Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula
Division of Zamboanga del Norte
SINDANGAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte

Statistics and Probability

Quarter 3 – Module 2
Computing for The Mean and Variance of a Discrete Probability Distribution

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Name:___________________________________________Strand/Section:_________________________Date:________________

Computing the Mean and Variance of a Discrete Probability Distribution

Learning Competencies:
1. Illustrate the mean and variance of a discrete random variable.
2. Calculate the mean and variance of a discrete random variable.

The Mean of The Probability Distribution

The mean of a discrete random variable X is a weighted average of the possible values that the random variable can take.
Unlike the sample mean of a group of observations, which gives each observation equal weight, the mean of a random variable
weights each outcome xi according to its probability, pi. The common symbol for the mean (also known as the expected value of X)
is µ. The mean of a random variable with a discrete probability distribution is:

µ = X1 . P(X1) + X2 . P(X2) + X3 . P(X3) + …, + Xn . P(Xn) or

µ= ∑ X . P( X)
where:
X1, X2, X3, …, Xn are the values of the random variable X; and P(X1),P(X2),P(X3),…,P(Xn) are the corresponding probabilities.

To find the mean, we need to establish a valid probability distribution. To determine if the distribution is a valid probability
distribution, we must satisfy the two properties for the probability distribution of a discrete random variable which are as follows: (1)
the probability of each outcome is between 0 and 1, and (2) the sum of all the probabilities is equal to 1.

Computing the Mean of a Discrete Probability Distribution

Example 1:
A lot containing 7 components is sampled by a quality inspector; the lot contains 4 good components and 3 defective components. A
sample of 3 is taken by the inspector. Find the expected value of the number of good components in this sample.
X P(X) X P(X)
0 1/35 0
1 12/35 12/35
2 18/35 36/35
3 4/35 12/35
μ= E ( X )=∑ x f ( x )=1.7
Thus, if a sample of size 3 is selected at random over and over again from a lot of 4 good components and 3 defective
components, it will contain, on average, 1.7 good components.

Example2:

A bakeshop owner determines the number of boxes of pandesal that are delivered each day. Find the mean of the probability
distribution shown. If the manager stated that 35 boxes of pandesal were delivered in one day, do you think that this is a believable
claim?

Number of Boxes (X) Probability

P(X)

35 0.10
36 0.20
37 0.30
38 0.30
39 0.10

μ= E ( X )=∑ x f ( x )=37.1
Thus, the manager’s claim is unbelievable.

Computing the Variance of a Discrete Probability Distribution

Steps in Finding the Variance and Standard Deviation

1. Find the mean of the probability distribution.
2. Subtract the mean from each value of the random variable X.
3. Square the results obtained in Step 2.
4. Multiply the results obtained in Step 3 by the corresponding probability.
5. Get the sum of the results obtained in Step 4

Calculate the variance and standard deviation of a discrete probability distribution of Example #2.

Number of Boxes Probability X*P(X) ( X −μ) ( X −μ )2 ( X −μ )2∗P( X)

(X) P(X)
35 0.10 3.5 -2.1 4.41 0.441
36 0.20 7.2 -1.1 1.21 0.242
37 0.30 11.1 -0.1 0.01 0.003
38 0.30 11.4 0.9 0.81 0.243
39 0.10 3.9 1.9 3.61 0.361

μ= E ( X )=∑ x f ( x )=37.1 σ 2=∑ ( X −μ )2∗P ( X )=1.29

Formula for the Variance and Standard Deviation of a Discrete Probability Distribution

The variance of a discrete probability distribution is given by the formula:

σ2 = Σ(X - µ)2·P(X)

The standard deviation of a discrete probability distribution is given by the formula:

 where:
X = value of the random variable
P(X) = probability of the random variable X
µ = mean of the probability distribution

Assessment

Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which is used to describe the average or expected value of the items in a discrete probability distribution?

A) Mean B) Variance C) Standard Deviation D. Variable

2. What is the first step in finding the variance of a discrete probability distribution?

A) Calculate the standard deviation

B) Find the mean of the probability distribution
C) Subtract the mean from each value of the random variable X
D) Multiply the square of the difference of X and the mean by each value of the random variable.

For items 3-4, refer to the probability distribution below:

X 0 2 4 6 8

P(X) 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5

3. What is the mean of the probability distribution?

A) 1.5 B) 2.0 C) 3.5 D) 4.0

4. Which is the variance of the probability distribution?

A) 4.15 B) 6.35 C) 8.00 D) 9.50

5. Write the formula in finding the mean and variance of a discrete probability distribution.

Mean ____________________________ Variance _________________________________

References:

Graciano O. Gemeniano, 2021. Statistics & Probability Module. Quarter 3 – Module 2

Patrick G. Galleto, EdD. , Research Coordinator, College of Education. Jose Rizal Memorial State University . Main
Campus, Dapitan City. Powerpoint Presentation on Random Variables and Probability Distribution

Prepared by: LOURDES A. AMIT

General Mathematics Teacher
Sindangan NHS - SHS