Lesson 1

Random Variable and
Probability Distribution
Random Variable
A random variable is a numerical quantity
that is assigned to the outcome of an experiment.
We use capital letter to represent a random
variable.
2
Example 1:
Suppose two coins are tossed and we

are interested to determine the
number of heads that will come out.
Let us use H to represent the number
of heads that will come out.
Determine the values of the random
variable H. 3
Step 1:
List the sample space of the experiment.
4
Step 2:
Count the number of heads in each outcome and assign a
number to this outcome.
Outcome Number of Heads
HH 2
HT 1
TH 1
TT 0
The values of random variable H in this experiment
are 0, 1, & 2.
5
Example 2:
A basket contains 10 ripe and 4

unripe bananas. If three bananas
are taken from the basket one
after the other, determine the
possible values of the random
variable R representing the 6
Step 1:
7
Step 2:
Count the number of heads in each outcome and assign a number to this outcome .
Outcome Number of Heads

RRR 3
RRU 2
RUR 2
URR 2
UUR 1
URU 1
RUU 1
UUU 0
8
Discrete and Continuous Random Variable
A random variable can be classified as
discrete or continuous. A discrete random
variable is one that can assume only a
countable number of values. A continuous
random variable can assume infinite number
of values in one or more intervals.
9
Examples
Discrete Random Variables Continuous Random Variables
number of pencils in a box amount of antibiotics in a

vial
number of soldiers in a troop length of wire ropes
number of defective lifetime of lightbulbs in
flashlights minutes
10
Probability Distribution of the Discrete Random Variable
The frequency distribution of the values

of the random variable and determine the
probability that each value of the random
variable will occur. The resulting distribution
is called a probability distribution of the
discrete random variable. The probability
distribution of a discrete random variable is
sometimes called the probability mass 11
Example 1:
A basket contains 10 ripe and 4

unripe bananas. If three bananas
are taken from the basket one
after the other, determine the
possible values of the random
variable R representing the 12
Step 1:

Let R be the Ripe Bananas
Let U be the Unripe Bananas
13
Step 2:
Count the number of heads in each outcome and assign a number to this outcome .
Outcome Number of Ripe Bananas

RRR 3
RRU 2
RUR 2
URR 2
UUR 1
URU 1
RUU 1
UUU 0
14
Step 3:
Construct the frequency distribution of the values of the
random variable R.
Number of Ripe Bananas Number of Occurrence
(Values of R) (Frequency)
3 1
2 3
1 3
0 1
Total 8
15
Step 4:
Construct the probability distribution of the random
variable R by getting the probability of occurrence of each
value of the random variable.
Number of Ripe Number of Occurrence Probability
Bananas (Frequency) P(R)
(Values of R)
3 1 1/8
2 3 3/8
1 3 3/8
0 1 1/8
Total 8 1 16
Step 4:
The probability distribution of the random variable R can be
written as follows:
R 3 2 1 0
P(R) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
17
Example 2:
Suppose two coins are tossed and we

are interested to determine the
number of heads that will come out.
Let us use H to represent the number
of heads that will come out.
Determine the values of the random
variable H. 18
Properties of a Discrete Probability Distribution
Example 3. Consider the probability

distribution of the number of bananas given
below.
R 3 2 1 0
P(R) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
19
Properties of a Discrete Probability Distribution
R 3 2 1 0
P(R) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
Find the following:
Observe from these
examples that each
probability value is less
than or equal to one, but
greater than or equal to
zero. Notice also that 20
Finding the Discrete Probability Distribution Described by a Formula
Sometimes, discrete probability

distributions are described by a formula.
To ascertain that a formula describes a
probability distribution, we need to
substitute the values of the random
variable in the formula, and the obtained
values should satisfy the properties of 21a
Example 4:
Determine whether or not the formula below describes a
probability distribution.
If it is find the following:
22
Graphical Representation of Discrete Probability Distribution
The probability distribution of a discrete

random variable can be shown graphically by
constructing a histogram. The graph is called a
probability histogram.
The probability histogram displays the
possible values of a discrete random variable
on the horizontal axis and the probabilities of
23
those values on the vertical axis.
Example 5:
Construct the probability histogram of the
probability distribution of the number of ripe
bananas.
Probability Distribution of the Number of Ripe
Bananas.
R 3 2 1 0
P(R) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
24
Example 6:
Draw the bar graph for the given data. Construct the
probability histogram of the probability distribution of the
number of heads
Probability Distribution of the Number of Heads
H 2 1 0
P(H) 1/4 1/2 1/4
25

Lesson 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Random Variable and

Suppose two coins are tossed and we

List the sample space of the experiment.

A basket contains 10 ripe and 4

List the sample space of the experiment.

Outcome Number of Heads

Discrete Random Variables Continuous Random Variables

number of pencils in a box amount of antibiotics in a

The frequency distribution of the values

A basket contains 10 ripe and 4

List the sample space of the experiment.

Outcome Number of Ripe Bananas

Suppose two coins are tossed and we

Example 3. Consider the probability

Sometimes, discrete probability

If it is find the following:

The probability distribution of a discrete

You might also like