Random Variables and

Probability Distribution
Learner's Module in Statistics and
Probability
Quarter 3 ● Module 1

BRYAN A. HIDALGO
Developer

Department of Education • Cordillera Administrative Region

 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Cordillera Administrative Region
Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet

Published by:
DepEd CAR REGIONAL OFFICE
Curriculum and Learning Management Division

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
2021

Section 9 of Presidential Decree No. 49 provides:

“No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines.
However, prior approval of the government agency of office wherein the work is
created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit.”

This material has been developed for the implementation of K-12 Curriculum
through the DepEd Cordillera Administrative Region – Curriculum and Learning
management Division (CLMD). It can be reproduced for educational purposes and
the source must be acknowledged. Derivatives of the work including creating an
edited version, an enhancement or a supplementary work are permitted provided all
original work is acknowledged and the copyright is attributed. No work may be
derived from this material for commercial purposes and profit.

ii
 PREFACE

This module is a project of the DepEd CAR Regional Office through the
Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) which is in response to the
implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum.

This Learning Material is a property of the Department of Education,

Cordillera Administrative Region. It aims to improve students’ performance
specifically in Statistics and Probability.

Date of Development March 2021

Resource Location DepEd CAR Regional Office
Learning Area Mathematics

Grade Level 11
Learning Resource Type Module
Language English

Quarter/Week Quarter 3/ Week 1

Learning Competency Codes M11/12SP-IIIa-1; M11/12SP-IIIa-2;
M11/12SP-IIIa-3; M11/12SP-IIIa-4

Learning Competencies The learner…

1. illustrates random variables (discrete
and continuous).
2. distinguishes between a discrete and
a continuous random variable.
3. finds the possible values of a
random variable.
4. illustrates a probability distribution for
a discrete random variable and its
properties.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The developer wishes to express his gratitude to the Curriculum and Learning
Management Division (CLMD) of DepEd Cordillera Administrative Region for the
guidance from the start until the completion of this Self-Learning Module.

Development Team
Developer: Bryan A. Hidalgo
Layout Artist: Jeremy Kermit B. Padilla/ Jopie B. Ferrer
Illustrator: Warly E. Kindiawan

RO Quality Assurance Team - Mathematics

Niño E. Martinez HT-VI, BCNHS, SDO Baguio City
Jopie B. Ferrer T-III, BCNHS- LR Coordinator, SDO Baguio City
Florence D. Palasi T-III, BCNSHS, SDO Baguio City

Learning Resource Management Section Staff

Rosita C. Agnasi EPS/LRMS Manager
Fely B. Badival Librarian II
Elizabeth T. Calbayan Teaching Aids Specialist
Jeremy Kermit B. Padilla Administrative Assistant II

Consultants
Carmel F. Meris Chief Education Supervisor – CLMD
Florante E. Vergara SDS/ OIC– Office of the ARD
Estela L. Cariño EdD, CESO III Director IV/ Regional Director

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Copyright Notice ………………………………………………………………………… ii
Preface ………………………………………………………………………………….... iii
Acknowledgement ………………………………………………………………………. iv
Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………….. V
Title Page ………………………………………………………………………………… 1
What I Need To Know ………………………………………………………………….. 3
What I Know ……………………………………………………………………………... 3
What’s In …………………………………………………………………………………. 6
What’s New ………………………………………………………………………………. 7
Activity ………………………………………………………………………. 7
What Is It …………………………………………………………………………………. 8
Random Variables …………………………………………………………. 8
Discrete and Continuous Random Variables …………………………… 8
Discrete Random Probability Distribution ……………………………….. 9
What’s More ……………………………………………………………………………… 17
Activity 1 …………………………………………………………………….. 17
Activity 2 …………………………………………………………………... 17
Activity 3 …………………………………………………………………... 18
What I Have Learned …………………………………………………………………… 18
What I Can Do …………………………………………………………………………… 19
Post-Assessment ………………………………………………………………………... 20
Additional Activities ……………………………………………………………………… 22
Answer Key ………………………………………………………………………………. 23
References ………………………………………………………………………………. 24

v
Random Variables and
Probability Distribution
Learner's Module in Statistics and
Probability
Quarter 3 ● Module 1 ● Week 1

BRYAN A. HIDALGO
Developer

Department of Education • Cordillera Administrative Region

1
Introductory Message
This self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue
your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and
discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as you
discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-test is provided to measure your prior knowledge on the lessons in each SLM. This will
tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask your facilitator
or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of each
module, you need to answer the port-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are
provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM.
Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. Read the instructions
carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this module or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this
module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you!

2
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the knowledge and skills on random variables and probability distribution. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arrranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook or reference you are now using.

While going through the module, you are expected to:

1. illustrate random variable (discrete and continuous),

2. distinguish between a discrete and a continuous random variable,
3. find the possible values of a random variable, and
4. illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties.

What I Know

Pre-Assessment
Read and answer each question. Write your answer in capital letters before the number.

1. Which of the following situations represents a random variable?

A. The career choices of randomly selected SHS students
B. The SHS program offered by randomly selected schools
C. The number of siblings of randomly selected SHS students
D. The highest educational attainment of parents of randomly selected SHS students

For numbers 2 and 3, refer to the following numbered statements.

I. The average age of a class of SHS students
II. The number of printing errors in an edition of a book
III. The combined monthly salary of parents of SHS students
IV. The number of viewers for a particular showing of a television soap

2. Which of these are discrete random variables?

A. I and II B. III and IV C. I and III D. II and IV

3. Which of these are continuous random variables?

A. I and II B. III and IV C. I and III D. II and IV

For numbers 4 to 8, refer to the following situation.

Two dice are thrown. Let 𝑋 represent the sum of the numbers
shown when the dice come to rest.

3
4. How many sample space will there be for the random variable, 𝑋?
A. 6 B. 9 C. 11 D. 12

5. Which of the following is NOT a possible outcome of the random variable, 𝑋?

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

6. What is the probability of getting a sum of 7?

1 1 1 1
A. B. C. D.
6 9 12 18

7. Find the probability of getting a sum of 11.

1 1 1 1
A. B. C. D.
9 12 18 36

8. Compute the probability of getting a sum of 5.

1 1 1 1
A. B. C. D.
9 12 18 36

For numbers 9 to 15, refer to the given experiment below.

Three coins are tossed simultaneously. Let 𝑋 represent the number of tails that
appear when the coins come to rest.

9. How many outcomes are possible for the random variable, X?

A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 8

10. What is the probability that 2 tails will appear?

A. 0 B. 0.125 C. 0.375 D. 1

11. Compute the probability that 1 tail will appear.

A. 0 B. 0.125 C. 0.375 D. 1

12. Determine the probability that no tail will appear.

A. 0 B. 0.125 C. 0.375 D. 1

13. What is the probability that 3 tails will appear.

A. 0 B. 0.125 C. 0.375 D. 1

4
14. Which of the following represents the probability distribution of the random variable?
A. 𝑋 𝑷(𝒙) C. 𝑋 𝑷(𝒙)
0 0 0.375
1 0.25 2 0.375
2 0.50 3 0.125
3 0.25 4 0

B. 𝑋 𝑷(𝒙)
0 0.125
1 0.375
2 0.375
3 0.125
D. 𝑋 𝑷(𝒙)
1 0.25
2 0.50
3 0.25
4 1

15. Which of the following graphs represents the probability distribution of the random
variable?
A. RF 1 C. RF 1

0.5 0.5

0 0
0 1 2 3 1 2 3 4
𝑥 𝑥
B. RF 1 D. RF 1

0.5 0.5

0 0
0 1 2 3 1 2 3 4
𝑥 𝑥

5
 Lesson Random Variable and Probability
1 Distribution

What’s In

Before starting formally with the main lesson, go over the discussion and activity on
probability of simple and compound events, which you have learned when you were in lower
grades. The knowledge and skills on these topics are pre-requisite skills to the
understanding of random variables.

Recall that the probability of a simple event describes the chance of a single event
occuring because the event can only happen in only one way. On the other hand, the
probability of compound events describes the chances of more than one simple event.

In general, when all the outcomes are equally likely, the probability of a particular
event occurs is

𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑶𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒔

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 =
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔
.

Example:
Suppose a fair coin is tossed, there are two possible outcomes which are head and
tail. It is assumed that the outcomes are equally likely because the coin is fair. Therefore, the
probability of tossing a head is

𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 =
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔

𝟏
𝑷(𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅) = 𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝟎. 𝟓 𝒐𝒓 𝟓𝟎%

When outcomes are not equally likely, the relative frequency of historic data is
used and the probability of an event occuring is

𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 =
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔
.

Example:
Suppose that one wants to calculate the probability that an electronic chip produced
by a machine is defective. If records show that out of 8000 electronic chips already produced
by the machine only 80 were defective then an estimate of the probability of a defective chip
is
𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅
𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒑 = .
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆𝒅

6
 𝟖𝟎
𝑷(𝑫𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆) = 𝒐𝒓 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝟏%
𝟖𝟎𝟎𝟎

What’s New

From the examples under What’s In, the outcome of the probability experiments is a
numerical value. When this occurs, the outcome is called a random variable. Informally, a
random variable is a variable whose numerical value is determined by the outcome of a
random procedure. What makes it random is that the observed value of the random variable
cannot be determined until a random procedure is carried out. A random variable is
associated to observations in the real world where uncertainty is involved.

The following are examples of random variables because the outcomes are numbers.

Values (𝒙) of
Random Variable (𝑿)
Random Variable 𝑿
The number of boys in a family of 3 children 0, 1, 2, or 3
The temperature in Baguio City on a particular day From 8.5 oC to 29 oC
The percentage of SHS students infected by COVID 19
From 0 % to 100 %
in CAR
The age of a child selected at random From 1 to 17 years old
The number of phone calls received by a food delivery
0, 1, 2, 3, …, 𝑛
service crew in a day

ACTIVITY
Decide whether the following situations are random variables or not. Write YES if it is
a random variable and NO if it is not on the space provided.

Situation Answer
1. The color of the next car to go past my house

2. The height of a school building selected at random

3. The number of attempts a student needs to pass his
or her NC II assessment
4. The brand of COVID-19 vaccines authorized and
recommended by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) of the Philippines
5. The price of a particular face mask

Are you able to answer all the problems? If yes, you may now check your answers in the
Answer Key Section at the end of the module.

7
 What Is It

Random Variables
A random experiment is a process by which we observe something uncertain.
A sample space is a collection of all possible outcomes of a random experiment. A sample
space may be finite or infinite. Infinite sample spaces may be discrete or continuous.
A random variable is a function defined on a sample space. It takes specific values and can
be thought as a variable whose value depends on the outcome of an uncertain event.

We usually denote random variables by capital letters of the English Alphabet like
𝑋, 𝑌, 𝑜𝑟 𝑍 and its values can be denoted by its corresponding small letters.

The word “random” in the term “random variable” simply means that the value is
uncertain.

Illustrative Example:
Random Experiment
Tossing of a coin
Sample Space
𝑆 = {𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑, 𝑇𝑎𝑖𝑙} or 𝑆 = {𝐻, 𝑇}
Random Variables
(below are two examples from tossing a coin)

Let 𝑋 be the number of heads Let 𝑌 be the number of tails

Values (𝒙) Values (𝒚)
𝑋 = {0,1} 𝑌 = {0,1}

Discrete and Continuous Random Variables

Random variables fall into two distinct types – discrete and continuous. A discrete
random variable can only take some values within a range whereas a continuous random
variable can take any value within a range. The following illustrations show the diffrence
between discrete and continuous variables.

Discrete random variables are countable while continuous random variables are
measurable.

8
 The result of throwing a die is a discrete random variable because it can only take
some of the values from 1 to 6. On the other hand, the temperature in Baguio City on a
particular day is a continuous random variable because it can take any value within the
range 8.5oC to 30oC.

It is usual to give a random variable a label. The probability that 𝑿 takes a particular
value, say 𝒙 can then be written 𝑷(𝒙) 𝑜𝑟 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙). For instance, the probability that 𝑋 takes
a value of 2 can be written 𝑃(2) 𝑜𝑟 𝑃(𝑋 = 2).

Consider another example of a random variable: A fair coin is turned vertically on a

flat surface. Here are two related random variables.

 Let 𝑋 be the time between the commencement of the spin and the coin coming
to rest, measured in seconds.

 Let 𝑌 be the number of tails showing when the coin comes to rest. Then, 𝑌 takes
the value 0 if the coin finishes up ‘heads’, or 1 if the coin finishes up ‘tails’.

Here, 𝑋 is continuous and 𝑌 is discrete.

Example 1
Decide whether the following random variables are discrete or continuous.

Random Variable Write Discrete or Continuous

1. The depth of the sea at a randomly chosen
Continuous
point
2. The number of text messages received by a
Discrete
Toyota service maintenance crew in an hour
3. The number of attempts a dart player can hit
Discrete
the target
4. The price of mobile phones in the market Continuous
5. The number of students to graduate from
Discrete
senior high school
6. The percentage of children who received the
Continuous
COVID-19 vaccine
7. The time taken for an athlete to run 1500
Continuous
meters
8. The number of heads when a coin is tossed
Discrete
10 times in succession

Discrete Random Probability Distribution

Each value of a discrete random variable can be assigned a probability. By listing

each value of the random variable with its corresponding probability, a discrete probability
distribution is formed.

9
 The probability distribution of a discrete random variable, 𝑋, is a list of
all possible values of 𝑋 can take and the associated probabilities.

As the probability distribution includes all possible outcomes for 𝑋, and these
outcomes are mutually exclusive (only one can occur at once) the probability of each value
of the discrete random variable is from 0 to 1. In notatotion, 0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑥) ≤ 1. The sum of all the
probabilities in the probability distribution is 1. In notation, ∑ 𝑃(𝑥) = 1. The capital Greek
letter sigma (Σ) denotes summation.

Because probabilities represent relative frequencies, a discrete probability

distribution can be graphed with a relative frequency histogram.

Guidelines in Constructing a Discrete Probability Distribution

Let 𝑋 be a discrete random variable with possible outcomes 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , . . . , 𝑥𝑛 .
1. Make a frequency distribution for the possible outcomes
2. Find the sum of the frequencies.
3. Find the probability of each possible outcome by dividing its
frequency by the sum of the frequencies.
4. Check that each probability is from 0 to 1 and that the sum of all
probabilities is 1.

Example 2
A coin is tossed twice. Let 𝑋 be the number of heads observed in tossing of the coin.
Construct a probability distribution of the random variable 𝑋.

Solution

Frequency Distribution
No. of Heads (𝒙) Frequency of Outcome (𝒇)
0 1
1 2
2 1
Σ𝑓 = 4
Computing the probability of each outcome
1. Sum of frequencies of outcomes is 4.
2. Probability of each outcome

10
 a. Probability of getting no head:
Since there is 1 outcome of getting no head and the sum of
frequencies is 4, then
1
𝑃(0) = .
4

b. Probability of getting 1 head:

There are two (2) outcomes of getting 1 head and the sum of
frequencies is 4; thus, the probability of getting 1 head is
2 1
𝑃(1) = or .
4 2

c. Probability of getting 2 heads:

The outcome of getting 2 heads is 1 and the sum of frequencies is 4;
thus, the probability of getting 2 heads is
1
𝑃(2) = .
4

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
3. Observed that 0 < 𝑷(𝟎) = < 1, 0 < 𝑷(𝟏) = < 1, and 0 < 𝑷(𝟎) = < 1.
𝟒 𝟐 𝟒
1 1 1
Also, when 𝑃(0), 𝑃(1) and 𝑃(2) are added, the sum is 1. That is, + + = 1.
4 2 4

Notice that the probabilities of all outcomes are between 0 and 1; and the
sum of the probabilities of all outcomes is 1. Thus, if 𝑥 is the outcome (Number of
heads) and 𝑃(𝑥) is the probability, then the probability distribution of 𝑋, the
number of heads observed is

Probability Distribution
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
1
0 4
1
1 2
1
2 4
Σ𝑃(𝑥) = 1

Relative Frequency Histrogram of the Probability Distribution of Example 2

Depending on what is given, the guidelines in constructing a discrete probability

distribution may not always be followed – some steps may be skipped.

11
Example 3
A survey about mobile phone ownership reports that 96% of the surveyed individuals
own at least 1 mobile phone. Of these, 40% own 2 mobile phones, 25% own 3 mobile
phones, 5% own 4 mobile phones and none owns 5 or more mobile phones. Let 𝑋 be the
number of mobile phones owned by an individual. Construct a probability distribution.

Solution
Probability of each outcome:
a. Probability of no mobile phone
Since the percentage of individuals who own at least 1 mobile phone
is 96%, then the precentage of individuals with no mobile phone is 4%. Thus,
the probability of no phone is 0.04, 𝑃(0) = 0.04.

Before one can find the probability of owning 1 mobile phone, the probabilities of
owning 2, 3, and 4 mobile phones shall be computed first. The probability of owning 1 mobile
phone is equal to the probability of owning at least 1 phone minus the probabilities of owning
2, 3, and 4 mobile phones.

b. Probability of owning 2 mobile phones

To get the0.384 probability of owning 2 mobile phones, get the 40% of
96%, which is 0.384. Thus, the probability of owning 2 mobile phones is
𝑃(2) = 0.384.

c. Probability of owning 3 mobile phones

The percentage of individuals who own 3 mobile phones is 25% of
96%. Thus, the probability of owning 3 mobile phones is 0.25 times 0.96,
which is 0.24 or 𝑃(3) = 0.24.

d. Probability of owning 4 mobile phones

Of the indviduals who own at least 1 mobile phone, 5% of these own
4 mobile phones. Thus, to get the probability of owning 4 mobile phones is to
multiply 96% by 5%. The answer is 0.048 or 𝑃(4) = 0.048.

e. Probability of owning 5 mobile phones

Because none owns 5 or more mobile phones, the probability of
owning 5 mobile phones is 0 or 𝑃(5) = 0.

f. Probability of owning 1 mobile phone

The sum of the probabilities of owning 2, 3, and 4 mobile phones is
0.672 because the probability of owning at least 1 mobile phone is 0.96. The
probability of owning 2 mobile phones is 0.96 minus 0.672. The difference is
0.288 or 𝑃(1) = 0.288.

Observed that 0 < 𝑷(𝟎) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒 < 1, 0 < 𝑷(𝟏) = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟖𝟖 < 1,

0 < 𝑷(𝟐) = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟖𝟒 < 1, 0 < 𝑷(𝟑) = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟒 < 1, 0 < 𝑷(𝟒) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝟖 < 1, and 𝑷(𝟓) = 0.
If these probabilities are added the sum is 1. That is, 0.04 + 0.288 + 0.384 + 0.24 + 0.048 +
0 = 1.

12
 The probability distribution of 𝑋, which is the number of mobile phones owned by an
individual is
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
0 0.04
1 0.288
2 0.384
3 0.24
4 0.048
5 0
Σ𝑃(𝑥) = 1

Relative Frequency Histrogram of the Probability Distribution of Example 3

Example 4
At a school fair, there is a spinner with 12 equal sectors. If you spin the spinner and
lands on a specific sector, the number on that sector corresponds to the number of tokens
you will win. What is the probability distribution of X, the number of tokens you will win?

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

Solution
1. Let 𝑋 be the number of tokens you will win.

From the spinner, the possible outcomes of spinning or the possible values of 𝑋
are 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

13
 Frequency Distribution
No. of Tokens (𝑿) Frequency of Outcome (𝒇)
0 4
1 3
2 2
3 2
4 1
Σ𝑓 = 12

2. The sum of frequencies of outcomes is 12.

3. Probability of each outcome

a. Probability of winning no token
To get the probability of winning no token, get the frequency of
outcomes corresponding to 𝑥 = 0 which is 4 then divide it by the sum of
4 1
frequencies which is 12. Thus, the probability of winning no token is or or
12 3
1
𝑃(0) = .
3

b. Probability of winning 1 token

There are 3 frequencies of winning 1 token and the sum of
3 1
frequencies is 12. Thus, the probability of winning 1 token is or or 𝑃(1) =
12 4
1
.
4

c. Probability of winning 2 tokens

From the frequency distribution, there are 2 frequencies of winning 2
tokens. Since the sum of frequencies is 12, the probability of winning 2 tokens
2 1 1
is or or 𝑃(2) = .
12 6 6

d. Probability of winning 3 tokens

To get the probability of winning 3 tokens, divide the frequency by the
2 1
sum of frequencies. Thus, the probability of of winning 3 tokens is or or
12 6
1
𝑃(3) = .
6

e. Probability of winning 4 tokens

Since there is one outcome or frequency of winning 4 tokens and the
1
sum of frequencies is 12 then the probability of winning 4 tokens is or
12
1
𝑃(4) = .
12

4. Looking at the probabilities of each outcome, we see that the probabilities of

winning 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 tokens are all from 0 to 1. The sum of these probabilities
1 1 1 1 1
is 1 or + + + + = 1.
3 4 6 6 12

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 Probability Distribution
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
4
0 12
3
1 12
2
2 12
2
3 12
1
4 12
Σ𝑃(𝑥) = 1

Relative Frequency Histrogram of the Probability Distribution of Example 4

Example 5:
Decide whether the distribution is a probability distribution or not. State your reason.
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
1
1 2
1
2 4
5
3 4
1
4 4

Solution:
There are two properties to be checked in deciding whether a distribution is a
probability distribution. These are: (1) the probability of each value of the discrete random
variable is from 0 to 1 or 0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑥) ≤ 1 and (2) the sum of all probabilities in the probability
distribution is 1 or ∑ 𝑃(𝑥) = 1. If one or both of these two properties are not satisfied, then
the distribution is NOT a probability distribution.

a. Check if the probability of each value of the discrete random probability is from 0 to 1,
or it is equal to 0 or 1.

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 𝑷(𝒙) Is the probability of 𝒙 from 𝟎 to 𝟏?
1
𝑃(1) = Yes
2
1
𝑃(2) = Yes
4
5
𝑃(3) = No
4
1
𝑃(4) = Yes
4

5
Because 𝑃(3) = is not from 0 and 1, the first property of a probability distribution is
4
not satisfied.

b. Check if the sum of all probabilities in the distribution is 1.

1 1 5 1 9 1
∑ 𝑃(𝑥) = + + + = 𝑜𝑟 2 .
2 4 4 4 4 4

The sum of the probabilities is not equal to 1. Thus, the second property of the
probability distribution is not also satisfied.

c. Because the two properties of a probability distribution are not satisfied, the
distribution is NOT a probability distribution.

Example 6:
Find the value of 𝑃(1) to make the distribution a probability distribution.
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
0 0.05
1 ?
2 0.23
3 0.21
4 0.17
5 0.11
6 0.08

Solution:
The probability of each value of the random variable and the sum of all probabilities
in the distribution must satisfy the properties of a probability distribution.

a. From the given distribution, 𝑃(1) is missing. We know that the sum of all
probababilities shall be 1 for the distribution to be a probability distribution. Thus, if
we add all probabilities in the distribution the sum should be 1. That is,

Σ𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑃(0) + 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(2) + 𝑃(3) + 𝑃(4) + 𝑃(5) + 𝑃(6)

Σ𝑃(𝑥) = 0.05 + 𝑃(1) + 0.23 + 0.21 + 0.17 + 0.11 + 0.08

16
 Σ𝑃(𝑥) = 0.85

P(1) = 1 − Σ𝑃𝑥

𝑃(1) = 1 − 0.85

𝑷(𝟏) = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓

b. All the probabilities are between 0 to 1. Thus, the value of 𝑃(1) = 0.15.

What’s More

Now, it is your turn to apply all the knowledge and skills you have learned on random
variables and probability distribution.

Activity 1
Write Discrete if the random variable can take some values within a range or Continuous if
it can take any value within the range.
Random Variable 𝑿 Answer
1. The number of problems answered correctly in a test

2. The time taken to serve a customer at a restaurant

3. The price of gasoline at the end of each month

4. The annual rate of return of investment

5. The number of cars parked in the school’s parking area
on each day

Activity 2
Solve the given problem.
In a children’s game, the die has two faces marked with 1, two faces marked with 2,
and two faces marked with 3.

a. Write down all the possible outcomes that will be shown by throwing two dice
then find their sums.
First Die Second Die Sum

17
 b. Let 𝑋 be the sum of the numbers. Construct a probability distribution.
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)

c. Construct a frequency histogram of the probability distribution.

Activity 3
Write whether the distribution is a probability distribution or not. State your reason.
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
1 0.30
2 0.25
3 0.25
4 0.05
5 0.15

Are you able to answer all the problems? If yes, you may now check your answers in the
Answer Key Section at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned

To summarize what you have learned from the discussions on random variables and
probability distributions, accomplish this activity.

Do any experiments related to spinning a fair spinner.

18
 1. From the given situation above, give two examples of a random variable that can be
done as experiments.

a.

b.

2. From your examples of a random variable, classify each if it is a discrete or

continuous then identify the possible outcomes of the random variable.
Type of Random Values (𝒙)
Random Variable Variable of the Random
(Discrete or Continuous) Variable 𝑿

a.

b.

What I Can Do
Conduct an experiment on the following random variables by interviewing 30
households in your community. Make a summary of your findings by constructing a
frequency distribution and a probability distribution for each of the random variables.

Let 𝑋 be the number of dogs per household

a. Frequency Distribution
𝑿 𝒇

b. Probability Distribution
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)

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 Post-Assessment

Read and answer each question. Write your answer in capital letters before the number.

1. Which of the following situations represents a random variable?

A. The color of uniforms of a randomly selected basketball team
B. The number of athletes per team who participated in the CARAA
C. The winning teams in the different games in the CARAA
D. The names of the technical working committees for the CARAA

For numbers 2 and 3, refer to the following numbered statements.

I. The scores in a 20-item test of randomly selected SHS students
II. The quarterly average grade of randomly selected SHS students
III. The number of school clubs joined by randomly selected SHS students
IV. The time spent by randomly selected SHS students in accomplishing the test

2. Which of these are discrete random variables?

A. I and II B. III and IV C. I and III D. II and IV

3. Which of these are continuous random variables?

A. I and II B. III and IV C. I and III D. II and IV

For numbers 4 to 10, refer to the following situation.

A fair die has 3 faces marked with 1, two faces marked with 2 and
one face marked with 3. Two dice of such are thrown. Let 𝑋 represent
the sum of the numbers shown when the dice come to rest.

4. How many sample space will there be for the random variable, 𝑋?
A. 3 B. 5 C. 6 D. 12

5. Which of the following is NOT a sample space of the random variable, 𝑋?

A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 7

6. What is the probability of getting a sum of 6?

1 1 1 1
A. B. C. D.
3 4 9 36

7. Find the probability of getting a sum of 3.

1 1 1 1
A. B. C. D.
3 4 9 36

8. Compute the probability of getting a sum of 5.

1 1 1 1
A. B. C. D.
3 4 9 36

20
9. Which of the following represents the probability distribution of the random variable?
A. 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙) C. 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
1 0 3 0.333
2 0.250 4 0.278
3 0.333 5 0.111
4 0.278 6 0.028
5 0.111 7 0

B. 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
2 0.250
3 0.333
4 0.278
5 0.111
6 0.028
D. 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
0 0
1 0
2 0.250
3 0.333
4 0.278

10. Which of the following graphs represents the probability distribution of the random
variable?

1 1
A. C.

0.50 0.50

0 0
2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5
x x
1 1
B. D.

0.50 0.50

0 0
3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4
x x
For numbers 11 to 15, refer to the given experiment below.
Two fair coins are tossed simultaneously. Let 𝑋 represent the number of tails that
appears when the coins come to rest.

11. How many outcomes are possible for the random variable, 𝑋?
A. 0 B. 1 C. 2 D. 3

12. What is the probability that 2 tails will appear?

A. 0 B. 0.25 C. 0.5 D. 1

13. Compute the probability that 1 tail will appear.

A. 0 B. 0.25 C. 0.5 D. 1

21
14. Determine the probability that no tail will appear.
A. 0 B. 0.25 C. 0.5 D. 1

15. Which of the following represents the probability distribution of the random variable?
A. 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙) C. 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
1 0.25 1 0.25
2 0.50 2 0.50
3 0.25 3 1

B. 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙) D. 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
0 0 0 0.25
1 0.50 1 0.50
2 0.50 2 0.25

Additional Activities

Apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned on random variables and
probability distribution by answering the following questions.

Activity 1
Confirm if the relative frequency histogram represents a probability distribution. State
your reason.

Activity 2
Answer the problem below.
Students are given 3 chances to pass a professional examination. A student who
passed is selected at random. The probability distribution of 𝑋, the attempt at which this
student passed, is given as

0.4𝑥−1 (0.6)
𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 1, 2, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 3.
0.936

a. Write the probability distribution of 𝑋?

b. What proportion of the students who passed at the third and final attempt

22
 23
What I Know What’s More: Activity 2
1. C a.
2. D First Die Second Die Sum
3. C 1 1 2
4. C 1 2 3
5. A
6. A 1 3 4
7. C 2 1 3
8. A 2 2 4
9. C 2 3 5
10. C
3 1 4
11. C
12. B 3 2 5
13. B 3 3 6
14. B b.
15. A 𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
2 0.111
What’s New
Activity 3 0.222
1. No 4 0.333
2. Yes 5 0.222
3. Yes 6 0.111
4. No
5. Yes
c.
What’s More: Activity 1 1
1. Discrete
2. Continuous
3. Continuous
4. Continuous 0.67
5. Discrete
What’s More: Activity 3 0.33
Answers may vary
Post Assessment
1. B 0
2 3 4 5 6
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. D
6. D What I Have Learned
7. A Answers may vary
8. C
9. B What I Can Do
10. A Answers may vary
11. D
12. B Additional Activities
13. C 1. Yes. Both properties of a probability distribution are
14. B satisfied.
15. D 2. a.
𝑿 𝑷(𝒙)
1 0.641
2 0.256
3 0.102
b. 𝑃(3) = 0.102
Answer Key
References
Bogomolny, Alexander. 2018. Sample spaces and random variables. Accessed March 10,
2021. https://www.cut-the-
knot.org/Probability/SampleSpaces.shtml#:~:text=A%20sample%20space%20is%20
a,defined%20on%20a%20sample%20space.

Glasssrman, Paul. 2001. Random variables, distributions, and expected value. Columbia
Business School. Accsessed March 10, 2021.
https://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/faculty/pglasserman/B6014/RandomVariables.pdf

Gordon, Ian. 2013. A guide for teachers - years 11 and 12 probability and statistics: module
19. Carlton South Victoria, Australia.

Nik, Hossein P. Introduction to probability, statistics and random processes. Accessed

March 10, 2021.
https://www.probabilitycourse.com/chapter1/1_3_1_random_experiments.php

Swift, Louise. 1997. Mathematics and statistics for business, management and finance.
Hampshire: MacMillan Press LTD.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Cordillera Administrative Region
Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet
Telefax: 442-1318 / 422-4074
Email Address: car@deped.gov.ph
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Regional LRMS TN: 2802-13-21MELCS

Random Variables and Probability Distribution
Self-Learning Module in Statistics and Probability

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