Lesson 1:

Random
Variable
Objectives:
1. Illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous).

2. Distinguish between a discrete and continuous variable.

3. Find the possible values of a random variable.

4. Illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random
variable and its properties.
Random Variable
It is a variable whose possible values are
determined by chance. A random variable is
typically represented by an uppercase
letter, usually X, while its corresponding
lowercase letter in this case, x, is used to
represent one of its values.
For example, a coin is
tossed thrice. Let the
variable X represent
the number of heads
that result from this
experiment.

In the illustration,
random variable is
represented by the
uppercase X. the
lowercase x represents
the specific values.
Discrete Random Variable

It can only take a finite (countable) number

of distinct values. The values are exact and
can be represented by nonnegative whole
numbers.
Examples:
Let X = number of students randomly selected to be interviewed
by a researcher. This is a discrete random variable because its
possible values are 0, 1, or 2, and so on.

Let Y = number of left-handed teachers randomly selected in the

faculty room. This is a discrete random variable because its
possible values are 0, 1, or 2, and so on.

Let Z = number of defective light bulbs among the randomly

selected light bulbs. This is a discrete random variable because the
number of defective light bulbs, which X can assume are 0, 1, 2,
and so on.
Continuous Random Variable
It assume an infinite number of values in an
interval between two specific values. This
means they can assume values that can be
represented not only by nonnegative whole
numbers but also by fractions and decimals.
These values are often results of
measurement.
Example 1:
Let X = the lengths in centimeters of randomly selected shoes of
senior students. The lengths of shoes of the students can be
between any two given lengths.

Let Y = the hourly temperature last Sunday. Y is a continuous

variable because its values can be between any two given
temperatures resulting from the use of a thermometer.

Let Z = the heights of daisy plants in the backyard. This is a

continuous random variable because its possible values can be
between any two given heights resulting from the use of a
measuring tool, a yardstick.
Activity:
Determine if the random variable X or Y is discrete or continuous.

X = number of points scored in the last season by a randomly

selected basketball player in the PBA

Answer: discrete random variable

Reason: This is a discrete random variable

because its possible values are 0, 1, or 2,
and so on.
Activity:
Determine if the random variable X or Y is discrete or continuous.

Y = the height in centimeter of a randomly selected student inside

the library

Answer: continuous random variable

Reason: This is a continuous random variable

because it can assume any value between
two given heights such as 167.64 cm.
Activity:
Determine if the random variable X or Y is discrete or continuous.

X = the number of birds in a nest

Answer: discrete random variable

Reason: This is a discrete random variable

because its possible values are 0, 1, or 2,
and so on.
Activity:
Determine if the random variable X or Y is discrete or continuous.

Y = the weights in kg of randomly selected dancers after taking up

aerobics

Answer: continuous random variable

This is a continuous random variable
Reason: because it can assume any value including
all decimal values that are between two
given weights.
Remember:
A listing of all possible values of a discrete
random variable along with their
corresponding probabilities is called a discrete
probability distribution. The discrete probability
distribution can be presented in tabular,
graphical, or formula form.
The following properties must be satisfied before a distribution can
be considered a discrete probability distribution.

a.The probability of each value of a discrete random

variable is between o and 1 inclusive.

b. The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

Example 2:
x 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2

In the table, the random variable X assumes the values 0, 1,

2, and 3. the corresponding probabilities of these values
are 0.2, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.2, respectively. These corresponding
probabilities are each less than 1 but greater than 0 and
when added, the sum is 1.
Example 3:
The given spinner is divided into four sections. Let X be the score
where the arrow will stop (numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4).

a. Find the probability that the arrow will stop at 1, 2, 3, and 4.

b. Construct the discrete probability distribution of the random
variable X.
a.

x 1 2 3 4
b.
P(x)

The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

=1
Example 4:
The spinner below is divided into eight sections. Let X be the score
where the arrow will stop (numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4).

a. Find the probability that the arrow will stop at 1, 2, 3, and 4.

b. Construct the discrete probability distribution of the random
variable X.
a. =
=

x 1 2 3 4
b.
P(x)

The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

=1
Example 5:
When two fair dice are thrown simultaneously, the
following are the possible outcomes.
(1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 6)
(2, 1) (2, 2) (2, 3) (2, 4) (2, 5) (2, 6)
(3, 1) (3, 2) (3, 3) (3, 4) (3, 5) (3, 6)
(4, 1) (4, 2) (4, 3) (4, 4) (4, 5) (4, 6)
(5, 1) (5, 2) (5, 3) (5, 4) (5, 5) (5, 6)
(6, 1) (6, 2) (6, 3) (6, 4) (6, 6) (6, 6)
The probabilities of each of the possible values P(x) are given below.
1
𝑃 ( 2 )=𝑃 ( 1 ,1 ) =
36
2 1
𝑃 ( 3 )= 𝑃 ( 1 , 2 )+ 𝑃 ( 2 , 1 )= =
36 18
3 1
𝑃 ( 4 )= 𝑃 ( 1 ,3 ) + 𝑃 ( 2 , 2 ) + 𝑃 ( 3 ,1 ) = =
36 12
4 1
𝑃 ( 5 )= 𝑃 ( 1 , 4 )+ 𝑃 ( 2 , 3 ) + 𝑃 ( 3 , 2 ) + 𝑃 ( 4 , 1 )= =
36 9
5
𝑃 ( 6 )= 𝑃 ( 1 , 5 ) + 𝑃 ( 2 , 4 ) + 𝑃 ( 3 , 3 ) + 𝑃 ( 4 ,2 )+ 𝑃 ( 5 , 1 )=
36
6 1
𝑃 ( 7 )= 𝑃 ( 1 , 6 ) + 𝑃 ( 2 ,5 )+ 𝑃 ( 3 , 4 ) + 𝑃 ( 4 ,3 ) + 𝑃 ( 5 , 2 ) + 𝑃 ( 6 , 1 )= =
36 6
 5
𝑃 ( 8 )= 𝑃 ( 2 , 6 )+ 𝑃 ( 3 , 5 ) + 𝑃 ( 4 , 4 )+ 𝑃 ( 5 , 3 ) + 𝑃 (6 ,2)=
36
4 1
𝑃 ( 9 )= 𝑃 ( 3 , 6 )+ 𝑃 ( 4 , 5 ) + 𝑃 (5 , 4 )+ 𝑃 (6 , 3)= =
36 9

3 1
𝑃 ( 10 )= 𝑃 ( 4 , 6 ) + 𝑃 ( 5 ,5 ) + 𝑃 ( 6 , 4 )= =
36 12

2 1
𝑃 ( 11 ) =𝑃 (5 ,6 ) + 𝑃 ( 6 ,5 )= =
36 18
1
𝑃 ( 12 ) =𝑃 ( 6 , 6 ) =
36

The first property is met.

The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

+ + + + +
=1

Therefore, the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.

Remember:
The discrete probability distribution can be
graphed to form a probability histogram. The
values of the discrete random variable X are set
on the horizontal axis of the graph and the
probabilities are set on the vertical axis. The
values of X are placed on the center of each bar
when constructing a histogram. The probabilities
serve as the height of each bar.
Example 6:
A discrete random variable X has the following probability
distribution as follows:
x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.1 0.2 ? 0.2 0.2

a. Determine P(2).
Use the second property of discrete probability distribution
to determine P(2).

∑ 𝑃 ( 𝑥) =𝑃 ( 0) +𝑃 (1 )+ 𝑃 ( 2) +𝑃 ( 3) +𝑃(4)
1= 0.1+ 0.2+ 𝑃 ( 2 ) +0.2+ 0.2

1=0.7+ 𝑃 ( 2 )
𝑃 ( 2 )=1 −0.7
𝑃 ( 2 )=0.3
The probability histogram is shown below.
0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 1 2 3 4
Example 7:
A discrete random variable X has the following probability
distribution as follows:
x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.21 29c 0.29 0.21

a. Determine c.
Use the second property of discrete probability distribution
to determine c.

∑ 𝑃 ( 𝑥) =𝑃 ( 0) +𝑃 (1 )+ 𝑃 ( 2) +𝑃 ( 3) +𝑃(4)
1=0.21+29 𝑐 +0.2 9+0.2 1
1=0.71+ 29 𝑐
29 𝑐=1 −0.7 1
0.29
29 𝑐=0. 29 𝑐= 𝑐=0.01
29
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