Statistics and

Probability
Quarter 3 – Module 3:
Finding Possible Values of a
Random Variable

CO_Q3_Statistics and Probability SHS

Module 3
Statistics and Probability
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 3: Finding Possible Values of a Random Variable
First Edition, 2021

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 Statistics and
Probability
Quarter 3 – Module 3:
Finding Possible Values of a
Random Variable
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each

SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you
need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of
the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check
your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you
will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the process of finding the possible values of a random variable. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language
used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lesson is arranged to
follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them
can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module has one lesson:

• Lesson 1 – Finding Possible Values of a Random Variable

After going through this module, you are expected to find possible values of random
variables.

What I Know

Before studying this module, take this pre-test to find out how much you already
know about the topic covered. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

1. A quantity resulting from an experiment by chance that can assume

different values is called ________________.
A. Random sample
B. Random variable
C. Random process
D. Random experiment

2. Which of the following is NOT a true statement?

A. Random variables can only have one value.
B. The value of a random variable could be zero.
C. The probability of all the value of a random variable could be zero.
D. The sum of all the probabilities in a probability distribution is
always equal to one.

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 3. If a coin is tossed, what are the possible values of the random variable for the
number of heads?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

For numbers 4 - 9. Suppose you tossed two coins.

4. What is the sample space for the experiment above?

A. {HH, TT}
B. {HH, HT, TT}
C. {HH, HT, TT}
D. {HH, HT, TT, TH}

5. How many possible outcomes will occur from the experiment above?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

6. What are the possible values of the random variable for the number of
heads?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

7. What are the possible values of the random variable for the number of tails?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

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8. Which of the following is NOT a possible value of the random variable for the
number of heads?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

9. Which of the following is NOT a possible value of the random variable for the
number of tails?
A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 1

For numbers 10 – 11. You decide to conduct a survey of families with two
children. You are interested in counting the number of girls (out of 2 children) in
each family.

10. Is the above experiment “counting the number of girls (out of 2 children) in
each family” a random variable?
A. Yes, it is a random variable.
B. No, it is not a random variable.
C. Maybe, it is a random variable.
D. It cannot be determined.

11. If the experiment above shows a random variable, then what are the possible
values of it?
A. Its value can be 1 or 2.
B. Its value can be 0, 1, or 2.
C. Its value can be 2 or 4.
D. None, since it is not a random variable.

12. In a local community, a couple was asked, “Are you satisfied with the work of
the current president?” If the husband and the wife both said “yes”, the
response is written as YY. If the husband said yes and the wife said “no”, the
response is YN. If X is the number of “yes” responses, what are the possible
values of the random variables?
A. 0, 1, 2
B. 1, 1, 2
C. 1, 2, 3
D. 2, 3, 4

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For numbers 13 - 15. Suppose two laptops are tested. Let D represent the defective
laptop and N represent the non-defective laptop.

13. What is the possible sample space for the experiment?

A. {DD, NN}
B. {DD, DN, NN}
C. {DD, ND, NN}
D. {DD, DN, NN, ND}

14. How many possible outcomes will occur from the experiment?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

15. If we let X be the random variable representing the number of defective

laptops, what are the possible values of the random variable?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

Well, what do you think about the pre-test? Did you do well? Compare your answers
with those in the Answer Key on the last part of this module to find out your level of
performance in this test. If all your answers are correct, then it’s excellent! This
shows that you already know much about the topic. You may skip this module and
proceed to the next module.

If you got a low score or missed a point, it’s ok. This module was made to help you
understand important concepts about random variables that you can apply in your
daily life. If you study this module carefully, you will learn the answers to all the
items in the test and a lot more!

Are you ready? Let’s begin your journey.

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 Lesson
Finding Possible Values of a
1 Random Variable
We first learned about the definition of variables in the introduction of Algebra, and
we know from our Algebra lessons that a variable is a placeholder for real number
values that can be assigned to it. Some examples of variables include X for the
number of tails or Y for the number of computers or Z for running time of movies.

If three coins are tossed, what numbers can be assigned for the frequency of heads
that will occur? If three cards are drawn from a deck, what number can be assigned
for the frequency of face cards that will occur? These questions may be answered
using random variables which you will learn in this module.

What’s In

Recall that a variable is an attribute that can assume different values. We use letters
to denote or represent a variable. In this lesson, we shall discuss variables that
resulted from an experiment by chance called random variables..

To find out if you are ready to learn this new lesson, try to determine whether each
of the following experiments/situations involved discrete or a continuous random
variable.

1. Choosing an even number less than 100.

2. Tallying the number of households in a subdivision that has at least one
vehicle.
3. Gathering information about the average monthly income of a
household.
4. Ranking teacher applicants in the Division of Quezon.
5. Recording the number of patients who recovered from COVID-19.

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 Notes to the Teacher
To be able to arrive in an accurate and similar answer, the teacher
must advise the learners to read about: key concepts on discrete
and continuous random variables.

What’s New

To understand how one finds possible values of random variables, do the activity
below.

Suppose two iPhones are tested at random. We want to find out the
number of defective iPhones. Thus, to each outcome in the sample space we shall
assign a value. These are 0, 1, or 2. If there is no defective iPhone, we assign the
number 0; if there is 1 defective iPhone, we assign the number 1; and 2, if there
are two defective iPhones. The number of defective iPhones is a random variable.
The possible values of this random variable are 0, 1, and 2.

iPhone 1 iPhone 2

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Read and analyze the given situation below.
Illustration

Let D represent the defective iPhone and N for the non-defective iPhone. If we let Y
be the random variable representing the number of defective iPhone, show the values
of the random variable Y. Complete the table below to show the values of the random
variable.

Value of the Random Variable Y

Possible Outcomes
(number of defective iPhone)

The completed table should look like this.

Value of the Random Variable Y

Possible Outcomes
(number of defective iPhones)

DD 2

NN 0

DN 1

ND 1

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Now, it's your turn.

Suppose three laptops are tested at random. We want to find out the number of non-
defective laptops. Thus, to each outcome in the sample space, we shall assign a value.
These are 0, 1, 2, or 3. If there is no defective laptop, we assign the number 0; if there
is one non-defective laptop, we assign the number 1; if there are two non-defective
laptops, we assign the number 2 and 3, if there are three non-defective laptops. The
number of non-defective laptops is a random variable. Let D represent the defective
laptop and N represent the non-defective laptop. If we let X be the random variable
representing the number of non-defective laptops, show the values of the random
variable X. Complete the table below to show the values of the random variable.

Value of the Random Variable X

Possible Outcomes (number of non-defective laptops)

This time, you need to reflect on the following questions because it will help you
understand the appropriate way in finding the possible values of a random variable.
Answer the following questions:

1. How do you find the activity?

2. Were you able to complete the table? If yes, how? If no, why?
3. Will you be able to find the values of a random variable? If yes,
how? If no, why?
4. In your own words, how will you describe a random variable?
5. How do you find the possible values of a random variable?

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 What is It

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 Y
(number of defective iPhone) are 0, 1, and 2 while the possible values of random
variable X (number of non-defective laptops) are 0, 1, 2, and 3.

Example 1. Suppose two coins are tossed, let Z be the random variable representing
the number of heads that occur. Find the values of the random variable Z.

Steps Solution

1. Determine the sample space.

The sample space for this experiment is:
Let H represent heads and T
S = {TT, TH, HH, HT}
represent tails.

2. Count the number of heads in

each outcome in the sample
space and assign this number
to this outcome. Value of the
Possible Outcomes Random variable Z
(Number of heads)

TT 0

TH 1

HH 2

HT 1

Therefore, the possible values of the random variable Z are 0, 1, and 2.

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Example 2. In a box are two balls - one white and one yellow. Two balls are picked
one at a time with replacement. Let X be the random variable representing the
number of white balls. Find the values of the random variable X.

Steps Solution

1. Determine the sample space. Let

The sample space for this experiment is:
W represent the white ball and Y
S = {WW, YY, WY, YW}
for the yellow ball.

Value of the
random variable X
Possible Outcomes
(Number of white
balls)
2. Count the number of white balls in
each outcome in the sample space
and assign this number to this
outcome. WW 2

YY 0

WY 1

YW 1

Therefore, the possible values of the random variable X are 0, 1, and 2.

What’s More

Independent Activity 1. Understanding Possible Values of Random

Variables
Answer the following questions.
1. How do you find the values of a random variable?
2. How is this variable, as described in Algebra, similar to a random variable?
How do they differ?

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Independent Assessment 1
Two cards are drawn from a deck. How many possible values can each of the
following variables take?

1. sum of the numbers on the cards.

2. number of times both cards are black.
3. number of times both cards are 7s.
4. number of times the first card is six and the second card is red.
5. number of times the first card is face card and the second card is not a
face card.

Independent Activity 2. Getting Balls from a Box

Two balls are picked in succession without replacement - four white balls and five
green balls. Let Y be the random variable representing the number of green balls.
Find the values of the random variable Y. Complete the table below.

Value of Random Variable Y

Possible Outcomes
(number of green balls)

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Independent Assessment 2
Four coins are toss. Let Y be the random variable representing the number of
tails that occur. Find the values of the random variable Y.

Value of Random Variable Y

Possible Outcomes
(number of tails)

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 What I Have Learned

Give your answer in the following statements.

1. A ______________________ is a set of possible values from a random experiment. For

example, in tossing a coin, we can either get heads or tails; such tossing a coin is
an experiment where we can give values for such event.

2. A ______________________ is one that may take on only a countable number of

distinct values such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. This variable is usually (but not
necessarily) counts. It is a random variable that can take only a finite number of
distinct values.

3. To find the values of a random variable, we have to follow these steps: first, list all
______________________ in sample space; second, find the ______________________
for each simple event; third, list the possible values for a random variable X and
identify the value for each simple event; and finally, find all simple events for
which X = k, for each possible value k.

What I Can Do

This time, it’s your turn to shine. Answer the problem below.

The households of a local community were surveyed about the number of occupants
who are working. It was found out that 25 households have one occupant working,
18 have two occupants working, 12 have three occupants working, and five have four
occupants working. Let X be the number of occupants working from a randomly
selected household. What are the possible values for the random variable?

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 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. A set of numerical values assigned to a sample space is called:

A. Random sample.
B. Random process.
C. Random variable.
D. Random experiment.

2. Which of the following is a true statement?

A. Random variables can only have one value.
B. The value of a random variable could not be zero.
C. The probability of all the value of a random variable could be
zero.
D. The sum of all the probabilities in a probability distribution is
not equal to one.

3. If a coin is tossed, what are the possible values of the random variable for the
number of tails?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

For numbers 4 - 9. Suppose you tossed three coins.

4. What is the sample space for the experiment above?

A. {HHH, TTT}
B. {TTT, HHH, TTH, THT, HTH}
C. {TTT, HHH, HHT, THT, HTH}
D. {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, HHT, HTH, THH, HHH}

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5. How many possible outcomes will occur from the experiment above?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8

6. What are the possible values of the random variable for the number of
heads?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

7. What are the possible values of the random variable for the number of tails?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

8. Which of the following is NOT a possible value of the random variable for the
number of heads?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

9. Which of the following is NOT a possible value of the random variable for the
number of tails?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

For numbers 10 - 11. You decide to conduct a survey of families with two children.
You are interested in counting the number of boys (out of 2 children) in each
family.

10. Is the above experiment “counting the number of boys (out of two children)
in each family” a random variable?
A. Yes, it is a random variable.
B. No, it is not a random variable.
C. Maybe, it is a random variable.
D. It cannot be determined.

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 11. If the statement above shows a random variable, then what are the possible
values?
A. Its value can be 1 or 2.
B. Its value can be 0, 1, or 2.
C. Its value can be 2 or 4.
D. None, since it is not a random variable.

For numbers 12 - 13. Suppose two balls are drawn in succession without
replacement from an urn containing six blue balls and five red balls.

12. How many possible outcomes will occur from the experiment?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8

13. Let Z be the random variable representing the number of blue balls.
What are the possible values of the random variable?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

For numbers 14 - 15. Suppose three laptops are tested. Let D represent the defective
laptop and N for the non-defective laptop.

14. How many possible outcomes will occur from the experiment?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 8
D. 9

15. If we let X be the random variable representing the number of

non-defective laptops, what are the possible values of the random variable?
A. 0, 1
B. 0, 1, 2
C. 0, 1, 2, 3
D. 1, 2, 3

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 Additional Activities

Answer the following.

An umbrella - check girl returns two umbrellas at random to two customers who had
previously checked in, namely Andrea and Althea. If Andrea’s umbrella was black
and Althea’s umbrella was yellow:
1. list the elements of the sample space, S - all possible orders in which the
umbrellas can be returned, and;

2. list all possible values of the random variable X, the number of correct
matches.

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 Module 3
CO_Q3_Statistics and Probability SHS 18
What I Know What’s In
1. B 6. B 11. B 1. Discrete
2. A 7. B 12. A 2. Discrete
3. A 8. D 13. D 3. Continuous
4. Discrete
4. D 9. A 14. D
5. Discrete
5. C 10. A 15. B
What's New
Value of the Random Variable X
Possible Outcomes
(number of non - defective laptops
DDD 0
NNN 3
DDN 1
NND 2
DNN 2
NDD 1
DND 1
NDN 2
Reflection:
1. Answer may vary. You may answer whether easy, average, or difficult.
2. Answer may vary. If your answer is yes, you probably completed the
table by following the first example. If not completed, you probably
didn’t understand the example.
3. Answer may vary. If your answer is yes, you probably count the number
of N that occurred in each possible outcomes, otherwise your answer
must be no.
4. Answer may vary. A random variable is a numerical quantity that is
derived from the outcomes of random experiments.
5. Answer may vary.
Possible answer:
Step 1: List all simple events in sample space.
Step 2: Find probability for each simple event.
Step 3: List possible values for random variable X and identify the value
for each simple event.
Step 4: Find all simple events for which X = k, for each possible value k.
Answer Key
 Module 3
CO_Q3_Statistics and Probability SHS 19
What's More
Independent Activity 1
1.) Step 1: List all simple events in sample space.
Step 2: Find probability for each simple event.
Step 3: List possible values for random variable X and identify
the value for each simple event.
Step 4: Find all simple events for which X = k, for each possible value k.
2.) Similarity - They can take on assigned numerical values.
Difference- a) Random variables may take on assigned intervals instead
of numbers.
b) Each value of a random variable corresponds to a specific
probability, which is not the case in algebraic variables.
Independent Assessment 1
1. 17
2. 169
3. 12
4. 104
5. 160
Independent Activity 2
Value of Random Variable Y
Possible Outcomes
(number of green balls)
WW 0
WG 1
GW 1
GG 2
 Module 3
CO_Q3_Statistics and Probability SHS 20
What's More
Independent Assessment 2
Possible Value of Random Variable Y
Outcomes (number of tails)
HHHH 0
HHHT 1
HHTH 1
HHTT 2
HTHH 1
HTHT 2
HTTH 2
HTTT 3
THHH 1
THHT 2
THTH 2
THTT 3
TTHH 2
TTHT 3
TTTH 3
TTTT 4
 Module 3
CO_Q3_Statistics and Probability SHS 21
Additional Activity Assessment
1. S = {BB, BY, YB, YY} 1. C
2. D
2. Possible values of a random 3. A
variable: 0, 1, 2. 4. D
5. D
6. D
7. D
8. D
9. D
10. A
11. B
12. B
13. B
14. D
15. C
What I Have Learned What I Can Do
1. Random Variable
The possible values of the random
2. Discrete Random
Variable variable are 1, 2, 3, and 4.
3. Possible Outcomes
Value of Random
Variables
References

Belencia, Rene R., Baccay, Elisa S., and Mateo, Efren B. (2016). Statistics and
Probability. Rex Book Store Inc. (RBSI).

Melosantos, Luis Allan B., Antonio, Janice E., Robles, Susan S., and Bruce, Ryan
M. (2016). Math Connections in the Digital Age. Sibs Publishing House Inc.

Malate, Jose S. (2017). “Statistics and Probability”. Vicarish Publications and Trading
Inc

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