Lesson 1.

1: Exploring Random Variables

Objectives: 1. Illustrate a random variable;
2. Classify random variables as discrete and continuous; and
3. Find the possible values of a random variable.
Basic Concepts:
Random Variables
Function that associates a real number to each element in the sample
space. It is a variable whose values are determined by chance.
Denoted by X, or any capital letter of the alphabet.

Sample Spaces
Collection or a set of possible outcomes of a random experiment.
Denoted with a capital S.

Example 1:
A coin is tossed twice. Let X be the random variable that represents the
number of heads. Find the values of the random variable X.

Solution:
Let X be the random variable that represents the number of heads.
Step 1: Determine the sample spaces.

S = {HH, HT, TH, TT}

Step 2: Count the number of heads in each outcome in the sample spaces and
assign this number to the corresponding outcome.
Possible Outcomes HH HT TH TT

Value of the Random Variable X 2 1 1 0

Thus, the possible values of the random variable X are 0, 1, and 2.

Example 2:
In a box there are 2 balls-one white and one yellow. Two balls are picked one
at a time with replacement. Let A be the random variable representing the
number of white balls. Find the values of the random variable A.

Solution:
Let W be the random variable that represents white ball and Y represents
yellow ball.
Step 1: Determine the sample spaces.
S = {WW, WY, YW, YY}

Step 2: Count the number of white balls in each outcome in the sample spaces and
assign this number to the corresponding outcome.
Possible Outcomes WW WY YW YY

Value of the Random Variable A 2 1 1 0

Thus, the possible values of the random variable Z are 0, 1, and 2.

Example 3:
Two balls are drawn in succession without replacement from an urn
containing 5 red balls and 6 blue balls. Let Z be the random variable
representing the number of blue balls. Find the values of the random variable
Z.
Solution:
 Let B be the random variable that represents a blue ball and R represents the
red balls.
Step 1: Determine the sample spaces.
S = {RR, RB, BR, RR}
Step 2: Count the number of blue balls in each outcome in the sample spaces and
assign this number to the corresponding outcome.
Possible Outcomes RR RB BR BB

Value of the Random Variable X 0 1 1 2

Thus, the possible values of the random variable Z are 0, 1, and 2.

TYPES OF RANDOM VARIABLES

Discrete Variables
Set of possible outcomes is countable.
Represent count data.
Variables that cannot be take the form of decimals
Examples:
1. The number of cats in a shelter
2. Number of marbles in a bag
3. Number of senior high students

Continuous Variables
Takes on values from within an interval or disjoint union of intervals.
Represent measured data.
Variables that can take the form of decimals.
Examples:
1. Speed of a car
2. Average daily temperature
3. Time taken in a quiz