Lesson 3
Probability
Distribution
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able
to
correctly illustrate a probability distribution for a
discrete random variable; and
accurately construct a probability distribution for
a discrete random variable.
Essential Questions
What is the importance of constructing a probability
distribution for a random variable in interpreting data?
What does the probability distribution tell us about our
expected or obtained data?
Warm Up!
Before we thoroughly probability distribution, let us
watch to revisit what probability is by watching a short
clip.
Click the link to access the video. (Note: You may watch
the video until 6:42 only)
Mathantics. “Math Antics – Basic Probability.” YouTube
video, 11:28. Posted 15 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June
2019 from https://www.youtube.com/
Guide Questions
● What is probability and how do we calculate it?
● Why is the sum of the probabilities of any event is 1
and the probabilities are always between 0 and 1,
inclusive?
● In the video, the outcomes in tossing fair coin is either
head or tail. What if you toss two coins; what are the
possible outcomes and what is the probability of
obtaining a head?
Learn about It!
Probability Distribution of a Discrete
1 Random Variables
is a list, a table, a graph, or a formula of probabilities associated with each
of its possible values
Example:
In tossing two coins, the
possible outcomes are If the
random variable denotes the
number of heads in the
outcomes, then the table shows
the probability distribution.
Learn about It!
Properties of a Probability Distribution:
2
a. The probability of each outcome is between 0 and 1, inclusive. That is, .
b. The sum of all the probabilities of the random variable is equal to 1 or
100%. That is, .
Try It!
Example 1: Determine whether a distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable .
Try It!
Example 1: Determine whether a distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable .
Solution:
To determine if the distribution is a valid probability
distribution, we must satisfy the two properties for the
probability distribution of a discrete random variable.
Try It!
Example 1: Determine whether a distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable .
Solution:
a. The probability of each outcome is between and.
The probabilities and are all between 0 and 1.
Try It!
Example 1: Determine whether a distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable .
Solution:
b. The sum of all the probabilities of the random variable
is equal to or .
Thus, the above distribution is a valid probability
distribution for the discrete random variable .
Try It!
Example 2: Construct the probability distribution for the
random variable which pertains to the number of tails in
each outcome when tossing two coins.
Try It!
Example 2: Construct the probability distribution for the
random variable which pertains to the number of tails in
each outcome when tossing two coins.
Solution:
To construct the probability distribution for a discrete
random variable , we need to determine the possible
outcomes of a random experiment.
In tossing two coins, the possible outcomes are where
represents the head and represents the tail.
Try It!
Example 2: Construct the probability distribution for the
random variable which pertains to the number of tails in
each outcome when tossing two coins.
Solution:
From the outcomes, we can have the following table:
Number of Tails Outcomes
Based on the table above, the random variable can take
the values of , and .
Try It!
Example 2: Construct the probability distribution for the
random variable which pertains to the number of tails in
each outcome when tossing two coins.
Solution:
Thus, the probability distribution for the discrete random
variable is
or
Let’s Practice!
Individual Practice:
1. Determine whether the distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable
.
Let’s Practice!
Individual Practice:
2. Consider the random experiment of rolling a pair of
tetrahedron dice (whose number of dots are 1 to 4).
Construct the probability distribution for the random
variable which denotes the sum of the numbers in
the two dice.
Let’s Practice!
Group Practice: To be done in groups of 3.
A bowl contains five marbles numbered as 0, 2, 4, 6, and
8. If a random experiment of picking three marbles at a
time was conducted, construct a probability distribution
for the random variable which represents the sum of
the numbers on the marbles.
Key Points
Probability Distribution of a Discrete
1 Random Variables
is a list, a table, a graph, or a formula of probabilities associated with each
of its possible values
Properties of a Probability Distribution:
2
a. The probability of each outcome is between 0 and 1, inclusive. That is, .
b. The sum of all the probabilities of the random variable is equal to 1 or
100%. That is, .
Synthesis
● How do we construct a probability distribution for a
random variable ?
● In what real-life contexts can you apply the concept of
probability distribution for a random variable?
● How can you find the value of a certain random
variable?
