Bautista, Dan Joshua A.

MATH 123A: Engineering Data Analysis

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering B147 | ENGR. UZZIEL ABIB GABIOLA, RCE

RESEARCH NO. 1
DISCRETE PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

1. What is discrete probability distribution?

 Discrete probability distribution refers to a probability in which contains discrete
variables that can be in random. Discrete variables are assumed having integral
values meaning whole number variables.
 The result must be satisfy the following:
 The result of each probability should be 0 <P(x)<1 between 0 and 1
inclusive. Meaning the probability of each values of discrete random
variable is in the proper fraction.
 ∑P(x)=1, the summation of each probability is equal to 1.

2. Differentiate discrete probability distribution to continuous probability

distribution.

As defined, discrete probability distribution is made up of discrete variables.

However, continuous probability distribution contains continuous variables.
Continuous variables are those in form of decimals or fraction.

For example: rolling a die and getting a probability of each number.

1,2,3,4,5,6 are numbers depict discrete variables. In this scenario, the problem
will give you discrete probability distribution; meaning, it has specific answer
or distinct.

Variables 1 2 3 4 5 6
Probability 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6

a. The probability of each trials is in the proper fraction or 0 <P(x)<1

b. 1/6+1/6+1/6+1/6+1/6+1/6= 1

While for example, guessing a weight of an individual between 150 to 200 lbs.
Weight has endless possibilities due to its decimal form.

If you choose 152.1 lbs, it is can be also the same as 152.11111 and
152.111111. Although, you don’t want to choose the two similar values but it
cannot change the fact that it is also one of the possibilities. This problem is a
continuous probability distribution.
Bautista, Dan Joshua A. MATH 123A: Engineering Data Analysis
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering B147 | ENGR. UZZIEL ABIB GABIOLA, RCE

3. Give methods of discrete probability distribution and its definition and

function.

 Binomial Experiment
 Is a method that has the following properties: the experience
consists of the repetition of number identical independent trials, has
two trial outcomes either success or failures, success is denoted by
p while q=1-p for failure, and the random variable x of interest is the
total number of success observe on the n trials.
 The function of this method is to identify the probability of getting
the x successes from the trials.
𝑛!
Formula: P(x successes) =𝑥!(𝑛−𝑥!) 𝑝 𝑥 𝑞𝑛−𝑥
 Hypergeometric Distribution
 The probability distribution of a hypergeometric random variable is
called a hypergeometric distribution. A hypergeometric random
variable is the number of successes that result from a
hypergeometric experiment.
 The function of this is to find the probability of getting the x
successes if the sample of size n is cannot be repeated or without
replacement.
N: The number of items in the population.
k: The number of items in the population that are classified as
successes.
n: The number of items in the sample.
x: The number of items in the sample that are classified as
successes.
kCx: The number of combinations of k things, taken x at a time.

Formula: P(x)= [ kCx ] [ N-k C n-x ] / [ NCn ]

 The Poisson Probability Distribution

 This method counts the number of successes in a fixed interval of
time or within specific region.
 The function is to find the probability of observing exactly x number
of occurrence per unit of measure (hour, minute, cubic, centimetre,
page) can be found using the formula:
𝔲𝑥 𝑒 −𝔲
P(x)= 𝑥!
Bautista, Dan Joshua A. MATH 123A: Engineering Data Analysis
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering B147 | ENGR. UZZIEL ABIB GABIOLA, RCE

4. Give atleast 2 example for each method stated in number 3.

 Binomial Experiment
Ex. 1: 80% of the graduates of a certain university who apply for particular
medical school are admitted. This year, four graduates from the said
university have applied for admission to the medical school. Finad the
probability that only two of them are accepted.
𝑛!
P(x successes) =𝑥!(𝑛−𝑥!) 𝑝 𝑥 𝑞𝑛−𝑥
n=4 x=2 p=80% q=1-p =100%-80%= 20% or .20
4!
𝑃 (2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑 ) = 2!(4−2)! (. 80)2 (.20)4−2 = 0.1536 𝑜𝑟 15.36%

Ex. 2: Suppose a die is tossed 5 times. What is the probability of getting

exactly 2 fours?

Solution: This is a binomial experiment in which the number of trials is

equal to 5, the number of successes is equal to 2, and the probability of
success on a single trial is 1/6 or about 0.167. Therefore, the binomial
probability is:

n=5 x=2 p=0.167 q=1-0.167= 0.833

5!
𝑃 (2 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠) = (. 167)2 (.833)5−2 = 0.161
2! (5 − 2)!
 Hypergeometric Distribution
Ex.1 Suppose an urn contains 7 balls with 3 red and 4 blue balls. If we are
to take 5 balls at random, what is the probability of selecting 2 red and 3
blue?
(3𝐶2)(4𝐶3) 3𝑥4 4
P(2 red and 3 blue balls)= (7𝐶5)
= 21
= 7 𝑜𝑟 .57

Ex.2 Suppose 5 card are randomly drawn without replacement from 52

deck of card. Find the probability of obtaining 3 red and 2 black cards.
26 are red cards and also 26 blacks cards composed in 52 card deck.
26C3=2600 ways
26C2=325 ways
52C5=2,598,960 ways

P(3 red and 2 black cards in 5 draws from 52 deck card)

(26C3)(26C2) 2600𝑥325
= = 2,598,960 = .3251
(52𝐶5)
Bautista, Dan Joshua A. MATH 123A: Engineering Data Analysis
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering B147 | ENGR. UZZIEL ABIB GABIOLA, RCE

 The Poisson Probability Distribution

Ex. 1 Records show that the probability a tire will suffer a blowout in the
next year is .001. If 200 tires are used for a year, what is the probability of
exactly 3 blowouts?

µ=np=200(.001)=0.2

.23 𝑒 −.2 .008 .008

P(3)= =6(𝑒 .2) = 6(1.2214) = 0.0011
3!

Ex.2 An average of 2 cars arrive at a highway tollgate every 10 seconds. If

the rate us approximated a Poisson process, what is the probability tht
exactly 3 cars will arrive in a 10 seconds period?
Substitute 2 for µand 3 for x
(23 )(𝑒 −2 ) (8)(.1353) 1.0824
P(x=3)= = = = 0.1804
3! 6 6

References

Stat Trek. 2021. Hypergeometric Distribution. Retrieved from:

https://stattrek.com/probability-distributions/hypergeometric.aspx

Stat Trek. 2021. Binomial Probability Distribution. Retrieved from:

https://stattrek.com/probability-
distributions/binomial.aspx#:~:text=A%20binomial%20random%20variable%20is,
is%20called%20a%20binomial%20distribution.&text=The%20mean%20of%20th
e%20distribution,*%20(%201%20%2D%20P%20).

Statistics How to. 30 April 2015. Discrete Probability Distribution: Definition & Examples.
Retrieved from: https://www.statisticshowto.com/discrete-probability-distribution/

Ymas, S.E. and Dayrit, B.C. 2012. College Statistics with Computer Applications. Ymas
Publishing House