11

Statistics and Probability

Activity Sheets
Quarter 3 – MELC 8
Interpreting the Mean and the
Variance of a Discrete Random
Variable

REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS

Statistics and Probability – Grade 11
Activity Sheet No. 08
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 3

Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) No. 8

Name of Learner: ___________________ Grade and Section: _______________

Date: _____________________________

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY ACTIVITY SHEET

Interpreting the Mean and the Variance of a Discrete Random Variable

I. Learning Competency with Code

Interprets the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.
(M11/12SP-IIIb-3)

II. Background Information for Learners

In our daily experience in attending our classes, we encountered

situations that need wise decisions. Decision-making should be part of our
skills especially in achieving our goals. Just like for instance, you wanted to
know or guess about your performance in the ten Statistics and
Probability examinations. The scores are given by the teacher in each of the
tests. What can you say about your performance on the basis of the scores
you obtained? What is your overall performance in these tests?
You can answer your questions by calculating the average of the
scores obtained to get an idea of your overall performance. Your average
score will tell you about the scores you are most close to. You can easily see
the difference of scores in each of the tests from this average score. This
difference in scores shows the variability of the possible values of the random
variable. The random variable being the marks or scores in the test.
The variance of a random variable shows the variability or the
scatterings of the random variables. It shows the distance of a random
variable from its mean. We have already learned how to find the mean and
variance of a discrete probability distribution. Now let’s discover how to
interpret this data and know the implication of it.

Example 1: Online Class

A mathematics teacher conducted his online class on a zero, one, two

or three days a week. The probability that he holds a class on a zero day is
0.35, the probability that he holds a class on one day is 0.25, the probability
that he holds a class on two days is 0.30 and the probability that he holds a
class on three days is 0.10. Find the average or expected value, μ, of the
number of days per week the teacher holds an online class.

Solution:

X P(X) X ∙ P(X)
0 0.35 0
1 0.25 0.25
2 0.30 0.60
3 0.10 0.30
∑
𝜇 = 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) = 0 + 0.25 + 0.60 + 0.30 = 1.15
 The expected value or mean is 1.15. This means that the
mathematics teacher would, on the average, expect to hold online
class 1.15 days per week. The number 1.15 is the long-term average
or expected value if the mathematics teacher holds online classes
week after week after week.

Example 2 Roulette Wheel

Roulette is a casino game named after the French word

meaning little wheel. In the game, players may choose to place bets on
either a single number or a single color. This is usually played during
barangay fiesta. The bettor will just choose a single number from 1 to
9. Unfortunately, the owner of the roulette wheel made it an unfair
wheel with the following probabilities:

X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
P(X) 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.20

Find the mean, variance and standard deviation.

Solution:

X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
P(X) 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.20
𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 1.80

𝜇 = ∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) = 0.10 + 0.20 + 0.30 + 0.40 + 0.50 + 0.60 + 0.70 + 0.80 + 1.80
= 5.4

The mean is equal to 5.4. Therefore, it means that the average number that
will appear in a roulette wheel is 5.4. This implies further that although 5.4 will never
show in a roulette wheel, spinning the wheel many times will result to 5.4

The mean of probability distribution is much like the mean of anything else. It
answers the question: If you perform this experiment many times, what’s the likely
(average) result?

To find the variance, let’s complete the table below:

𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 ∙ 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥2 𝑥 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑥)

1 0.10 0.10 1 0.10

2 0.10 0.20 4 0.40

3 0.10 0.30 9 0.90

 4 0.10 0.40 16 1.60

5 0.10 0.50 25 2.50

6 0.10 0.60 36 3.60

7 0.10 0.70 49 4.90

8 0.10 0.80 64 6.40

9 0.20 1.80 81 16.20

∑[𝑥 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑥)] = 36.60

𝜎 2 =∑[𝑥 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑥)] − 𝜇 2 = 36.60- (5.4)2 = 7.44

𝜎=√𝜎 2 =√7.44= 2.73

Therefore, the variance (𝜎 2 ) of a probability distribution is equal to 7.44, while
the standard deviation (𝜎) is equal to 2.73.

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://www.toppr.com/guides/maths/probability/mean-and-variance-of-
random-variables/
 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.Rolling a Single Unfair Die

For numbers 1- 4, refer to the probability distribution below:

X 1 2 3 4 5 6
P(X) 0.15 0.25 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15

1. What is the mean of the probability distribution?

A. 3.35 B. 14.05 C. 2.83 D. 1.68

2. What is the variance of the probability distribution?

A. 3.35 B. 14.05 C. 2.83 D. 1.68

3. What is the standard deviation of the probability distribution?

A. 3.35 B. 14.05 C. 2.83 D. 1.68

4. How would you interpret the mean of the probability distribution?

A. The mean value is the closest value to the most probable value of
the outcome when you roll the unfair die in numerous trials.
B. The mean value is the difference between each probable value of
the outcome when you roll the unfair die in numerous trials.
C. The mean value is the higher probable value of the outcome
when you roll the unfair die in numerous trials.
D. The mean value is the lowest probable value of the outcome when
you roll the unfair die in numerous trials.

5. Which of the following is the probability of getting a one in rolling a single

fair die?
A. 0.5 B. 0.17 C. 0.25 D. 0.15

Exercise 2. Modules Answered in a Week

John is a SHS student. He received 9 modules from his adviser. The

following table shows the number of modules he can finish in a single day.
Find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of the probability distribution
below. If John is claiming that he can finish 3 modules in a day, do you
believe in his claim?

X 1 2 3 4 5
P(X) 0.25 0.30 0.15 0.15 0.15
 Guide Questions:
1. How do you find for the mean?, the variance?, the standard
deviation?
2. How will you interpret the result?

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

X P(X) 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) 𝒙𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝒙)

𝟏
1
𝟗
𝟏
4
𝟗
𝟒
7
𝟗
𝟐
10
𝟗
𝟏
13
𝟗

Guide Questions:
1. What does the variance and the standard deviation of a
probability distribution tell us?
2. How do you interpret the variance and standard deviation of
a probability distribution?
Key to Solution