
continuous mathematical function called the
probability density function or just the probability
function.
 This is represented by f (X).
 Probability Distribution of a
Continuous Random Variable
Probability

| | | | | | |
5.06 5.10 5.14 5.18 5.22 5.26 5.30
Weight (grams)

Figure 2.6
 The Binomial Distribution

 Many business experiments can be

characterized by the Bernoulli process.
 The Bernoulli process is described by the
binomial probability distribution.
1. Each trial has only two possible outcomes.
2. The probability of each outcome stays the
same from one trial to the next.
3. The trials are statistically independent.
4. The number of trials is a positive integer.
 The Binomial Distribution
The binomial distribution is used to find the
probability of a specific number of successes
in n trials.
We need to know:
n = number of trials
p = the probability of success on any
single trial

We let
r = number of successes
q = 1 – p = the probability of a failure
 The Binomial Distribution
The binomial formula is:

n!
Probability of r successes in n trials  p r q n r
r ! ( n  r )!

The symbol ! means factorial, and

n! = n(n – 1)(n – 2)…(1)
For example
4! = (4)(3)(2)(1) = 24
By definition
1! = 1 and 0! = 1
 The Binomial Distribution
Binomial Distribution for n = 5 and p = 0.50.
NUMBER OF 5!
HEADS (r) Probability = (0.5)r(0.5)5 – r
r!(5 – r)!
5!
0 0.03125 = 0!(5 – 0)! (0.5)0(0.5)5 – 0
5!
1 0.15625 = 1!(5 – 1)! (0.5)1(0.5)5 – 1
5!
2 0.31250 = 2!(5 – 2)! (0.5)2(0.5)5 – 2
5!
3 0.31250 = 3!(5 – 3)! (0.5)3(0.5)5 – 3
5!
4 0.15625 = 4!(5 – 4)! (0.5)4(0.5)5 – 4
5!
Table 2.7 5 0.03125 = 5!(5 – 5)! (0.5)5(0.5)5 – 5
 Solving Problems with the
Binomial Formula

We want to find the probability of 4 heads in 5 tosses.

n = 5, r = 4, p = 0.5, and q = 1 – 0.5 = 0.5

Thus
5!
P  (4 successes in 5 trials )  0.54 0.55 4
4!(5  4)!

5( 4 )(3)(2)(1)
 (0.0625 )(0.5 )  0.15625
4(3)(2)(1)(1! )
 Solving Problems with the
Binomial Formula
Binomial Probability Distribution for n = 5 and p = 0.50.
0.4 –

0.3 –
Probability P (r)

0.2 –

0.1 –

| | | | | | |
0–
Figure 2.7 1 2 3 4 5 6
Values of r (number of successes)
 Solving Problems with
Binomial Tables
MSA Electronics is experimenting with the
manufacture of a new transistor.
 Every hour a random sample of 5 transistors is
taken.
 The probability of one transistor being defective
is 0.15.
What is the probability of finding 3, 4, or 5 defective?
So n = 5, p = 0.15, and r = 3, 4, or 5

We could use the formula to solve this problem,

but using the table is easier.
 Solving Problems with
Binomial Tables
P
n r 0.05 0.10 0.15
5 0 0.7738 0.5905 0.4437
1 0.2036 0.3281 0.3915
2 0.0214 0.0729 0.1382
3 0.0011 0.0081 0.0244
4 0.0000 0.0005 0.0022
5 0.0000 0.0000 0.0001
Table 2.8 (partial)

We find the three probabilities in the table

for n = 5, p = 0.15, and r = 3, 4, and 5 and
add them together.
 Solving Problems with
Binomial Tables
P
P (3 or
n more
r 0.05 )  P (3)  P
defects ( 4 )  P (5 )
0.10 0.15
5 0 0.7738  0.0244  0.0022  0.0001
0.5905 0.4437  0.0267
1 0.2036 0.3281 0.3915
2 0.0214 0.0729 0.1382
3 0.0011 0.0081 0.0244
4 0.0000 0.0005 0.0022
5 0.0000 0.0000 0.0001
Table 2.8 (partial)

We find the three probabilities in the table

for n = 5, p = 0.15, and r = 3, 4, and 5 and
add them together
 Solving Problems with
Binomial Tables
It is easy to find the expected value (or mean) and
variance of a binomial distribution.

Expected value (mean) = np

Variance = np(1 – p)

For the MSA example:

Expected value  np  5(0.15 )  0.75
Variance  np(1  p)  5(0.15 )(0.85 )  0.6375
 Using Excel
Function in an Excel 2010 Spreadsheet for Binomial
Probabilities

Program 2.2A
 Using Excel
Excel Output for the Binomial Example

Program 2.2B
 The Normal Distribution
The normal distribution is the one of the
most popular and useful continuous
probability distributions.
 The formula for the probability density
function is rather complex:
 ( x   )2
1
f (X )  e 2 2
 2

 The normal distribution is specified

completely when we know the mean, µ,
and the standard deviation,  .
 The Normal Distribution
 The normal distribution is symmetrical,
with the midpoint representing the mean.
 Shifting the mean does not change the
shape of the distribution.
 Values on the X axis are measured in the
number of standard deviations away from
the mean.
 As the standard deviation becomes larger,
the curve flattens.
 As the standard deviation becomes
smaller, the curve becomes steeper.
 The Normal Distribution

| | |

40 µ = 50 60

Smaller µ, same 

| | |

µ = 40 50 60

Larger µ, same 

| | |

40 50 µ = 60
Figure 2.8
 The Normal Distribution

Same µ, smaller 

Same µ, larger 

Figure 2.9
µ
Using the Standard Normal Table
Step 1
Convert the normal distribution into a standard
normal distribution.
 A standard normal distribution has a mean
of 0 and a standard deviation of 1
 The new standard random variable is Z

X 
Z

where
X = value of the random variable we want to measure
µ = mean of the distribution
 = standard deviation of the distribution
Z = number of standard deviations from X to the mean, µ
 Using the Standard Normal Table
For example, µ = 100,  = 15, and we want to find
the probability that X is less than 130.
X   130  100
Z 
 15
30
  2 std dev µ = 100
15 P(X < 130)  = 15

| | | | | | |
X = IQ
55 70 85 100 115 130 145

X 
| | | | | | | Z
–3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 

Figure 2.10
 Using the Standard Normal Table
Step 2
Look up the probability from a table of normal
curve areas.
 Use Appendix A or Table 2.9 (portion below).
 The column on the left has Z values.
 The row at the top has second decimal
places for the Z values.
AREA UNDER THE NORMAL CURVE
Z 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03
1.8 0.96407 0.96485 0.96562 0.96638 P(X < 130)
1.9
2.0
0.97128
0.97725
0.97193
0.97784
0.97257
0.97831
0.97320
0.97882
= P(Z < 2.00)
2.1 0.98214 0.98257 0.98300 0.98341 = 0.97725
2.2 0.98610 0.98645 0.98679 0.98713

Table 2.9 (partial)

Haynes Construction Company

Haynes builds three- and four-unit apartment

buildings (called triplexes and quadraplexes,
respectively).
 Total construction time follows a normal
distribution.
 For triplexes, µ = 100 days and  = 20 days.
 Contract calls for completion in 125 days,
and late completion will incur a severe
penalty fee.
 What is the probability of completing in 125
days?
 Haynes Construction Company

X   125  100
Z  From Appendix A, for Z = 1.25
 20 the area is 0.89435.
25  The probability is about
  1.25
20 0.89 that Haynes will not
violate the contract.

µ = 100 days X = 125 days

Figure 2.11
 = 20 days
Haynes Construction Company

Suppose that completion of a triplex in 75

days or less will earn a bonus of $5,000.

What is the probability that Haynes will get

the bonus?
 Haynes Construction Company

X   75  100
Z 
 20
But Appendix A has only
 25 positive Z values, and the
  1.25
20 probability we are looking for
is in the negative tail.

P(X < 75 days)

Area of
Interest

X = 75 days µ = 100 days

Figure 2.12
 Haynes Construction Company

X   75  100 Because the curve is

Z 
 20 symmetrical, we can look at
 25 the probability in the positive
  1.25 tail for the same distance
20
away from the mean.

P(X > 125 days)

Area of
Interest

µ = 100 days X = 125 days

 Haynes Construction Company
 We know the probability
completing in
125 days is 0.89435.
 So the probability
completing in more
than 125 days is
1 – 0.89435 = 0.10565.

µ = 100 days X = 125 days

 Haynes Construction Company
The probability
completing in more than
125 days is
1 – 0.89435 = 0.10565.

Going back to the

left tail of the
distribution:
X = 75 days µ = 100 days

The probability of completing in less than 75

days is 0.10565.
 Haynes Construction Company

What is the probability of completing a triplex

within 110 and 125 days?

We know the probability of completing in 125

days, P(X < 125) = 0.89435.

We have to complete the probability of

completing in 110 days and find the area
between those two events.
 Haynes Construction Company

X   110  100 From Appendix A, for Z = 0.5 the

Z 
 20 area is 0.69146.
10 P(110 < X < 125) = 0.89435 –
  0.5 0.69146 = 0.20289.
20

 = 20 days

µ = 100 110 125

Figure 2.13
days days days
 Using Excel
Function in an Excel 2010 Spreadsheet for the
Normal Distribution Example

Program 2.3A
 Using Excel
Excel Output for the Normal Distribution Example

Program 2.3B
 The Empirical Rule

For a normally distributed random variable with

mean µ and standard deviation  , then

1. About 68% of values will be within ±1 of the mean.

2. About 95.4% of values will be within ±2 of the

mean.

3. About 99.7% of values will be within ±3 of the

mean.
 The Empirical Rule

16% 68% 16%

–1 +1
a µ b

2.3% 95.4% 2.3%

–2 +2
a µ b

0.15% 99.7% 0.15%

Figure 2.14 –3 +3

a µ b
 The F Distribution

 It is a continuous probability distribution.

 The F statistic is the ratio of two sample variances.
 F distributions have two sets of degrees of
freedom.
 Degrees of freedom are based on sample size and
used to calculate the numerator and denominator
of the ratio.
df1 = degrees of freedom for the numerator
df2 = degrees of freedom for the denominator

 The probabilities of large values of F are very

small.
 The F Distribution

F
Figure 2.15
 The F Distribution

Consider the example: df1 = 5

df2 = 6
 = 0.05
From Appendix D, we get
F, df , df = F0.05, 5, 6 = 4.39
1 2

This means
P(F > 4.39) = 0.05

The probability is only 0.05 F will exceed 4.39.

 The F Distribution

F value for 0.05 probability

with 5 and 6 degrees of
freedom

0.05

F = 4.39
Figure 2.16
 Using Excel

Program 2.4A
 Using Excel
Excel Output for the F Distribution

Program 2.4B
 The Exponential Distribution
 The exponential distribution (also called the
negative exponential distribution)
distribution is a
continuous distribution often used in queuing
models to describe the time required to service
a customer. Its probability function is given by:

f ( X )  e  x
where
X = random variable (service times)
µ = average number of units the service facility can
handle in a specific period of time
e = 2.718 (the base of natural logarithms)
 The Exponential Distribution
1
Expected value   Average service time

1 f(X)
Variance  2


Figure 2.17
 Arnold’s Muffler Shop
 Arnold’s Muffler Shop installs new
mufflers on automobiles and small trucks.
 The mechanic can install 3 new mufflers
per hour.
 Service time is exponentially distributed.

What is the probability that the time to install a new

muffler would be ½ hour or less?
 Arnold’s Muffler Shop
Here:
X = Exponentially distributed service time
µ = average number of units the served per time period =
3 per hour
t = ½ hour = 0.5hour

P(X≤0.5) = 1 – e-3(0.5) = 1 – e -1.5 = 1 = 0.2231 = 0.7769

 Arnold’s Muffler Shop

Note also that if:

P(X≤0.5) = 1 – e-3(0.5) = 1 – e -1.5 = 1 = 0.2231 = 0.7769

Then it must be the case that:

P(X>0.5) = 1 - 0.7769 = 0.2231

 Arnold’s Muffler Shop
Probability That the Mechanic Will Install a Muffler in
0.5 Hour

Figure 2.18
 Using Excel

Function in an Excel Spreadsheet for the

Exponential Distribution

Program 2.5A
 Using Excel
Excel Output for the Exponential Distribution

Program 2.5B
 The Poisson Distribution
 The Poisson distribution is a discrete
distribution that is often used in queuing models
to describe arrival rates over time. Its probability
function is given by:

 x e 
P( X ) 
X!
where
P(X) = probability of exactly X arrivals or occurrences
= average number of arrivals per unit of time
(the mean arrival rate)
e= 2.718, the base of natural logarithms
X= specific value (0, 1, 2, 3, …) of the random
variable
 The Poisson Distribution
The mean and variance of the distribution are both
.

Expected value = 
Variance = 
 Poisson Distribution

We can use Appendix C to find Poisson probabilities.

Suppose that λ = 2. Some probability calculations are:

x e  
P( X ) 
X!
2 0 e  2 1(0.1353)
P ( 0)    0.1353
0! 1
21 e  2 2(0.1353)
P (1)    0.2706
1! 1
2 2 e  2 4(0.1353)
P ( 2)    0.2706
2! 2
 Poisson Distribution

Sample Poisson Distributions with λ = 2 and λ = 4

Figure 2.19
 Using Excel
Functions in an Excel 2010 Spreadsheet for the
Poisson Distribution

Program 2.6A
 Using Excel

Excel Output for the Poisson Distribution

Program 2.6B
 Exponential and Poisson
Together
 If the number of occurrences per time
period follows a Poisson distribution, then
the time between occurrences follows an
exponential distribution:
 Suppose the number of phone calls at a
service center followed a Poisson distribution
with a mean of 10 calls per hour.
 Then the time between each phone call would
be exponentially distributed with a mean time
between calls of 6 minutes (1/10 hour).