UNIFORM PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

Consider the random variable x that represents the flight time of an airplane traveling from Chicago to
New York.Suppose The flight time can be any value in the interval from 120 minutes to 140
minutes.Because the random variable x can assume any value in that interval,z is a continous rather
than a discrete random variable. Let us assume that sufficient actual flight data are available to conclude
that the probability of a flight time within any other 1-minute interval is the same as probability of a
flight time within any other 1-minute interval contained in the larger interval from 120-140 minutes.
With every 1-minute interval being equally likely,the random variable x is said to have a uniform
probability distribution.The probability density function,which defines the uniform probability
distribution for the flight time random variable is:
1 /20
f(x) = ∫ for 120≤ x ≥ 140
0

In general,the uniform probability density function for a random variable x is found by using the
following formula.

Uniform Probability Density Founction

1
b−a
F(x) = for a ≤ x ≥ b
∫
0

In the flight-time example,a = 120 and b=140.

f(x)

120 125 130 135 140

Flight Time in Minutes

What is P (120 ≤ x ≥ 130)?

Area as a Measure of Probability

P (120 ≤ x ≥ 130) = Area = 1/20(10) =10/20 = 0.5

10

120 125 130 135 140

Flight Time in Minutes

The Calculation of the expected value and variance for a continuous random variable is analogous to
that for a discrete random variable.However,because the computational procedure involves integral
calculus,we leave the derivation of the oppropriate formulas to more advanced texts.

For the uniform continuous probability distribution introduced in this section,the formulas for
the expected value and variance are

a+b
E(x) =
2

(b−a) ²
Var(x) =
12
Exercise
1. The random variable x is known to be uniformly distribute between 1,0 and 1,5.
a. Show the graph of the probability density function
b. Find P(x = 1,25)
c. Find P(1,0 ≤ x ≤ 1,25)
d. Find P(1,20 < x <1.5)

Answer:
1
1,5−1.0
a. F(x) = ∫ for 1,0 ≤ x ≥1,5
0

b. P = 1,25(2) = 2,5

c. P = 0,25(2) = 0,5

d. P = 0,2(2) = 0,4

2. The random variable x is known to be uniformly distribute between 10 and 20.

a. Show the graph of the probability density function
b. Find P(x <15)
c. Find P(12 ≤ x ≤18)
d. Find E(x)
e. Find Var(x)

Answer:
1
20−10
a. F(x) = ∫ for 20 ≤ x ≥ 10
0

b. P = 4(⅟₁₀) = 0,4

c. P = 7(⅟₁₀) = 0,7
 10+20
d. E(x) = =15
2

(20−10)²
e. Var(x) = =8,33
12

3. Delta Airlines quotes a flight time of 2 hours,5 minutes for its flight from Cincinnati to Tampa.
Suppose we believe that actual flight times are uniformly distributed between 2 hours and 2
hours,20 minutes.

1
20
a. F(x) = ∫ for 120 ≤ x ≥ 140
0

f(x)

120 125 130 135 140

Flight Time in Minutes

b. P = 15(1/20) = 15/20 = 0,75

c. P = 5(1/20) = 5/20 = 0,4

d. P = 20(1/20) = 20/20 = 1

4. Most computer languages have a function that can be used to generate random number.

In Excel,the RAND function can be used to generate random numbers between 0 an 1. If

we let x denote a random number generated,then x is a continuous random variable

with the following probability density function.

 1

F(x) = ∫ for 0 ≤ x ≥ 1
0

Elsewhere