SELF-LEARNING HOME TASK (SLHT)

Subject: Statistics and Probability Grade Level: 11 Quarter: 3 Week: 1

MELC COMPETENCY CODE
 Illustrates a random variable (discrete and continuous).  M11/12SP-IIIa-1
 distinguishes between a discrete and a continuous random
variable.  M11/12SP-IIIa-2
 Finds the possible values of a random variable.
 Illustrates a probability distribution for a discrete  M11/12SP-IIIa-3
random variable and its properties.  M11/12SP-IIIa-4

Name: ________________________________ Section: _____________________ Date: _________

School: _________________________________ District: ___________________________
A. Readings/ Discussion

Random Variable

A random variable is a variable whose possible values are determined by chance. A random
variable is typically represented by an uppercase letter, usually X, while its corresponding
lowercase letter in the case, x, is used to represent one of its values. For example, a coin is tossed
thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that result from this experiment.

1st toss 2nd toss 3rd toss Final Numbe rof

Outcome Heads (X) In the illustration shown, random
H HHH 3
variable is represented by upper case X. The
H
lower case x represents the HHT
specific values.
2
T
H Hence, x = 3, Hx = 2, x = 2, x = 1, x = 2, x =1, x = 1,
HTH 2
and x = 0.
T
T HTT 1
The sample space for the possible outcome is
H THH 2
H
S = { HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT,THT
THH, THT, TTH, TTT}.
T 1
T H
The value variable X can be10, 1, 2,
of the TTH
orT3. Then, in this example, X is a random
T TTT 0
variable.

Random variables can either be discrete or continuous.

Discrete Random Variable Continuous Random Variable

  can only take a finite (countable) number of  can assume an infinite number of values in
distinct values. Distinct values mean values an interval between two specific values.
that are exact and can be represented by This means they can assume values that
nonnegative whole number. can be represented not only by nonnegative
whole numbers but also by fractions and
decimals. These values are often result of
measurements.
Examples Examples
1. the number of patients in a hospital 1. height of survey respondents
2. number of siblings 2. distance travelled by the students going
3. Let X = number of students randomly to school
selected to be interviewed by a 3. Let Y = the weight of randomly selected
researcher. This is a discrete random students in pounds. This is a continuous
variable because its possible values are random variable because its values can
0, 1, 2, and so on. be between any two given weights. Also,
4. Let Y = number of left-handed teachers weights are measured using weighing
randomly selected in a faculty room. scale. The weight of a students for
This is a discrete random variable example can be 150.5 lb. but due to
because its possible values are 0, 1, 2 limits of measuring devices, the
and so on. measurement is always an approximate.
5. Let Z = number of defective light bulbs The weights of students can range from
among the randomly selected light 100 to 180 lb. including all the decimal
bulbs. This is a discrete random variable places that come between these two
because the number of defective light values.
bulbs, which Z can assume, are 0,1,2 4. Let Z = the hourly temperature last
and so on. Sunday. Z is a continuous random
variable because its value can be
between any two given temperatures
resulting from the use of a thermometer.

Probability Distribution

A listing of all possible values of a discrete random variable along with their corresponding
probabilities is called a discrete probability distribution. The discrete probability distribution can be
presented in tabular, graphical, or formula form.
 The following properties must be satisfied before a distribution can be considered a

Example 1. Consider the following table.

x 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2

In the table, random variable X assumes the value 0,1, 2, and 3. The corresponding probabilities of
these values are 0.2, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.2, respectively. These corresponding probabilities are each
less than 1 but greater than 0 and we added, the sum is 1.

∑ P ( x )=0.2+0.3+ 0.3+0.2
=1

Example 2. The given spinner is divided into four sections. Let X be the score where the arrow will stop
(numbered as 1,2,3 and 4, in the drawing below).
a. Find then probability that the arrow will stop at 1, 2, 3 and 4.
b. Construct the discrete probability distribution of the random variable X.
1 2
Solution:
Let X = score on the spinner 3 4

1
The probability that the arrow will stop at any of the 4 divisions is 1 out of 4 or .
4
1
Hence, the probability of landing on 1 is 1 out of 4 or . The probability of landing on 2 is 1
4
1 1
out of 4 or .The probability of landing on 3 is 1 out of 4 or and the probability of landing
4 4
1
on 4 is also 1 out of 4 or .
4

These probabilities are shown below:

 1 1
a. P(1) = P(2) =
4 4
1 1
P(3) = P(4) =
4 4
b. A table similar to the following can be constructed to show the values assumed by the
discrete random variable X and its corresponding probabilities. The discrete probability
distribution is
x 1 2 3 4 presented in tabular
form P(x) 1 1 1 1 below:
4 4 4 4

The first property 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1 is met. Each of the probabilities is greater than 0 but less
than 1.
The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
∑ P ( x )=P(1)+ P(2)+ P(3)+ P(4)
1 1 1 1
= + + +
4 4 4 4
=1
The two requirements for a discrete probability distribution are satisfied. Therefore,
the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.
Example 3. Toss a fair coin twice and let X be equal to the number of heads (H) observed.
Construct the discrete probability distribution of X.

1st toss 2nd toss Final Outcome Number of Heads

H HH 2
H
T HT 1

H TH 1
T
T TT 0

1
P(2) = ∨0.25
4
2
P(1) = ∨0.50
4
1 x 0 1 2
P(0) = ∨0.25
4 P(x) 1 1 1
4 2 4

The first property 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1 is met.

The sum of all the probabilities is 1 so, the second property is also met.
∑ P ( x )=P(0)+ P(1)+ P(2)
1 1 1
= + +
4 2 4
=1
Therefore, the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.
 The discrete probability distribution can be graphed to form a

The Probability histogram of Example 3 is shown below.

P(x)

2
4
Probability
1
4

0 1 2 3
Number of Heads When Tossing a fair Coin

Example 4. A discrete random

variable X has x 0 1 2 3 4 the following
probability: P(x) 0.1 0.2 ? 0.2 0.2

a. Determine P(2)
Solution:
Use the second property of discrete probability distribution to determine P(2).
a. ∑ P ( x )=P ( 0 ) + P ( 1 )+ P ( 2 ) + P ( 3 ) + P(4 )
1 = 0.1 + 0.2 + P ( 2 ) + 0.2 + 0.2
1 = 0.7 + P ( 2 )
P ( 2 )= 0.3
Example 5. A discrete random variable X has the following probability:
x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.21 29c 0.29 0.21
a. Determine c.
Solution:
Use the second property of discrete probability distribution to determine P(2).
a. ∑ P ( x )=P ( 1 )+ P ( 2 ) + P ( 3 ) + P( 4)
1 = 0.21 + 0.29c + 0.29 + 0.21
1 = 0.71 + 29c
 29c = 1 - 0.71
0.29
c=
29
c = 0.01
B. Exercises
EXERCISE 1
Directions: Classify the following random variables as DISCRETE or CONTINUOUS.
1. Length of a cell phone charger ____________________
2. Number of gadgets in a household ____________________
3. Count of words encoded per minute ____________________
4. Amount of water consumed per day ____________________
5. Sum of burgers sold in a day ____________________

EXERCISE 2
Directions: Determine whether the distribution represented is valid or not. Explain your answer.

x 0 1 2 3 4 1.
P(x) 1 3 1 1 3
10 10 5 5 10

x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0.10 0.20 0.25 0.40 0.05 2.

x 1 2 3 4 5
3.
P(x) 0.05 0.25 0.33 0.28 0.08

x 1 2 3 4 5 4.
P(x) 0.08 0.25 0.34 0.31 0.04

x 1 2 3 4 5
5.
P(x) 0.03 0.22 1.01 0.23 0.02

A. C. Assessment/Application/Output (Please refer to DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2020)

B. Directions: Choose the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.
1. Which of the following random variables is discrete?
a. Number of movies made by a director c. Time needed to finish a movie
b. Length of film used in a movie d. Land area of a movie studio
2. If two dice are rolled, which of the following is not a possible outcome of the random variable X:
 total number of dots facing up?
a. 2 b. 3 c. 10 d. 13
3. Find the correct value of Y to make a valid probability distribution.
x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0.11 0.15 0.35 Y 0.24

a. 0.11 b. 0.15 c. 0.35 d. 0.24

4. Which of the following is NOT a valid probability distribution?
a. c.
x 1 2 3 4 5 x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.24 P(x) 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

b. d.

x 1 3 5 7 9 x 4 8 12 14 16
P(x) 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 P(x) 0.36 0.21 0.10 0.09 0.24

5. A family of 4 children has the following probability distribution. What is the expected number of
boys in a group of 4 siblings?

Number of Boys X 0 1 2 3 5
Probability P(X) 1/15 3/15 7/15 3/15 1/15

a. 0.11 b. 0.15 c. 1 d. 2

For numbers 6-10, refer to the probability distribution below. A birthing home recorded the number of
live births that materialize in their birthing home in the past 2 years.

Live births per month X 0 1 2 3 4 5

Probability P(X) 0.11 0.15 0.23 0.25 0.13 0.13

6. What is the probability that exactly 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.11 b. 0.15 c. 0.23 d. 0.25
7. What is the probability that less than 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.26 b. 0.38 c. 0.48 d. 0.36
8. What is the probability that more than 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.26 b. 0.51 c. 0.74 d. 0.89
9. What is the probability that at least 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.26 b. 0.51 c. 0.74 d. 0.89
10. What is the probability that at most 2 babies will be born in the home in any month?
a. 0.26 b. 0.49 c. 0.74 d. 0.87

SUGGESTED ENRICHMENT/REINFORCEMENT ACTIVITY/IES

DIRECTIONS: Do the following in your answer sheet
The spinner below is divided into 8 sections. Let X be the score where the arrow will stop
(numbered as 1, 2, 3, 4 in the drawing below).

1 2
 2 3

2 4
1 1

1. Find the probability of landing on 1, 2, 3, and 4

2. Construct a probability distribution for the random variable X

Reference/s

Patricia B. Licuanan, Ph.D., (2016) Teaching Guide for Senior High School Statistics and Probability,
Published by the Commission on Higher Education, pages 4 - 7

Mercado, Jesus P., Orines, Fernando B.,(2016), Next Century Mathematics Statistics and Probability,
Quezon City, Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., pages 2 -18

“Random Variables,” Khan Academy, Inc., last modified August 1, 2019,

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/statistics-probability/random-variables-stats-library/random-
variables-discrete/v/random-variables.

Prepared by:

JUNEL L. VITO
Teacher III
Rosario National High School
Aloguinsan District

Reviewed by:

CLAVEL D. SALINAS
Senior High Division Coordinator
Division of Cebu Province

GUIDE

For the Teacher: Advise the students to read the reading and discussion portion before they attempt
to answer the practice exercises. Going through the parts sequentially will help them easily
understand the topic.
For the Learner: Read through the self-learning home task from the first part to the last part. Doing
so,
will help you understand better the topic.

For the Parent/Home Tutor: Assist your child and make sure that he/she reads the self-learning
home task from beginning to end to ensure proper understanding of the concept

Answer Key

Exercise 1
1. Continuous
2. Discrete
3. Discrete
4. Continuous
5. Discrete
Exercise 2
1. Not Valid. Sum exceeds 1.
1 3 1 1 3 23
∑ P ( x )= 10 + 10 + 5 + 4 + 10 = 20 or 1.15
2. Not Valid. Sum is less than 1.
∑ P ( x )=0.10+ 0.20+0.25+0.40+0.02=¿ ¿ 0.97
3. Valid
∑ P ( x )=0.05+ 0.25+ 0.34+0.28+ 0.08=¿ ¿ 1
4. Not Valid. Sum exceeds 1.
∑ P ( x )=0.08+ 0.25+0.34+ 0.31+ 0.04=¿ ¿ 1.02
5. Valid
∑ P ( x )=0.03+ 0.22+.25+ 0.40+0.10=¿ ¿ 1
Assessment
1. A
2. D
3. B
4. C
5. D
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. C
10. B
Suggested Enrichment/Reinforcement Activity/Ies
These probabilities are shown below:
3 3
1. P(1) = P(2) =
8 8
1 1
P(3) = P(4) =
8 8
2. The discrete probability distribution is presented in tabular form below:
x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 3 3 1 1
8 8 8 8
The first property 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1 is
met. Each of the probabilities is greater than 0 but less than 1.
The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
∑ P ( x )=P(1)+ P(2)+ P(3)+ P(4)
3 3 1 1
= + + +
8 8 8 8
=1