CHAP II.

LAWS OF DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLES

II.1 BINOMIAL’S LAW

Activity 2 
1. Define and give the example of Binomial’s law?
2. What do you understand by Success and failure?
3. Give the probability of realizing K – events on Binomial’s law?
4. How do we calculate mathematics expectation, variance and standard deviation for Binomial’s
law?
5. Define the Bernoulli’s law and compare the Bernoulli’s law from Binomial’s law?
6. How do we calculate mathematics expectation, variance and standard deviation for Bernoulli’s
law?

II.1.1 Definitions and examples

 Let X be a discrete random variable. Let consider n- experiments of drawing. If the given
proof or experiment have been repeated n- times. We proceed to the success and failure
of the proof or of the experiment.

Let P be the probability of realizing the event/the experiment or P be the probability of success

 Let Q be the complementary probability to P. Q the probability of non realizing event/the

experiment or the probability of failure.

P and Q are complementary probability P+Q=1 ⇒ P=1- Q or Q=1- P II.1

 P is called a success: P=success and Q is called the failure Q: failure

 The parameters P and Q are the probabilities and they don’t change during all
experiments. The realization of the event E of the n- independent experiments obey the
law of the parameters n and P, the law is called the Binomial law of the parameters n and
P ,and it is written by β (n , p) II.2

Where n is the number of experiments and P the probability of successes one proof.
Examples: 1. Let toss a coin a coin four- times, Head or Tail are the possible way during all
1
experiments. n=4 and P= .Hence the experiment obey the binomial’s law of the parameters
2
1 1
n=4 and P=1/2 and it is written β (4 , ) where Q=1-P=1-1/2=
2 2

2. Peter has 8 questions of multiple choices; each question has 6 different answers where one is
true.

1
The probability of having a true answer is P= and the total questions are 8.Hence, the
6
1 1 5
experience obey a binomial ‘s law of the parameter n=8 and P= ⇒ β (8 , ) here Q=
6 6 6

II.1.2 Calculation of probability and presentations

 Let X be a discrete random variable which obey a Binomial’s law of the parameters n

and P. Let n be the total numbers of experiments and let realize k-experiments among n-
experiments (n>k). If k - possibilities are realized then, there will be a non realization of (n – k)
possibilities.

Let P be the probability of success and Q be the probability of failure. The probability of realize
k- experiment when X obey a binomial’s law of the parameters n and P is given by

()
P ( X=k )= n P Q
k
k n−k
II.3

Where Q=1-P : The probability of non realization of the experiment.

n
N.B :1 The binomial’s law obey the probability law ⇒ ∑ P ( x i )=1 , Hence
i=1

∑ (nk ) Pk Q n−k=1 II.4

k=0

2. The elementary probability are obtained by developing the Binomial theorem’s or the
Newton’s Binomial , this is reason why the law is called Binomial’s law.
3. Here are some presentations of the Binomial’s law.
II.2.3 Mathematics expectation
Let X be a discrete random variable which obey the Binomial’s law of the parameters n and P.
Let P be the probability of success and let n be the number of experiments. The mathematics
expectation of the Binomial’s law is the value E(X) defined by E(X)=n P II.5

II.2.4 Variance and Standard deviation

Let X be a discrete random variable which obey the Binomial’s law of the parameters n and P
such that β (n , p) , the variance of the Binomial’s law is the value Var(X) defined by

Var(X)=nPQ II.6

The standard deviation of the Binomial’s law: β (n , p) is the value SD(X) defined by

SD(X)=√ Var (X )= √ n PQ II.7

II.2.5 Examples and exercises

Example Exercises 
Example 1:A jar contains 7 white marbles and 3 red marbles. 4 marbles are drawn one by one
and by handing the drawn marbles before beginning the following draw, till we get the total
marbles. Let X be a random variable which represent the drawn white marbles.
a. Give the probability law.
b. Verify the law of probability.
c. Calculate mathematics expectation, the variance and the Standard deviation.
Solution
a. A jar with 7 white marbles and 3 red marbles: The total marbles are 10.
Let X be the drawn red marbles in 4 marbles drawn X={0, 1, 2, 3, 4} and the probability of
drawing a red marble is taken as success P=7 /10 , Here Q=1-7/10=3/ 10
7 3 7
n=4 P= ∧Q= Hence, the law is a Binomial’s law β ( n , p ) =β(4 , )
10 10 10
b. Let verify the probability law.
70 34
()
P ( X=0 )= 4 =
81
0 10 10 10000
 7 1 3 3 756
( )
P X=1 = 4
() =
1 10 10 10000
2 2

( 2 ) 107 103 = 10000

P ( X=2 )= 4
2646

3 1

( 3) 10 10 10000
P ( X=3 )= 4
7 3
=
4116

4 0

( 4 ) 107 103 = 10000

P ( X=4 )= 4
2401

n
The probability law is from ∑ n P Q =1
k=0 k
k n−k
()
⇒ P ( X=0 ) + P ( X=1 ) + P ( X=2 )+ P ( X =3 ) + P ( X=4 )=1
0 4 1 3 2 2 3 1 4 0
⇒ 4 ()
7 3
0 10 10
+ 4
7 3
()
1 10 10
+ 4
7 3
2 10 10
+ 4
7 3
()
3 10 10
+ 4
7 3
4 10 10
=1
() ()
81 756 2646 4116 2401 10000
⇒ + + + + = =1
10000 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000

c. E(X)=n P =4
7 28
= Var(X)=n PQ=4
7 3 84
= and SD(X)=
√ 84
10 10 10 10 100 10

Ex 2: The probability of replacing an electric bulb in a house with 5 rooms is 0.2. Let X be a
house with 5 bulbs. Calculate the probability of

a. Don’t change the bulb. b. Change all bulbs.

c. Change three bulbs d. Change at least 2 bulbs.

e. Change at most three bulbs. f. Change between 2 and 4 bulbs.

3. A player has 1 over 3 chance to gain. He plays 5 times. Calculate the probability of gaining

a. 3 times b. 5 times

c. at most a time. d . at least a time.

e. at least 3 times. f. at most 4 times

4. A person has 10 question with multiple choice and each question has 7 answers where one
answer of them is true. Calculate the probability of obtaining the following marks.

a. 60 % b. At least 30 %

b . At most 80 % d. Between 50 % and 70 %.

5.The probability of having a birthday on Sunday in Kigali city is one over seven. 4 citizen in
Kigali city are chosen and let X be a random variable of the citizen got birthday on Sunday.

a. Give the probability law.

b. Calculate the mathematic expectation, the variance and the standard deviation.

II.2 BERNOULLI’S LAW

Let X be a discrete random variable. The variable X is said to be Bernoulli’s distribution if it is a
Binomial’s law of the parameter n=1 and p, and it is written β (1 , p). II.8

This means that Bernoulli’s law is a particular case of the Binomial’s law where n=1.

The following representation is for Bernoulli’s law

 The mathematic expectation of X a discrete random variable which obey the Bernoulli’s
law is the value E(X)=P II.9
 The variance of X a discrete random variable which obey the Bernoulli’s law is the value
Var(X)=PQ II.10
 The standard deviation of X a discrete random variable which obey the Bernoulli’s law is
the value SD(X)=√ PQ II.11
The example of the Bernoulli’s law.

 Let toss one coin and let X be the number of face obtained. Give the probability

law. Calculate mathematic expectation, Variance and standard deviation.

Solution
1 1
n=1 and E={F , T} . Here P(E)= =P and Q=1-P= . The law is a Bernoulli’s law
2 2
n
1 1 1
β (1 , p)= β (1 , ) . Here ∑ P ( x i )=1 ⇒ P ( X =0 ) + P ( X=1 ) = + =1
2 i=1 2 2
1
Notice that P ( X=0 )=Q=
2
1 11 1 1
E(X)= Var(X)= = SD(X)=
2 22 4 2
II.3 HYPERGEOMETRIC LAW

Activity 3 
1. Define the hypergeometric law?
2. How do you calculate probability on Hypergeometric law?
3. Define mathematics expectation, variance and standard deviation on hypergeometric law?

II.3.1 Definition
Let X be a discrete random variable. Let draw n -marbles/objects without handing the drawn
marbles/objects in the jar containing N1 (N1≠ 0) white marbles/objects and N2 (N2≠ 0) black
marbles. The total marbles/objects in the jar are N= N1+ N2. Let X be a discrete random variable
which represents the number of white marbles/objects drawn and let k-be the number of
experiments realized,

 The probability of realizing k-experiments is given by

P ( X=k )=
( k n−k )
N
)(
1 N 2

II.12
( )N
n

If the discrete random variable X obey a Hypergeometric law of the parameters n, N and P then
it is written by Ҥ(N, n, P) II.13

The P(X=K) verify the probability law.

II.3.2 Presentations
II.3.3 Mathematic expectation
Let X be a discrete random variable which obey the hypergeometric law Ҥ(N, n, P) . The
N1
mathematic expectation is the value E(X)=n =np II.14
N

N1 N
Here there are two probabilities p= and q= 2 II.15
N N

Where p design the probability of obtaining a white marbles/objects and q design the probability
of obtaining a black marbles/objects.

II.3.4 Variance and standard deviation

Let X be a discrete random variable which obey the hypergeometric law Ҥ(N, n, P). The
N−n
variance is the value Var(X)=npq II.16
N−1
 √
The standard deviation is the value SD(X)=√ Var ( X )= npq
N−n
N −1
II.17

N −n
N.B 1.The value is called the Exhaustive factor of the hypergeometric law Ҥ(N, n, P).
N−1

2. The hypergeometric law can be reduced to Binomial’s law β ( n , p ) If N1 is very big and
N1
∧N 2 n
N2 is very big, N are finite in additional if <0.1
N
N

II.3.5 Examples and exercises 

A teller of B.K receives 2 female and 3 male. 3 persons are randomly chosen for
interview. Let X be a random variable which present the number of female.
a. Calculate the probability of choosing 2 female.
b. Calculate the probability of choosing at least 1 female.
c. Give the rule and calculate E(X), Var(X) and SD(X).
Solution
The experiment obey the hypergeometric law H(5, 2, 0.4).
Here N=N1+N2=2+3=5 where N1=2 are female and N2=3 are male.
N1 2 N 3
P= = =0.4 and Q= 2 = =0.6 also if P=0.4 , then Q=1-P=1-0.4=0.6
N 5 N 5

a. P(X=2)=
( 2 )( 0 ) 1
2 3
=
(2) 10
5

b. P(X≥ 1)=P(X=1) + P(X=2)=

( )(
2 3
1 1 ) +
( 2)( 0) 6 1
2 3
= + =
7

( 52) (52) 10 10 10
c. E(X)= nP= 2× 0.4=0.8
N−n 5−2
Var(X)= npq =2× 0.6× 0.4 × =0.36
N−1 5−1
 SD(X)= √ Var ( X )= √ npq
N−n
N −1
=√ 0.36=0.6

2. 10 students of MDS are randomly chosen for a meeting from 304 students of level I and 233
students of level II. Let X be the number of students of level I among 10 chosen in the
experiment.

a. Calculate the probability of getting 5 students of level I.

b. Calculate E(X), Var(X) and SD(X)

c. Give the approximation of the Hypergeometric’s law to Binomial’s law if possible.

3. In the Dean’s office there are 6 students and 5 workers. The Dean need to converse with 7
persons chosen randomly. Let X be a random variable which represent the number of students.

a. Give the law of the experiment and verify the probability law.

b. Calculate the probability of conversing with 4 students.

c. Calculate the probability of conversing with at least 5 students.

II.4 THE De POISSON’S LAW

Activity 4 
1. Define the De Poisson’s law and give applications of the law?
2. How do you calculate the probability of realizing K-experiments?
3. What is the mathematics expectation, the variance and the standard deviation of the De Poisson’s
law?
4. Define the Pascal’s law and how do you calculate the probability of realizing K-events?
5. What is the mathematics expectation, the variance and the standard deviation of the Pascal’s
law?
6. What is the relationship between Binomial’s law and the De Poisson’s law?
7. What is the difference between Pascal’s law and Binomial’s law?

II.4.1 Definition
The Poisson’s distribution is applied if the probability of realizing the event is done in a small
interval of time t. The Poisson’s distribution is used on the statistical case which consists on
small appearance phenomena. Here are some examples of the Poisson’s law.
 a. The number of client on ATM in the country during one minute.
b. Arriving of car in a highway during an hour.
c. Telephonic calls on a given antenna.
d. Emission of radioactive particles in 10 minutes.
e. Number of emergency calls received by an ambulance control during one hour.
f. The number of misprints on a page of a book.


−λ k
e λ
The probability of realizing K-experiments is P(X=K)= K ! II.18

Where k is the number of k-realized experiments

X is a random variable. The law is written by P(λ)

λ is the parameter, called the Poisson’s parameter.

e−λ λk
The probability of realizing k-experiment can also be written as P(K, λ)= II.19
K!

II.4.2 Presentation
II.4.3 Mathematic expectation
−λ k
e λ
Let X be a discrete random variable which obey the Poisson’s law P(K, λ)= The
K!
mathematic expectation is the value E(X)=λ II.20

II.4.4 Variance and standard deviation

e−λ λk
Let X be a discrete random variable which obey the Poisson’s law P(K, λ)= .The variance
K!
is the value Var(X)=λ II.21

The standard deviation is the value SD(X)=√ λ II.22

II.4.5 estimation of Binomial’s law to the Poisson’s law

The Binomial’s law β (n , p) can be reduced to the Poisson’s law P(λ) where λ=np when n is very
big and P tend toward 0, np may be finite. The estimation occur if P<0.1 and n>50

II.4.6 Poisson’s table

Some mathematic operations are not easy to calculate the probability by using the formula
e−λ λk
P(K, λ)= We can introduce the table, called the Poisson’s table
K!

λ 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
e− λ 1 0.905 0.819 0.741 0.670 0.607 0.549 0.497 0.449 0.407
λ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
e− λ 0.368 0.135 0.0498 0.0183 0.0067 0.0025 0.000 0.0003 0.0001 0.00004
9
II.4.7 Examples and Exercises 
1. Calculate the following by using the table above
a. e−1.3 , e−2.5 , e−0.8 , e−3.4 , e−4.5 , e−6.9
1
b. P(2 , 1) , P(3 , ) ,P(3 , 0.9) , P(4 , 0.5)
2
2. We suppose that in the book of 500 pages, there 300 faults of typing. Calculate the probability
such that the drawn page contain
a. 2 faults b. at least 2 faults c. at most 1 fault. d. No fault.
3. The number of computers sold every day in the shop HIGHTECH obey the Poisson’s law of
the parameter 4, calculate the probability such that one day
a. We don’t sell any computer.
b. We sell 4 computers
c. We sell at least one computer.
d. The sold computers are between 2 and 6.
Solutions
1. a. e−1.3 =. e−1 ×. e−0.3 =0.368 ×0.741=0.273
−2.5 −2 −0.5
e =. e ×. e =0.135 ×0.607=0.0819
e−λ λk e−0.5 0.53 0.607 =0.013
a. From P(K, λ)= We can have P(3, 1/2)=P(3, 0.5)= =
K! 3! 48
1
2. The probability of getting a page is P= =0.002 and n=300
500
Because n is very big and P=0.002<0.1 we approximate the Poisson’s law to the
binomial’s law by λ=np=300× 0.002=0.6 ⇒ λ=0.6
e−0.6 0.62 0.36 ×0.549
a. P(2, 0.6)= = =0.0988
2! 2
b. The probability of getting at least 2 faults. From P(x=0)+P(x=1)+P(x=2)+P(x=3)+
….+P(x=n)=1 the probability law then
−0.6 0 −0.6 1
−e 0.5 e 0.5
P(x≥ 2¿=1−¿ )+P(x=1)]=1 − =¿
0! 1!
1−0.549−0.329=0.122
Hence the probability of obtaining P(X≥ 2)=0.122
 c. The probability of obtaining at most 1 fault is P(x=0)+P(x=1)=0.549+0.329=0.878
d. No fault P(x=0)=0.549=P(0, 0.6)

II.5 PASCAL’S LAW

II.5.1 Definition
Let X be a discrete random variable. Let draw without handing the drawn marbles in the jar. Let
also consider a jar containing two categories of marbles where there are white marbles in
proportion of P(0<P<1) and the black marbles in the proportion Q=1-P. Let r be the numbers of
white marbles and let white marbles be taken as success. The probability of realizing k

experiment is given by P(X=k)= ( k−1

r−1 )
r
PQ k−r
II.23

X(Ω )={r, r+1, r+2, …, k,…}

If the experiment obeys the Pascal’s law, then it is written by Ƥasc(r, P) II.24

II.5.2 Presentation
II.5.3 Mathematic expectation
Let X be a discrete random variable which obey Pascal’s rule Ƥasc(r, P). The mathematic
r
expectation is the value E(X)= II.25
p

II.5.4 Variance and Standard deviation

Let X be a discrete random variable which obey Pascal’s rule Ƥasc(r, P). The variance of the law
rQ
is the value Var(X)= II.26
p2

The standard deviation is the value SD(X)=

√ rQ II.27
P

Remark: If r=1 the Pascal’s law is called the Geometric law. The Pascal’s law can also be
called the negative Binomial’s law.

Example exercise 
During a test of computers while are accessing to the network connection. We find that 95% of
computers are connected easily. A factory may be connected 4 times per day for updating their
data. Let X be the number computers for being connected 4 times per day.
a. Calculate P(x=4)
b. Calculate E(X), Var(X) and SD(X)
Solution
If P=0.95 , then Q=0.05 . Let r=4 be the number of computers and K=4 be the number of access
per day.
The experiment obey the Pascal’s law Ƥasc(r, P)=Pasc(4, 0.95)

a. P(X=4)= ( 4−1
4−1)
4 0
0.95 0.05 =0.815

r 4 r q 4 × 0.05 √ 0.2 =0.471

b. E(x)= = =4.21 Var(x)= = =¿ SD(x)=√ var ( x )=
p 0.95 p2 0.952 0.95