STATISTICS AND

PROBABILITY
DECEMBER 9, 2024
 RANDOM VARIABLES AND
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
 LESSON 1
RANDOM VARIABLE
Understanding Random Variables

The concept of probability distribution is

very important in statistical analysis of data.
This is specially true when we try to
estimate the true value of a variable, using
sample data. Moreover, we also use
probability distribution in testing hypothesis.
Identify the term being described in
each of the following:

1. Any activity which can be done repeatedly under similar

conditions.
2. The set of all possible outcomes in an experiment.
3. a subset of a sample space
4. the elements in a sample space
5. the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes to the number of
possible outcomes.

Probability Event Sample Space Outcomes

Experiment
Identify the term being described in
each of the following:

1. Any activity which can be done repeatedly under similar

conditions.EXPERIMENT
Experiment
2. The set of all possible outcomes in an experiment.
SAMPLE SPACE
3. a subset of a sample space.𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑵𝑻
4. the elements in a sample space.OUTCOME
5. the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes to the number of
possible outcomes. PROBABILITY
Definition of 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.
Example:

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.
Determining the values of random
variable H.

Step 1. List the sample space of the experiment.

𝑺= { 𝑯𝑯 , 𝑯𝑻 ,𝑻𝑯 ,𝑻𝑻 }
Step 2. Count the number of heads in each outcome and
assign this number to this outcome.
OUTCOM NUMBER OF HEADS
E (VALUE OF H) The values of the random
HH 2 variable H (number of
HT 1 heads) in this experiment
TH 1
are 0, 1, and 2.
TT 0
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 random variable R
representing the number of ripe bananas.
Determining the values of random
variable R.

Step 1. List the sample space of the

experiment. Let R represent the ripe
bananas and let U represent the unripe
bananas.
𝑺= { 𝑹𝑹𝑹, 𝑹𝑹𝑼 , 𝑹𝑼𝑹 ,𝑼𝑹𝑹 ,𝑼𝑼𝑹, 𝑹𝑼𝑼 ,𝑼𝑼𝑼 }
Determining the values of random
variable R.

Step 2. Count the number of heads in each outcome and

assign this number to this outcome.
OUTCOME NUMBER OF RIPE
BANANAS The values of the random
(VALUE OF H)
RRR 3
variable R (number of ripe
RRU 2 bananas) in this
RUR 2 experiment are 0, 1, 2 and
URR 2 3.
UUR 1
URU 1
RUU 1
UUU 0
TRY!

A coin is flipped four times. Let T be the

number of tails that come out.
Determine the values of the random
variable T.
DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS
RANDOM VARIABLES

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.
EXAMPLES:

CONTINUOUS RANDOM
DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLES
VARIABLE

Number of pencils in the box Amount of antibiotics in the vial

Number of soldiers in the troop Lifetime of lights bulbs in minutes

Number of rotten tomatoes in the

Length of wire ropes
basket

Number of defective flashlights Voltage of radio batteries

TRY!
Classify the following as discrete or
continuous.

1. The time it takes a student to finish his test in a particular

subject.
2. The number of registered nurses in a city.
3. The number of winners in lotto for each month.
4. The weight of professional boxers.
5. The grade point average of students.
TRY!
Classify the following as discrete or
continuous.
1. The time it takes a student to finish his test in a
particular CONTINUOUS
subject.
DISCRETE
2. The number of registered nurses in a city.
DISCRETE
3. The number of winners in lotto for each month.
CONTINUOUS
4. The weight of professional boxers.
DISCRETE
5. The grade point average of students.
SUMMARY OF KEY IDEAS

1. A random variable is numerical quantity that is assigned to the

outcome of an experiment. It is a variable that assumes numerical
values associated with the events of an experiment.
2. A random variable is a quantitative variable whose value depends
on change.
3. To determine the values of the random variable in an experiment,
follow these steps.
a. List the sample space of the experiment.
b. Count the number of the random variable in each outcome and
assign this number to this outcome.
SUMMARY OF KEY IDEAS

4. A random variable may be classified as discrete or

continuous.
5. A discrete random variables is one that can assume only
a countable number of values. It is a random variable
whose possible values form a finite or countable set of
numbers.
6. A continuous random variable can assume infinite
number of values in one or more intervals. A continuous
random variable is generated from an experiment in which
things are counted but not measured.
Classify the following as discrete or
continuous.

1. the number of senators present in the meeting

2. the weight of newborn babies for the month of June
3. the number of ballpens in the box
4. the capacity of the electrical resistors
5. the amount of salt needed to bake a loaf of bread
Classify the following as discrete or
continuous.

6. The capacity of an auditorium

7. The number of households with television
8. The height of mango trees in a farm
9. the area of lots in subdivision
10. the number of students who joined a field trip
ANSWERS

1. DISCRETE
2. CONTINUOUS
3. DISCRETE
4. CONTINUOUS
5. CONTINUOUS
6. DISCRETE
7. DISCRETE
8. CONTINUOUS
9. CONTINUOUS
10. DISCRETE
Determine the values of random
variable in each of the following
situation.

1. Two coins are tossed. Let T be the number of

tails that occurs. Determine the values of the
random variable T.
2. Three coins are tossed. Let T be the number of
tails that occurs. Determine the values of the
random variable T.
ANSWERS:

1.
Step 1:
Step 2: OUTCOMES NUMBER OF TAILS
(T) The values of
HH 0
HT 1
random
TH 1 variable T is
TT 2 0, 1 and 2.
ANSWERS:

1.
Step 1:
Step 2: OUTCOMES NUMBER OF TAILS
(T) The values of
HHH 0
HHT 1
random
HTH 1 variable T is
HTT 2 0, 1, 2, and 3.
THH 1
TTH 2
THT 2