GROCERY ITEMS

The probabilities that a customer will buy 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 items in a grocery

store are 3/10, 1/10, 1/10, 2/10 and 3/10, respectively. What is the average of
items that a customer will buy?
Solution:
Steps Solution
1. Construct the probability distribution Number of Items Probability P(X)
for the random variable X X
representing the number of items
that the customer will buy.

2. Multiply the value of the random Number of Probability X· P(X)

variable X by the corresponding Items X P(X)
probability.

3. Add the results obtained in Step 2.

∑[𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = ______________

4. Interpret the result.
 SURGERY PATIENTS
The probabilities that a surgeon operates on 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 patients in any
day are 0.15, 0.10, 9.20, 0.25, and 0.30, respectively. Find the average number of
patients that a surgeon operates on a day.
Solution:
Steps Solution
1. Construct the probability distribution Number of Probability P(X)
for the random variable X Patients X
representing the number of patients
that a surgeon operates on a day.

2. Multiply the value of the random Number of Probability X· P(X)

variable X by the corresponding Patients X P(X)
probability.

3. Add the results obtained in Step 2.

∑[𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = ______________

4. Interpret the result.
 NUMBER OF DEFECTIVE PARTS
The probabilities of a machine manufacturing 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 defective parts
in one day are 0.45, 0.17, 0.04, 0.02, and 0.32, respectively. Find the mean of the
probability distribution.
Solution:
Steps Solution
1. Construct the probability distribution Number of Probability P(X)
for the random variable X Defective Parts X
representing the defective parts of
a machine manufacturing in one
day.

2. Multiply the value of the random Number of Probability X· P(X)

variable X by the corresponding Defective P(X)
probability. Parts X

3. Add the results obtained in Step 2.

∑[𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = ______________

4. Interpret the result.
 NUMBER OF SPOTS
Consider rolling a die. What is the average number of spots that would
appear?
Solution:
Steps Solution
1. Construct the probability distribution Number of Spots Probability P(X)
for the random variable X X
representing the number of spots
that would appear.

2. Multiply the value of the random Number of Probability X· P(X)

variable X by the corresponding Spots X P(X)
probability.

3. Add the results obtained in Step 2.

∑[𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = ______________

4. Interpret the result.