INFERENTIAL STATISTICS AB

Lesson 1

Probability Distribution

I. Learning Outcomes:
In this lesson, you should be able to:
1. determine whether the distribution represents a probability distribution; and
2. construct a probability distribution;
3. define probability distribution and other terms relating to it; and
4. give examples the probability distribution for discrete and continuous random
variable.

II. Pre-Assessment:

Define the following terms:

1. Probability
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2. Distribution
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3. Probability Distribution
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4. Probability Mass Function

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5. Probability Density Function

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III. Lesson Map:

Discrete Continuos

Probability
Distribution

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The figure above denotes the types of probability distributions depending on its random variable.

IV. Core Content:

ENGAGE: PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION PRE-REQUISITES

To be able to understand the lesson that you are about to take, it is important to
understand variables, random variables, and some notation.

 A variable is a symbol (A, B, x, y, etc.) that can take on any of a specified set of
values.
 When the value of a variable is the outcome of a statistical experiment, that variable
is a random variable.

Generally, statisticians use a capital letter to represent a random variable and a lower-
case letter, to represent one of its values. For example,

 X represents the random variable X.

 P(X) represents the probability of X.
 P(X = x) refers to the probability that the random variable X is equal to a particular
value, denoted by x. As an example, P(X = 1) refers to the probability that the random
variable X is equal to 1.

EXPLORE: DETERMINING PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

Determine whether the distribution represents a probability distribution.

EXPLAIN: PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

A probability distribution consists of the values a random variable can assume and the
corresponding probabilities of the values. The probabilities can be determined
theoretically or by observation. For example, if two coins are tossed, the possible
outcomes are HH, HT, TH, or TT. If X is a random variable for the number of heads,

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the X assumes the values 0, 1, or 2. Probabilities for the values of X can be

determined as follows:

No Heads One Head Two Heads

1/4 2/4 1/4

The probability distribution can be constructed by listing the outcomes and assigning
the probability of each outcome.

Number of Heads, X 0 1 2
Probability, P(X) 1/4 2/4 1/4

Example 1 Construct a probability distribution for rolling a single die.

Solution The sample space is 1, 2, 3,4 ,5, or 6. Each outcome has a probability of
1/6.

Outcome,
1 2 3 4 5 6
X
Probability,
1/6 2/6 3/6 4/6 5/6 7/6
P(X)

Two Requirements for a Probability Distribution

1. The sum of the probabilities of all the events in the sample space must be equal to 1.
2. The probability of each event in the sample space must be between or equal to 0 and 1.
That is, 0 ≤ P (X )≤ 1.

Example 2 Determine whether the distribution is a probability distribution.

a.)
X 3 6 8
P(X) -0.3 0.6 0.7

b.)
X 1 2 3 4 5
P(X) 3/10 1/10 1/10 2/10 3/10

Solution a) No, it is not a probability distribution. P(X) cannot be -0.3.

b) Yes, it is a probability distribution.
3 1 1 2 3 4 5
∑ P ( X )= 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 =1

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EXPLORE: WHAT DO PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS IMPLY?

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EVALUATE:

Construct a probability distribution for each of the following data.

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V. Topic Summary:
In this lesson you have learned the following:

 A variable is a symbol (A, B, x, y, etc.) that can take on any of a specified set
of values.
 When the value of a variable is the outcome of a statistical experiment, that
variable is a random variable.
 A probability distribution consists of the values a random variable can assume
and the corresponding probabilities of the values.
 The probability distribution of a continuous random variable is called a
probability density function.
 If X is a discrete random variable, then the probability distribution is called
probability mass function.

VI. Post-Assessment:

Give examples of the following:

6. Probability Distribution
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7. Probability Mass Function

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8. Probability Density Function

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VII. References:
 Lim, Yvette F. Statistics and Probability. Sibs Publishing House, Inc. 2016
 Alferez, Merle S. Statistics and Probability. MSA Publishing House. 2006