Random

Variables
 Recall:
Random Variables

• Random Experiment/Process - An experiment which can be

repeatedly done under the same condition. Ex. Rolling 2 dice
• Sample Space – List of all possible outcomes in a random
experiment. Ex. In rolling 2 dice, the possible outcomes are (1,1),
(1,2), (1,3), (1,4),…, (6,5), (6,6)
• Event – A subset of the sample space. Ex. Event of getting doubles in
rolling 2 dice
• Probability – the possibility or chance that an event will occur. Ex.
.

Probability of getting doubles: Using the classical probability

.

.
(number of favorable outcomes/number of possible outcomes), the
.
probability is 6/36 or 1/6)
.

.
 Flipping a coin
Random Variables

What are the possible outcomes when you flip a coin?

.
.
HEAD TAIL
. “H” “T”
.

.
 Flipping 2 coins
Random Variables

1st Coin 2nd Coin Final Outcomes

HH

HT

. TH
.

. TT
.

.
 Flipping 3 coins
Random Variables

Final Outcomes
1st Coin 2nd Coin 3rd Coin
HHH
HHT

HTH

HTT

. THH
.
THT
.
TTH
.

. TTT
.
 Sample Space
Random Variables

• Flipping a coin: S = {H,T}

• Flipping 2 coins: S = {HH, HT, TH, TT}
• Flipping 3 coins: S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, THT, TTH, TTT}

.
 Note that the possible outcomes in flipping three coins
are HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, THT, TTH, and TTT.
Suppose we are interested in the in the
Random Variables

outcomes. Let us now assign numbers to these outcomes.

Now what happens to 3 1 2

these assigned HHH HTT THH
values 0 2 1
if we are interested 2 1
in the HHT THT
in the outcomes? 1 2
.

.
a. Remain the same 2 1 0
. HTH TTH TTT
.
b. Change 1 2 3
.

.
 If you notice…
Random Variables

Variable of interest:

THT

. Variable of interest:
.

.
THT
.

.
 Random Variable
Random Variables

S No. of heads
HHH
X = number of heads HHT
3

HTH
The values of X can HTT
2

be 0,1, 2 or 3. THH
. 1
.
THT
. TTH
.
0
TTT
.

.
 Random Variable
Random Variables

Intuitive Definition
A variable with numerical value that can take on,
or represent any possible outcome in a random
process or experiment.
Mathematical Definition
A random variable X is a function from a sample
.

. space S into the real numbers

.

.
 Points to remember:
Random Variables

• A random variable is represented by an uppercase letter,

such as X, while its corresponding lower case, represents
one of its values. Ex. X=number of heads, x=0, x=1, x=2,
x=3

• The value associated to an outcome depends on the

random variable itself. Ex. In tossing 3 coins, if the random
variable X=number of heads, then for the outcome THT,
.

x=1. On the other hand, if the random variable X=number

.

.
of tails, then for the outcome THT, x=2.
.

.
 Thought Experiment
Random Variables

• If you roll a die, how many possible outcomes are

there?
• Exactly “1”
• Exactly “2”
• Exactly “3”
• Exactly “4”
.
• Exactly “5”
. • Exactly “6”
. Can you get a 1.3? a 2.7? a 3.5? NO
. There are NO IN-BETWEEN, only 6 outcomes.
.

.
 Thought Experiment
Random Variables

• If you are to measure the weights in kilograms of

randomly selected whole chicken in a supermarket,
how many possible outcomes can you get?

- could be any value; infinitely

many possibilities
If you are to put these
.
values in a die, what would
the die probably look like?
.

.
Numerous sides
. Continuous curve - SPHERE
.

.
 Types of Random Variables
Random Variables

Discrete Random Variable

- A random variable which may take finite number
of distinct values or a countably infinite sequence
of values
Examples:
X = number of items answered correctly in a 5-item quiz
.

. Y = number of lottery tickets purchased until the first

. winning ticket
.

.
 Discrete Random Variable
Random Variables

Example:
X = number of items answered correctly in a 5-item quiz
X = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Y = number of lottery tickets purchased until the first

winning ticket
.

. Y = 1, 2, 3, 4…
.

.
 Types of Random Variables
Continuous Random Variable
- A random variable which can assume an infinite
number of values between two specific values

Examples:
.
X = weight in pounds of newly born babies in a hospital
.

. Y = temperature of a cup of coffee served at a

. restaurant
.

.
 Continuous Random Variable
Examples:
X = weight in pounds of newly born babies in a hospital
Y = temperature of a cup of coffee served at a
restaurant
.
X and Y can assume infinitely many values. For the
possible values of X, imagine the values just in between
.

.
6 and 7 pounds: 6.0001, 6.0005, 6.1253, and so on.
. Same goes with the possible values of Y.
.
 Points to remember:
• Values that can be assumed by a discrete random
variable are whole numbers and are often results of
counting
• Values that can be assumed by a continuous
. random variable are infinitely many; can be any
.
value including all decimal values and are often
results of measurement
.

.
 Quick Test
Determine if the random variable X or Y is discrete or continuous.

1. X = number of loans applied by a randomly selected

teacher

2. Y = average amount spent in electricity in the month of July of

Brgy. Ampayon residents
.

. 3. Z = number of courses a randomly selected student is

. taking
.