11

Statistics and Probability

Activity Sheets
Quarter 3 – MELC 7
Calculating the Mean and the
Variance of a Discrete Random
Variable

REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS

Statistics and Probability – Grade 11
Activity Sheet No. 07
First Edition, 2020

Published in the Philippines

By the Department of Education
Region 6 – Western Visayas

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist
in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of
the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be
necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may,
among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

This Learning Activity Sheet is developed by DepEd Region 6 –

Western Visayas.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this learning resource may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or
mechanical without written permission from the DepEd Regional Office 6 –
Western Visayas.

Development Team of Statistics and Probability Activity Sheet

Writer: Ian T. Tacsagon

Illustrator: Ian T. Tacsagon

Layout Artist: Ian T. Tacsagon

Schools Division Quality Assurance Team:

Ligaya H. Montelijao, EPS-Mathematics
Leila G. Valencia, EPS-LR
Jezereel Grace G. Tiron
Bernie P. Alcedo
Division of Iloilo City Management Team:
Ma. Luz M. De los Reyes, SDS
Ernesto F. Servillon Jr., ASDS
Arlo L. Villalva, CID Chief
Dr. Jerry M. Lego, SGOD Chief
Leila G. Valencia, EPS-LR
Ligaya H. Montelijao, EPS-Mathematics
Regional Management Team
Ma. Gemma M. Ledesma
Dr. Josilyn S. Solana
Dr. Elena P. Gonzaga
Mr. Donald T. Genine
Mr. Adonis Mosquera
Introductory Message
Welcome to Statistics and Probability for Senior High School!

The Learning Activity Sheet is a product of the collaborative efforts of

the Schools Division of Iloilo City and DepEd Regional Office VI - Western
Visayas through the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD).
This is developed to guide the learning facilitators (teachers, parents and
responsible adults) in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to
12 Basic Education Curriculum.

The Learning Activity Sheet is self-directed instructional materials

aimed to guide the learners in accomplishing activities at their own pace and
time using the contextualized resources in the community. This will also assist
the learners in acquiring the lifelong learning skills, knowledge and attitudes for
productivity and employment.

For learning facilitator:

The Statistics and Probability for Senior High School will help you
facilitate the teaching-learning activities specified in each Most Essential
Learning Competency (MELC) with minimal or no face-to-face encounter
between you and learner. This will be made available to the learners with the
references/links to ease the independent learning.

For the learner:

The Statistics and Probability for Senior High School is developed to

help you continue learning even if you are not in school. This learning material
provides you with meaningful and engaging activities for independent learning.
Being an active learner, carefully read and understand the instructions then
perform the activities and answer the assessments. This will be returned to
your facilitator on the agreed schedule.
 Quarter 3, Week 2

Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) No. 7

Name of Learner: ___________________ Grade and Section: _______________

Date: _____________________________

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY ACTIVITY SHEET

Calculating the Mean and the Variance of a Discrete Random Variable

I. Learning Competency with Code

Calculates the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.
(M11/12SP-IIIb-2)

II. Background Information for Learners

The PSA reported that on the average, a Filipino consumes a total of

118.81kilograms (kg) of rice annually. This is equivalent to 325.5 grams of
milled rice daily. With a current population of 108.66 million Filipinos, the
country’s total annual consumption would amount to 12.9 MMT.

Based on the above situation, what does average mean? Does it mean
that every day a person consumes exactly 325.5 grams of milled rice? How is
the rice consumption by different persons vary from each other? This gives
rise to a new concept in probability and statistics. This is the mean and the
variability is the variance in probability and statistics.

Let’s take a look at the following examples on how to find the mean
and variance of the probability distribution.

Example 1: Your friend Joe likes to roll a die. As usual, the probability of
getting a1 is the same as the other number in the die. In the previous
activity, we have illustrated the mean for the experiment. Now, let us
follow the steps in finding the mean of a discrete random variable.

Steps Solution
1. Construct the probability
distribution for the Number X Probability P(X)
random variable X 1
representing the number 1
6
that would appear. 1
2
6
1
3
6
1
4
6
1
5
6
1
6
6
 2. Multiply the value of the
random variable X by the Probability
corresponding probability Number X X ∙ P(X)
P(X)
P(X). 1 1
1
6 6
1 2
2
6 6
1 3
3
6 6
1 4
4
6 6
1 5
5
6 6
1 6
6
6 6
3. Add the results obtained 1 2 3 4 5 6 21
+6 +6+6+6+6= = 3.5
6 6
in Step 2. (third column)
∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) = 3.5

Example 2: USWAG Community Kitchen

The City Mayor initiated the Community Kitchen on March 22,

2020 when the city was placed under enhanced community quarantine.
The Community Kitchen is a program wherein the parent leaders,
daycare workers, and SF workers prepared meals to be delivered to
the people in the community. The table below shows the probability
distribution. Find the mean of the probability distribution.

Number of Food Packs X Probability P(X)

40 0.26
45 0.24
50 0.18
55 0.22
60 0.10

Solution:

Steps Solution
1. Construct the probability
distribution for the Number of Probability
random variable X Food Packs X P(X)
representing the number 40 0.26
that would appear. 45 0.24
50 0.18
55 0.22
60 0.10
 2. Multiply the value of the
random variable X by the Number
corresponding probability Probability
of Food X ∙ P(X)
P(X). P(X)
Packs X
40 0.26 10.40
45 0.24 10.80
50 0.18 9.00
55 0.22 12.10
60 0.10 6.00
3. Add the results obtained 10.40 +10.80 + 9.00 + 12.10 + 6.00 =
in Step 2. (third column) 48.30

∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) = 48.30

From the above examples, we come up with the formula for the mean
of the probability distribution.

Formula for the Mean of the Probability Distribution

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.
( )

Now, let’s proceed to the two measures of spread of the random

variable in the probability distribution. We know that variance is a measure of
how spread out a data set is. It is calculated as the average squared
deviation of each number from the mean of a data set. Taking the square root
of the variance gives us the units used in the original scale and this is the
standard deviation.

Standard deviation is the measure of spread most commonly used in

statistical practice when the mean is used to calculate central tendency. Thus,
it measures the spread around the mean. Since it has close links with the
mean, standard deviation can be greatly affected if the mean gives a poor
measure of central tendency.

How do you describe the spread or dispersion in a probability

distribution? The next example will equip you on how to compute the variance
and standard deviation of a discrete probability distribution.
Example 3: COVID – 19 Infected Persons in a Barangay

The number of persons infected per day in a barangay, along with its
corresponding probabilities is shown in the table below. Compute the variance
and the standard deviation of the probability distribution.

Number of Persons Infected X Probability P(X)

1
0
5
3
1
10
1
2
10
1
3
10
1
4
5
1
5
10

Solution:

Steps Solution
1. Find the mean of the Number
probability distribution using of
Probability
the formula 𝜇 = ∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋). Persons X ∙ P(X)
P(X)
Infected
X
1
0 0
5
3 3
1
10 10
1 2
2
10 10
1 3
3
10 10
1 4
4
5 5
1 5
5
10 10
21
𝜇 = ∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)= 10 = 2.1
2. Subtract the mean from each X 𝜇 X-𝜇
value of the random variable 0 2.1 0 – 2.1 = - 2.1
X. 1 2.1 1 – 2.1 = - 1.1
2 2.1 2 – 2.1 = - 0.1
3 2.1 3 – 2.1 = 0.9
4 2.1 4 – 2.1 = 1.9
5 2.1 5 - 2.1 = 2.9
 3. Square the results obtained X-𝜇 (X − 𝜇)2
in Step 2. 0 – 2.1 = - 2.1 4.41
1 – 2.1 = - 1.1 1.21
2 – 2.1 = - 0.1 0.01
3 – 2.1 = 0.9 0.81
4 – 2.1 = 1.9 3.61
5 - 2.1 = 2.9 8.41
2
4. Multiply the results obtained (X − 𝜇) (X − 𝜇)2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)
in Step 3 by the 4.41 0.882
corresponding probability. 1.21 0.363
0.01 0.001
0.81 0.081
3.61 0.722
8.41 0.841
5. Get the sum of the results 2
(X − 𝜇) ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)
obtained in Step 4. The 0.882
result is the value of the 0.363
variance. So, the formula for 0.001
the variance is: 0.081
𝜎 2 = ∑(X − 𝜇)2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋). 0.722
0.841
𝜎 2 = ∑(X − 𝜇)2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) = 2.89
6. Get the square root of the The variance of the probability
variance to get the standard distribution is 2.89 and the standard
deviation. deviation is 𝜎 = √2.89 = 1.70.

Based on the above example, we arrived at the formula for the

variance and standard deviation of a discrete probability distribution.

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 = ∑(𝐗 − 𝝁)𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿).

The standard deviation of a discrete probability distribution is given by

the formula:
𝟐
𝜎 = √∑(𝐗 − 𝝁) ∙ 𝑷(𝑿).

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

The variance and standard deviation can be obtained also using an

alternative formula.
 Using the same data in the previous example, we will find the variance
and standard deviation using the alternative formula.

Steps Solution
1. Find the mean of the probability Number
distribution using the formula of Probability
X ∙ P(X)
𝜇 = ∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋). Persons P(X)
Infected X
1
0 0
5
3 3
1
10 10
1 2
2
10 10
1 3
3
10 10
1 4
4
5 5
1 5
5
10 10
21
∑
𝜇 = 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)= 10 = 2.1
2. Multiply the square of the value X P(X) 𝑋 2 ∙ P(X)
of the random variable X by its 1
corresponding probability. 0 0
5
3 3
1
10 10
1 4
2
10 10
1 9
3
10 10
1 32
4
5 10
1 25
5
10 10
3. Get the sum of the results 2
𝑋 ∙ P(X)
obtained in Step 2. 0
3
10
4
10
9
10
32
10
25
10
2 73
∑ 𝑋 ∙ P(X) = = 7.3
10
4. Subtract the square of the mean The variance is 𝝈 = 𝑋 2 ∙ P(X) - 𝜇 2
𝟐 ∑
from the results obtained in = 7.3 - (2.1)2
Step 3 to get the variance. So, = 7.3– 4.41
the formula for the variance of = 2.89
the probability distribution is
𝝈𝟐 = ∑ 𝑋 2 ∙ P(X) - 𝜇 2 . The standard deviation is 𝜎 =√2.89 = 1.70.
The standard deviation is the
square root of the variance.
Thus,
𝜎 = √∑ 𝑋 2 ∙ P(X) − 𝜇 2.

III. Accompanying DepEd Textbook and Education Sites

Alferez, M.S. &Duro, M.A. (2006). MSA Statistics and Probability. MSA
Publishing House. Reprinted 2016.

Belecina, R. R.et.al. (2016). Statistics and Probability. First Edition. Rex Book
Store, Inc.

CHED. Statistics and Probability. Pasig City: Department of Education -

Bureau of Learning Resources, 2016, pp 108-1116

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/edu/power-pouvoir/ch12/5214891-eng.htm

IV. Activity Proper

General Directions: In answering the exercises in the Learning Activity

Sheet (LAS), please be reminded not to write anything here. All answers
must be written in a separate sheet of paper. Read each problem carefully
and answer it systematically. If a solution is required, encircle your final
answer.

Exercise 1.The probabilities of laptops to have 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 defective parts

are 0.24, 0.18, 0.26, 0.12 and 0.20, respectively. Find the mean of the
probability distribution.

Exercise 2.The number of quarantine protocol violators in one district of a

city is shown in the table. Find the variance and standard deviation.

Number of Violators Probability P(X)

3
25
20
9
30
20
7
35
20
1
40
20
 Guide Questions:

1. How do you find the variance and standard deviation of

the probability distribution?
2. Which formula is easier in finding the variance and
standard deviation of the probability distribution?
Elaborate why.

Exercise 3. Complete the table below and find the mean, variance and
standard deviation of the probability distribution.

X P(X) X ∙ P(X) 𝑋 2 ∙ P(X)

1 0.15
3 0.26
5 0.10
7 0.25
9 0.24

Guide Questions:

1. What are the steps in computing the mean, variance and

standard deviation of the probability distribution?

2. How is it similar to the steps in finding the mean, variance

and standard deviation of the probability distribution in the
Junior High School?
Key to Solution