3rd MID QUARTER HANDOUT

Definition of terms

Experiment – any activity which can be done repeatedly

under similar conditions.

Sample Space – the set of all possible outcomes in an

experiment.

Event – a subset of a sample space.

Sample Point – the elements in a sample space.

Probability – the ratio of the number of favorable S = {HH, HT, TH, TT}
outcomes to the number of possible outcomes. (The Step 2. Count the number of heads in each outcome and
probability of getting a tail in a single toss coin is ½ or assign this number to this outcome.
50%)
Number of Heads
Outcome
(Value of H)
UNDERSTANDING RANDOM VARIABLE
HH 2
A random variable is a numerical quantity that is assigned
to the outcome of an experiment. We use capital letters to HT 1
represent a random variable.
TH 1
Example:
TT 0
1. In tossing 3 coins, the number of times of getting
a tail is an example of random variable.
2. The number of times of getting a double when 2 ∴ The values of the random variable H (number of heads)
dice are rolled. in this experiment are 0, 1, and 2.
3. When you spin a wheel, every possibility is a
random variable. Example 2

A basket contains 10 ripe and 4 unripe bananas.

If three bananas are taken for the basket one after the
other, determine the possible values of the random
variable R representing the number of ripe bananas.

Step 1. List the sample space of this experiment. Let R

represent the ripe bananas and let U represent the unripe
bananas.

S = {RRR, RRU, RUR, URR, UUR, URU, RUU, UUU}

To determine the values of the random variable in an Step 2. Count the number of ripe bananas (R) in each
experiment, follow these steps. outcome and assign this number to this outcome.

a. List the sample space of the experiment. Number of Ripe Bananas

Outcome
b. Count the number of the random variable in each (Value of R)
outcome and assign this number to this outcome. RRR 3

Example 1 RRU 2
RUR 2
Suppose two coins are tossed and we are
interested to determine the number of heads that will URR 2
come out. Let us use H to represent the number of heads UUR 1
that will come out. Determine the values of the random
variable H. URU 1
RUU 1
UUU 0
Step 1. List the sample space of the experiment.

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 3rd MID QUARTER HANDOUT
∴ The values of the random variable R (number of ripe
bananas) in this experiment are 0, 1, 2, and 3. Step 3. Construct the frequency distribution of the values
of the random variable R.
Discrete and Continuous Random Variable

A discrete random variable is one that can assume only a Number of Ripe Bananas Number of Occurrence
(Value of R) (frequency)
countable number of values. A continuous random
variable can assume infinite number of values in one or 3 1
more intervals. 2 3
Continuous Random 1 3
Discrete Random Variables
Variables
(can be counted) (can be measured) 0 1
amount of antibiotics in Total 8
number of pencils in the box
the vial
lifetime of light bulbs in
number of soldiers in the troop
minutes Step 4. Construct the probability distribution of the
number of rotten tomatoes in random variable R by getting the probability of occurrence
length of wire ropes
the basket
of each value of the random variable.
number of defective flashlights voltage of radio batteries
Number of Ripe Number of
Probability
Bananas Occurrence
DISCRETE PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION P(R)
(Value of R) (frequency)

After determining the values of a discrete random 1

3 1
variable, we can make a frequency distribution and 8
determine the probability of each value of the random 3
variable that will occur. The resulting distribution is called 2 3
8
a probability distribution of the discrete random variable.
3
It is sometimes called that probability mass function. 1 3
8
Example 1 1
0 1
8
A basket contains 10 ripe and 4 unripe bananas.
If three bananas are taken for the basket one after the Total 8 1
other, determine the possible values of the random
variable R representing the number of ripe bananas.
The probability distribution of the random variable R can
Step 1. List the sample space of this experiment. Let R be written as follows:
represent the ripe bananas and let U represent the unripe
bananas. R 3 2 1 0
S = {RRR, RRU, RUR, URR, UUR, URU, RUU, UUU} 1 3 3 1
P(R)
8 8 8 8
Step 2. Count the number of ripe bananas (R) in each
outcome and assign this number to this outcome.
Properties of a Discrete Probability Distribution
Number of Ripe Bananas
Outcome
(Value of R) 1. The probability P of each value of a discrete
RRR 3 random X, which is P(X), is
RRU 2 𝟎 ≤ 𝑷(𝑿) ≤ 𝟏
2. The sum of all probabilities is 1.
RUR 2
∑ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟏
URR 2
UUR 1 Example 2
URU 1 Consider the probability distribution of the number of
RUU 1 bananas given below.

UUU 0

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 3rd MID QUARTER HANDOUT
𝑋+1
R 3 2 1 0 𝑃(𝑋) =
7
1 3 3 1
P(R) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑋 = 0, 1, 3
8 8 8 8
If it is, find the following:
Find the following. 1. 𝑃(𝑋 = 3)
1. 𝑃(𝑅 = 3) 2. 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 1)
3. 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 1)
2. 𝑃(𝑅 = 1)
3. 𝑃(𝑅 > 1) Solution.
4. 𝑃(𝑅 < 2)
5. ∑ 𝑃(𝑅) To determine if the formula describes a probability,
substitute the values of the random variables in the
Solution. formula to get the corresponding probability values. The
1 obtained values are shown in the table below.
1. 𝑃(𝑅 = 3) =
8
3 X P(X)
2. 𝑃(𝑅 = 1) =
8
3. If 𝑅 > 1, there are two possible values of R. 1
0
These are 2 and 3. 7
2
𝑃(𝑅 > 1) = 𝑃(2) + 𝑃(3) 1
7
3 1
𝑃(𝑅 > 1) = + 4
8 8 3
1 7
𝑃(𝑅 > 1) =
2
The formula gives a probability distribution because
4. If 𝑅 < 2, there are two possible values of R.
0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑋) ≤ 1 where 𝑋 = 0, 1, 3. Likewise, the sum of all
These are 1 and 0.
probability values is equal to one.
𝑃(𝑅 < 2) = 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(0) 1. 𝑃(𝑋 = 3) =
4
3 1 7
𝑃(𝑅 < 2) = + 2. 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 1) = 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(3)
8 8 2 4
1 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 1) = +
𝑃(𝑅 < 2) = 7 7
2
6
𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 1) =
5. To find ∑ 𝑃(𝑅) we need to find the sum of all the 7
3. 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 1) = 𝑃(0) + 𝑃(1)
probability values.
1 2
𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 1) = +
∑ 𝑃(𝑅) = 𝑃(3) + 𝑃(2) + 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(0) 7 7
1 3 3 1
3
∑ 𝑃(𝑅) = + + + 𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 1) =
8 8 8 8 7
∑ 𝑃(𝑅) = 1
Graphical Presentation of a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Finding the Discrete Probability Distribution
The probability distribution of a discrete random variable
Described by a Formula
can be shown graphically by constructing a histogram.
Sometimes, discrete probability distributions are The graph is called a probability histogram. The
described by a formula. To ascertain that a formula probability histogram displays the possible values of a
describes a probability distribution, we need to substitute discrete random variable on the horizontal axis and the
the values of the random variable in the formula, and the probabilities of those values on the vertical axis.
obtained values should satisfy the properties of a
probability distribution.
Example 4
Example 3
Probability Distribution of the Number of Ripe Bananas
Determine whether or not the formula below describes a
probability distribution.

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 3rd MID QUARTER HANDOUT
R 3 2 1 0 1. What is the value of N?
2. What is the value of ∑ 𝑓𝑋?
1 3 3 1 3. What is the value of the mean 𝑋̅?
P(R)
8 8 8 8
Solution.

1. To get the value of N, add the data under the

column of frequency f.

𝑁 = 2+4+6+2+1
𝑁 = 15

2. First, multiply the data under column X to column

f to get fX. Next, to find the value of ∑ 𝑓𝑋, add the
data under the column of fX.

∑ 𝑓𝑋 = 42 + 100 + 216 + 86 + 50
∑ 𝑓𝑋 = 494

3. Finally, apply the formula of 𝑋̅ to find the mean.

MEAN, VARIANCE AND STANDARD DEVIATION OF
A DISCRETE FREQUENCY AND PROBABILITY ∑ 𝑓𝑋 494
DISTRIBUTION 𝑋̅ = =
𝑁 15
• The mean is the average in a set of data. It tells you
𝑋̅ = 32.93
what the expected outcome is when comparing all
data points together.
• The variance measures the degree of dispersion of B. The variance 𝝈𝟐 and the standard deviation 𝝈 of a
data around the sample mean. frequency distribution are computed by using the
• The standard deviation measures the dispersion of a following formulas:
dataset relative to its mean and is calculated as the
square root of the variance. 𝑁 ∑ 𝑓𝑋 2 − (∑ 𝑓𝑋)2
𝜎2 =
𝑁(𝑁 − 1)
Frequency Distribution

A. The mean 𝑿 ̅ of a frequency distribution is obtained by 𝑁 ∑ 𝑓𝑋 2 − (∑ 𝑓𝑋)2

𝜎=√
using the formula 𝑁(𝑁 − 1)

∑ 𝑓𝑋
𝑋̅ =
𝑁
Table 2. Ages of Grade 11 Mathematics Teachers
where: 𝑋̅ = mean
X f fX fX2
𝑓 = frequency
21 2 42 882
𝑁 = total frequency
25 4 100 2500
Example 1
36 6 216 7776
Table 1. Ages of Grade 11 Mathematics Teachers
43 2 86 3698
X f fX 50 1 50 2500
21 2 42 Total 𝑵 = 𝟏𝟓 ∑ 𝒇𝑿 = 𝟒𝟗𝟒 ∑ 𝒇𝑿𝟐 = 𝟏𝟕, 𝟑𝟓𝟔
25 4 100
36 6 216 To find the variance,

43 2 86 𝑁 ∑ 𝑓𝑋 2 − (∑ 𝑓𝑋)2 15(17,356) − (494)2

𝜎2 = =
𝑁(𝑁 − 1) 15(15 − 1)
50 1 50

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 3rd MID QUARTER HANDOUT
2
𝜎 = 77.64 𝜎 = √∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇 2
To find the standard deviation, Table 2
𝜎 = √77.64 X P(X) X2 X2 ∙ P(X)
𝜎 = 8.81 1 9
3 9
8 8
**To find the exact answer of the standard deviation: After
3 12
getting the variance, input √𝐴𝑁𝑆 in your calculator. 2 4
8 8
3 3
1 1
Discrete Probability Distribution 8 8
1
A. To find the mean 𝝁 or the expected value 𝑬(𝑿) of a 0 0 0
8
discrete probability distribution, we use the following
formula: Total ∑[𝑿𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿)] = 𝟑

𝜇 = 𝐸(𝑋) = ∑[𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)]

where: 𝜇 = mean To find the variance,

𝑋 = value of the random variable 𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇 2

𝑃(𝑋) = probability of the random variable 𝜎 2 = 3 − (1.5)2

Example 2 3
𝜎2 = 𝑜𝑟 0.75
4
Table 1. Find the mean of the discrete random variable X
with the following probability distribution. To find the standard deviation,

X P(X) X ∙ P(X) 𝜎 = √0.75

1 3 𝜎 = 0.866
3
8 8
3 6
2
8 8 APPLIED PROBLEMS IN DISCRETE PROBABILITY
3 3 DISTRIBUTION
1
8 8 Example 1
1
0 0 The following data show the probability distribution of the
8
number of computers sold daily in a computer shop during
the past several months.
To find the mean, multiply first the data under column X to
column P(X). Next, add the data under the column of X ∙ Number of Computers X Probability P(X)
P(X) to find the mean.
0 0.10
𝜇 = 𝐸(𝑋) = ∑[𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)]
1 0.20
3 6 3
𝜇 = + + +0 2 0.45
8 8 8
3 0.15
12 3
𝜇= = 𝑜𝑟 1.5
8 2 4 0.05
5 0.05

B. The variance 𝝈𝟐 and the standard deviation 𝝈 of a

discrete probability distribution are computed by using Questions
the following formulas:
1. What is the probability that on a given day---
𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇 2 a. fewer than three computers will be sold?

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 3rd MID QUARTER HANDOUT
b.
at most, two computers will be sold?
c.
at least, four computers will be sold?
d.
exactly three computers will be sold? X P(X) X ∙ P(X)
e.
at least one, but fewer than four computers
will be sold? 0 0.10 0
2. Find the mean of the probability distribution. 1 0.20 0.20
3. Find the variance and the standard deviation of
the probability distribution. 2 0.45 0.90

3 0.15 0.45

Solution 4 0.05 0.20

1. To find the probabilities— 5 0.05 0.25

a. To find the probability that fewer than three

computers will be sold, use X = 0, 1, and 2. 𝜇 = ∑[𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)]

𝜇 = 0 + 0.20 + 0.90 + 0.45 + 0.20 + 0.25

𝑃(𝑋 < 3) = 𝑃(0) + 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(2)
𝑃(𝑋 < 3) = 0.10 + 0.20 + 0.45
𝑃(𝑋 < 3) = 0.75
b. To find the probability that, at most, two
computers will be sold, use X = 0, 1, and 2.
𝜇 = 2.00
The mean of the probability distribution is 2. This implies
that in the long run, we expect that the average number
of computers that will be sold on a give day will be two.

𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 2) = 𝑃(0) + 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(2)

𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 2) = 0.10 + 0.20 + 0.45 3. The variance and standard deviation are
𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 2) = 0.75 computed as follows:

c. To find the probability that, at least, four

computers will be sold, use X = 4 and 5.
X P(X) X2 X2 ∙ P(X)
𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4) = 𝑃(4) + 𝑃(5) 0 0.10 0 0
𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4) = 0.05 + 0.05
𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4) = 0.10 1 0.20 1 0.20
2 0.45 4 1.80
d. To find the probability that exactly three
computers will be sold, use X = 3. 3 0.15 9 1.35

𝑃(𝑋 = 3) = 0.15 4 0.05 16 0.80

5 0.05 25 1.25
e. To find the probability that, at least one, but
fewer than four computers will be sold, use X
= 1, 2, and 3. To find the variance,

𝑃(1 ≤ 𝑋 < 4) = 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(2) + 𝑃(3) 𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇 2

𝑃(1 ≤ 𝑋 < 4) = 0.20 + 045 + 0.15
𝜎 2 = (0 + 0.20 + 1.80 + 1.35 + 0.80 + 1.25) − (2.00)2
𝑃(1 ≤ 𝑋 < 4) = 0.80
𝜎 2 = 1.40

To find the standard deviation,

2. The mean of the probability distribution is
computed as follows: 𝜎 = √1.40

𝜎 = 1.83