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Statistics and Probability

2nd Semester – Week 1

TOPIC: RANDOM VARIABLE (Discrete and Continuous)

A Random Variable is a numerical quantity that is derived from the outcomes of

random experiments.
There are two types of random variables, the discrete and continuous random
TOPIC: Possible Values of Random Variable
variables:
A Random Variable is a numerical quantity that is derived from the outcomes of
random experiments.
The random variable in the activity above is a discrete random variable because the
set of possible outcomes is countable. The possible values of random variable X are
0, 1, 2, and 3.

Example 1. Suppose three coins are tossed. Let Y be the random variable
representing the number of tails that occur. Find the values of the random variable Y.
 TOPIC: Constructing Probability Distribution

A random variable is a set whose elements are the numbers assigned to the
outcomes of an experiment. It is usually denoted by uppercase letters such as X,
whose elements are denoted by lower case letters x1, x2, x3 and so on.

Probability distribution of a discrete random variable specifies the probability

of each possible value of the random variable. The distribution functions of discrete
random variables are concentrated as a mass for a particular value, and generally
known as Probability Mass Function.

Example 2. Two balls are drawn in succession without replacement from a box
containing 5 red balls and 6 blue balls. Let Z be the random variable representing the
number of blue balls. Find the values of the random variable Z.
EXAMPLE 1. NUMBER OF GREEN BALLS
Write the probability distribution of a random variable Y representing the
number of green balls when 2 balls are drawn in succession without replacement
from a jar containing 4 red and 5 green balls. Construct a histogram for this
probability distribution.

Steps Solution
a. Determine the sample space. Let R The sample space for this experiment
represent the red ball and G represent is:
the green ball. S= { RR, RG, GR, GG}
b. Count the number of green balls in Possible Value of the Random
each outcome in the sample space and Outcomes Variable Y (No. Of
assign this number to this outcome. Green Balls)
RR 0
RG 1
GR 1
 GG 2 5. The amount of paint used in repainting a building
c. Assign probability values P(Y) to each Number of Probability P(Y) B. Answer the following as directed.
value of the random variable. Green Balls Y 1. How do you find the values of a random variables?
-There are 4 possible outcomes, if no 2. How is this variable, as described in Algebra, similar to a random variable?
green ball occurs once, the probability that 0 1/4 How do they differ?
we shall assign to the random variable 0
is ¼ C. Construct the probability distribution for the random variables described in each
-If 1 green ball occurs two times, the 1 2/4 or ½ of the following situations.
probability that we shall assign to the 1. Suppose that a coin is to be tossed four times, and let X represent the number
random variable 1 is 2/4 or ½. of tails that occur.
-If 2 green balls occur once, the 2 ¼
probability that we shall assign to the
random variable 1 is ¼.

EXAMPLE 2.
Write the probability mass function of the random variable X defined by the
outcomes of rolling a fair die.

Since a die is fair, each of the 6 outcomes has a probability 1/6 or approxiamtely
0.17, thus, the probability mass function is:
X 1 2 3 4 5 6
P(X 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6
)
EVALUATION:

(Note: Write your answers in a separate sheet of paper. Write your FULL
NAME and SECTION at the top of the paper. Use an individual sheet of paper
per subject.)

A. Classify as discrete or continuous random variable.

1. The speed of a bus
2. The number of voters favoring a candidate
3. The temperature in Quezon at noon time
4. The number of gold medals won by Quezon delegates in Regional Sports
Competition