11

Probability and
Statistics
Quarter 3 – Module 2:
Solving Problems Involving
Mean and Variance of
Probability Disrtributions
Statistics and Probability – Grade 11
Quarter 3 – Module 2: Solving Problems Involving Mean and Variance of
Probability Distributions
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education – Region XI

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 11

Probability and
Statistics
Quarter 3 – Module 2:
Solving Problems Involving Mean
and Variance of Probability
Distributions
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use
this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning at home. Furthermore, you are
expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included
in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different activities
in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be reminded of
the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module,
do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that
you are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will experience
meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant
competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to
help you master the concepts of Mean and Variance of Discrete Random
Variable and Probability Distributions. It also includes normal random
variable and its characteristics.

The scope of this module permits you to navigate in many different

learning situations. The lessons are 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.

This module is all about Solving and Interpreting the Mean and
Variance of Probability Distribution.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. illustrate the mean and variance of a discrete random variable
(M11/12SP-IIIb-1).
2. calculate the mean and variance of a discrete random variable
(M11/12SP-IIIb-2).
3. interpret the mean and variance of discrete random variable
(M11/12SP-IIIb-3).
4. solve problems involving mean and variance of probability
distributions (M11/12SP-IIIb-4).

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 Let Us Try

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

1. The numerical quantity that is assigned to the outcome of an

experiment is called ______.
a. sample space
b. variable
c. sample
d. random Variable

2. The one that can assume only a countable number of values is known
as ______.
a. continuous random variable
b. discrete random variable
c. sample Space
d. random Variable

3. The random variable that can assume an infinite number of values in

one or more intervals is called ______.
a. continuous random variable
b. discrete random variable
c. sample Space
d. random Variable

4. The discrete random variable is generated from an experiment in which

things are counted but not measured.
a. True
b. False
c. Neither
d. Either

5. The following statements are examples of discrete random variable,

except,
a. the number of senators present in the franchise hearing
b. the number of chalks in the box
c. the number of frontliners who are positive of COVID-19
d. the length of wire ropes

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6. The following statements are examples of continuous random variable,
except,
a. the area of lots in a subdivision
b. the time it takes the virus stay on surfaces
c. the number of learners who joined the online class
d. the weight of newborn babies for the month of May

7. The correspondence that assigns probabilities to the values of a random

variable.
a. Probability Distribution
b. Random Variable
c. Continuous Random Variable
d. Discrete Random Variable

8. It is a graph that displays the possible values of discrete random

variable on the horizontal axis and the probabilities of those values on
the vertical axis.
a. Bar graph
b. Line Graph
c. Pie Chart
d. Probability histogram

9. It associates to any given number the probability that the random

variable will be equal to that number.
a. Probability Mass Function
b. Probability histogram
c. Continuous Random Variable
d. Discrete Random Variable

10. The set of all possible outcomes of an experiment.

a. Sample space
b. Variable
c. Sample
d. Random Variable

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 Lesson Solving and Interpreting the
Mean and Variance of
1 Probability Distributions

You have learned in your previous topics the different classifications of

random variables. You have also learned how to find possible values of a given
random variable and illustrate the probability distribution and its properties.
In addition, you have learned how to illustrate and calculate the mean and
variance of a discrete random variable. In this module, you will appreciate
more the importance of discrete random variable by interpreting its mean and
variance. You will also learn more about probability distribution and will get
an idea about a normal random variable.

Let Us Study

Activity 1. The table below shows the values of ripe mangoes and the number
of occurrences of each value of the random variable. Determine the probability
of the following values of the random variable R.

Number of Ripe Number of Occurrence Probability

Mangoes (Values of R) (Frequency) P(R))

3 1

2 3

1 3

0 1

Total 8

If three mangoes are taken one after the other from a basket which contain
10 ripe and 4 unripe mangoes.
1. What is the probability that you will get 3 ripe mangoes?

2. What is the probability that you will get 2 ripe mangoes?

3. What is the probability that you will get 1 ripe mango?

4. What is the probability that you will not get ripe mango?

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 5. How did you determine each of the probabilities?

Activity 2: Two balls are drawn in succession without replacement from a jar
containing 4 green balls and 3 orange balls. What is the probability
distribution for the number of green balls? Then, solve for the mean, variance,
and the standard deviation of the probability distribution.

Solution:

List the sample space of this experiment. Let G be a random variable

whose values are the possible number of green balls that can be drawn from
a jar. Then, we let O be a random variable whose values are the possible
number of orange balls that can be drawn from a jar.

S = {GG, GO, OG, OO}

Since, we are looking for the probability of the random variable G, we

need to identify the number of G in each outcome. So, we have,

Outcome Number of Green Balls (Value of G)

GG 2

GO 1

OG 1

OO 0

After finding the number of random variable G in each outcome,

determine the frequency of each identified value of random variable G.

Number of Green Balls (Value of G) Frequency

2 1

1 2

0 1

Total 4

Now, you can identify the probability of each value of the random
variable G and the probability distribution by dividing the frequency of each
random variable to the total frequency.

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 Number of Green Balls (Value of G) Frequency Probability P(G)
1
2 1
4
2 1
1 2 or
4 2

1
0 1
4

Total 4 1

Therefore, the probability distribution of the random variable G can be

written as follows:

G 2 1 0
1 2 1
P(G)
4 4 4

What is the value of the Mean?

To easily get the value of the mean, the next table will be helpful.

G P(G) G • P(G)

1 1
2
4 2
2 1
1
4 2
1
0 0
4

Now, we can get the mean or expected value of the probability

distribution by getting the sum of the values under the third column.

We use the formula:

𝜇 = ∑[𝐺• 𝑃(𝐺 )]
where,

µ = mean
G = number of GREEN BALL/S in each outcome
P(G) = the probability of getting GREEN BALL/S in each outcome
∑[𝐺• 𝑃(𝐺 )] = the summation of the product of G and P(G)

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 So, we have,

𝜇 = ∑[𝐺 • 𝑃(𝐺 )] formula of the mean

1 1
𝜇= + +0 Substitute the values of 𝑋• 𝑃(𝑋)
2 2

𝜇= 1 mean

The mean of the probability distribution is 1. This implies that in the long
run, we expect that the average number of green balls that can be drawn from
a jar will be 1.

What is the value of the Variance?

So, let’s proceed in finding the value of the variance. To easily get the
value of the variance, the next table will be helpful.

G P(G) 𝐆𝟐 𝐆𝟐 • 𝐏(𝐆)

1
2 4 1
4
2 1
1 1
4 2
1
0 0 0
4

The table above shows the values of variable G in the first column,
probability of random variable G in the second column, square of each value
of the random variable G in the third column, and the product of the
probability and the square of each random variable G in the last column.
Now, we can find the variance by applying the formula and substituting
the values in the table.
We use the formula:
ơ2 =∑[G2 • P(G)] - µ2
where,
ơ2 = 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
µ2 = the square of the mean
𝐺 2 = the square of the number of GREEN BALL/S in each outcome
P(G) = the probability of getting GREEN BALL/S in each outcome

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 So, we have,

𝜎2 = ∑[𝐺 2 •𝑃 (𝐺 )] − 𝜇 2 formula of the variance

1
𝜎2 = ( 1 + + 0 ) – (1)2 substitute the values
2

𝜎2 = 1.5 – 1 simplify

𝜎2 = 0.5 Variance

The variance of the probability distribution is 0.5. This implies that the
distribution of the random variable G is narrowly concentrated around the mean
since our variance is relatively small.

What is the value of the Standard Deviation?

To get the value of standard deviation. We just continue to evaluate the
value of our variance. So, we have,

𝜎2 = ∑[𝐺 2 • 𝑃(𝐺 )] − 𝜇 2 formula of the variance

1
𝜎2 = ( 1 + + 0 ) – (1)2 substitute the values
2

𝜎2 = 1.5 – 1 simplify

𝜎2 = 0.5 Variance

𝜎 = √0.5 = 0.7071 Standard Deviation

The standard deviation of the probability distribution is 0.7071. This

implies that on the average number of green balls that can be drawn from a jar
is 0.7071 from the mean of 1.

Let Us Practice

Activity 1. Find the mean of the given probability distribution below.

X P(X)

3
2
10
2
3
5
1
4
5
1
5
10

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 To easily get the value of the mean, the next table will be helpful.

X P(X) X • P(X)

3 3
2
10 5
2 6
3
5 5
1 4
4
5 5
1
5 1
10
2

Now, we can get the mean or expected value of the probability

distribution by getting the sum of the values under the third column.

𝜇 = ∑[𝑋•𝑃(𝑋)] formula of the mean

3 6 4 1
𝜇= + + + Substitute values of 𝑋 ∗ 𝑃(𝑋)
5 5 5 2

𝜇 = 3.1 mean

The mean of the probability distribution is 3.1. This implies that in the
long run, we expect that the average number is 3.1.

Activity 2. Refer to activity 1. Find the variance and standard deviation of

the given probability distribution.

𝑋2 𝑋2 • 𝑃(𝑋)
X P(X)
3
2 4 1.2
10
2
3 9 3.6
5
1
4 16 3.2
5
1
5 25 2.5
10

The table above shows the values of the variable X in the first column,
probability of random variable X in the second column, square of each value
of the random variable X in the third column, and the product of the
probability and the square of each random variable X in the last column.

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 Now, we can find the variance by applying the formula and substituting
the values in the table.

𝜎2 = ∑[𝑋 2 •𝑃 (𝑋 )] − 𝜇 2 formula of the variance

𝜎2 = ( 1.2 + 3.6 + 3.2 + 2.5 ) – (3.1)2 substitute the values

𝜎2 = 10.5 – 9.61 simplify

𝜎2 = 0.89 Variance

𝜎 = √0.89 or 0.9434 Standard Deviation

The variance of the probability distribution is 0.89. The standard

deviation of the probability distribution is 0.9434. This implies that on the
average, there will be 0.9434 units from the mean of 3.1.

Let Us Practice More

Answer each of the following problems.

1. The probabilities that a traffic inspector will discover violations of the
Traffic Code in Davao City are given in the following table.

Number of Violations (X) Probability P(X)

0 0.41

1 0.22

2 0.17

3 0.13

4 0.05

5 0.02

a. Solve for the mean and variance.

b. Interpret the mean and the variance of the problem.

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2. The following data show the probability distribution of the number of
Android Cellular Phones sold daily in the Inday CP Shop during the past
several months.
Number of Android Phones (X) Probability P(X)

0 0.10

1 0.20

2 0.45

3 0.15

4 0.05

5 0.05

a. Find the mean and variance of the probability distribution.

b. Interpret the mean and the variance of the problem.

Let Us Remember

Fill in the blanks of the following statements. Write your answer on a

separate sheet of paper.
1. The mean of the probability distribution of the number of personal
computers sold daily in the PC World Shop is 2. This implies that in
the________, we expect that the _________of personal computers that will be
sold in PC World Shop will be _________.

2. The variance of the probability distribution of the number of personal

computers sold daily in the PC World Shop is 1.40. This implies that the
distribution of the random variable is narrowly concentrated around the
________ since our variance is ____________.

3. The standard deviation of the probability distribution of the number of

personal computers sold daily in the PC World Shop is 1.18. This implies that
on the _________, the number of personal computers sold daily is ______ from
the mean of ___________.

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What is a Mean?
The mean of a probability distribution tells us the value of a random
variable that we assume to get if the test is done repeatedly. In other words,
if the experiment or process is repeated long enough, there is the likelihood
or chance that the average of the outcomes will begin to approach the mean
value.

The mean value or expected value of discrete probability distribution is

the summation of the product of values of the random variable and the
probability values of the random variable.

µ = ∑ (X · P(X))
where,
µ = mean
X = value of the random variable
P(X) = the probability value of the random variable

What is a Variance?
The variance of a discrete random variable is a measure of spread for a
distribution of a random variable that determines the degree to which the
values of a random variable differ from the mean value. It is often written as
𝜎 2 or Var(X).

The variance of discrete probability distribution is the difference of the

mean and the summation of the product of the square values of the random
variable and the probability values of the random variable.

ơ2 =∑ (X2 · P(X)) - µ2
where,
ơ2 = 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
µ = mean
X = value of the random variable
P(X) = the probability value of the random variable

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What is a Standard Deviation?
The standard deviation of a probability distribution indicates how far,
on the average, an observed value of a random variable X is from its mean. It
is often written as 𝜎.

The standard deviation of discrete probability distribution is the square

root of the variance of random variable X.

ơ = √∑ (X2 · P(X)) − µ2
where,
ơ2 = 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
µ = mean
X = value of the random variable
P(X) = the probability value of the random variable

Take note, the smaller the standard deviation (or variance), the more
likely that an observed value of the random variable will be closed to its mean.
On the other hand, the larger the standard deviation (or variance) means that
the distribution is spread out, with some chance of observing values at some
distance from the mean.

Let Us Assess
Davao City National High School has six telephone lines. For the past
months, the probability distribution of the random variable Y which
represents the number of busy lines per day is shown in the table below.

Y P(Y)
0 0.052
1 0.154
2 0.232
3 0.240
4 0.174
5 0.105
6 0.043

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 a. What is the probability that exactly four telephone lines are busy in a
day?
b. What is the probability that, at least three telephone lines busy in a
day?
c. What is the probability that the number of busy telephone lines in a
day is at least two but at most four?
d. What is the probability that at least one telephone line is busy in a day?
e. What is the expected value and variance? Interpret your answer.

Let Us Enhance

In one of the banks in Davao City, the number of tellers (X) are busy
with customers at 12:00 noon that varies from day to day. Past records
indicate the probability distribution of X below,

Number of Tellers (X) Probability P(X)

0 0.095

1 0.265

2 0.285

3 0.205

4 0.150

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the probability that exactly two tellers are busy at 12:00
noon?
2. What is the probability that at least three tellers are busy at 12:00
noon?
3. What is the probability that fewer than the four tellers are busy at
12:00 noon?
4. What is the probability that, at least to two, but fewer than four
tellers are busy at 12:00 noon?
5. Solve and interpret the mean and variance of the probability
distribution?

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 Let Us Reflect

A. Complete the following statements. Write your answer on a separate sheet

of paper.

1. Mean is
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________.

2. Variance is
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________.

3. Standard deviation is
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________.

In real-life, it is essential for us to infer and choose on situations in

which there are different probabilities of event in the result. Our decisions
usually influence by considering the probability of the desired outcome.
Unknowingly, we describe the outcome of our actions or experiments and
other recurring events based on these theoretical concepts, namely: mean,
variance and standard deviation. These theoretical concepts are important in
statistics and in other fields.
Some other real-life applications are the following: studies on the
progress of a school, studies on the performance of the students, studies on
the marketability of a product, making a feasibility study, identifying the
population of the marginalized sector in Davao City, identifying the desired
brand of COVID-19 vaccine of the community and many others.

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 16
Let Us Enhance Let Us Assess
a. P(X)=0.285 a. P(Y)=0.174
b. P(X)=0.355 b. P(Y)=0.562
Let us Try
c. P(X)=0.85 c. P(Y)=0.646
1. D
d. P(X)=0.49 d. P(Y)=0.948
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. D
Let Us Practice More Let Us Study
6. C
1. 1. 1/8
a. µ = 1.25, 𝜎 2 = 2.12 7. A
2. 3/8
2. 3. 3/8 8. D
a. µ = 2, 𝜎 2 = 3.4 9. A
4. 1/8
10. A
Answer Key
 References

Ergle, W. D., & Walpole, R. E. (2006). Introduction to Statistics. 3rd Edition.

Singapore: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.
Ocampo, J. M., & Marquez, W. G. (2016). Conceptual Math and Beyond,
Statistics and Probability. Philippines: Brilliant Creations Publishing,
Inc.
Walpole, R., Myers, R. H., Myers, S. L., & Ye, K. (2007). Scientists & Engineers,
Guide to Probabiity & Statistics. 8th Edition. Singapore: Pearson
Education, Inc.
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region XI

F. Torres St., Davao City

Telefax:

Email Address: lrms.regionxi@deped.gov.ph