Introduction to

random variables
Random Variable
 Random Variable

Continuous
Discrete random
random variable
variable can assume a can assume any value
countable number of along a given interval of a
values. number line.
– Number of steps to – The time a tourist
the top of the Eiffel stays at the top
Tower
once s/he gets there
3
 Random Variable
Discrete random Continuous random
variables variables
– Number of sales – Length
– Number of calls – Depth
– Shares of stock – Volume
– People in line – Time
– Mistakes per page – Weight
 Random Variable
1. X= number of points scored in the last season
by randomly selected basketball player in PBA
2. Y = the height of a randomly selected student
inside the library in centimeter
3. X= number of birds in a nest
4. Y = the weights in kg of randomly selected
dancers after taking up aerobics
 Discrete Probability
Distribution
Listing of all possible Properties of
values of a discrete DPD
0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑥) ≤ 1
random variable
along with their !𝑃 𝑥 = 1
corresponding
probabilities
Probability Histogram

Graph of a discrete
probability distribution
Illustrative Examples

x 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2
 Illustrative Examples
The given spinner is divided
into four sections. Let X be the
score where the arrow will stop.
Find the possible values of the 1
25%
2
25%

random variable X. Construct 3 4

the discrete probability 25% 25%

distribution of the random

variable X. Draw the histogram
of the random variable X.
1 2
25% 25%

3 4
25% 25%
Illustrative Examples
Let X be the sum of the
outcomes in throwing two dice
simultaneously. Find the
possible values of the random
variable X. Construct the
discrete probability distribution
of the random variable X. Draw
the histogram of the random
variable X.
Illustrative Examples
Toss a fair coin twice and let X be
equal to the number of heads
(H) observed. Find the possible
values of the random variable X.
Construct the discrete
probability distribution of the
random variable X. Draw the
histogram of the random
variable X.
Mean, variance,
and standard
deviation of a
discrete random
variable
Expected Value/ Mean

A researcher surveyed the households in a small

town. The random variable X represents the number
of college graduates in the household. The
probability distribution of X is shown below:
x 0 1 2
P(x) 0.25 0.50 0.25

Find the mean or expected value of X.

 x 0 1 2
P(x) 0.25 0.50 0.25
Expected Value/ Mean
A security guard recorded the number of people
entering the bank every hour during one working
day. The random variable X represents the number
of people who entered the bank. The probability
distribution of X is shown below.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1
What is the expected number of people who enters
the bank every hour?
 x 0 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1
Variance and Standard Deviation
1. A discrete random variable X has this probability
distribution.
x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.12 0.25 0.18 0.35 0.10
Find the variance and standard deviation of X.
2. Find the variance and standard deviation of the
given probability distribution.
x 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.15 0.38 0.33 0.14
 x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.12 0.25 0.18 0.35 0.10
 x 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.15 0.38 0.33 0.14
Thank
you J