University of San Carlos

- North Campus
SENIORHIGHS
CHOOL
ABM,AD,HUMSS,andSTEM

STAT 01

Random Variables and

Probability Distribution
UNIT 1

by: Ayla Grace I. Baylon

 STAT01|UNIT1

Learning Goals
You will be able to:
✓ illustrate & distinguish between a discrete and a
continuous random variable;
✓ find the possible values of a random variable; ❑
illustrate and compute probabilities corresponding to a
given random variable;
❑ Illustrate, calculate and interpret the mean and the
variance of a discrete random variable; and
❑ solve problems involving mean and variance of
probability distributions.
GAME TIME!

1. Select five numbers from 2-12 and write the five numbers on
a sheet of paper.
2. Two dice will be thrown. If the sum of the dice is the same as
the number you have written on your paper, then cross out
the number.
3. The first one to cross out all five numbers should stand-up
and say “GAME OVER” and wins the game.
 Can you think of way/strategy so that you
have a greater chance of winning the
games?
STAT01|UNIT1
Example 1: Rolling two dice
 This activity results to 6x6=36 sample points
STAT01|UNIT1

DEFINITION OF TERMS: a recall

 • Experiment - An experiment is any activity or procedure
which generates a set of data.
• Sample space (S) - A collection of all possible outcomes in
a given experiment.
• Event - A subset of a sample space.
• Sample point - Each outcome of a sample space.
STAT01|UNIT1
Probability Distribution: Definition The listing
of each possible value the random variable can
assume, together with its probability.
��� ��(�
�
���)
⋮ ⋮
Random
�� = ��(� ��� ��(�
�� �) �
���)
��� ��(�
�
���)
Probability for each ��
Variable �� �� =������������ ����
����������������
��������������
������������ ����������
 Distribution
Probability STAT01|UNIT1

A probability distribution must satisfy the following conditions

In Words In Symbols
1. The probability of each value of the
discrete random variable is 0 ≤ P (x) ≤ 1 ΣP (x) = 1
between 0 and 1, inclusive.

2. The sum of all the

probabilities is 1.
 Coin
Example 2: Tossing STAT01|UNIT1

Consider a coin-tossing experiment where two coins

are tossed and no heads, one head, or two heads are
observed. Create a probability distribution for the
situation.
�� = ��(�
�� �)
 STAT01|UNIT1
Example 3.a: Spinning Wheel
The spinner below is spun once. The probability of
landing on the 1 is 0.25. The probability of landing on
the 2 is 0.75. Let X be the area the head of the spinner
lands on. Construct a probability distribution for the
random variable X.
�� = ��(�
�� �)
1

STAT01|UNIT1
Example 3.b: Spinning Wheel
The spinner below is divided into two sections. The
probability of landing on the 1 is 0.25. The probability of
landing on the 2 is 0.75. Let X be the number the
spinner lands on. Construct a probability distribution
for the random variable x.
Let X be the sum of the two spins
1

�� = ��(�
�� �)
STAT01|UNIT1
Example 3.b: Spinning Wheel
Graph the following 0.5
probability distribution
0.4
using a bar graph.
�� = ��(� 0.3
�� �)
0.2
2 0.0625
0.1
3 0.375

4 0.5625
x
0
Probability
Sum of Two Spins
0.6
 2 3 4 Sum
STAT01|UNIT1

Drill
Get ¼ yellow paper. Answer in 10 minutes.
Consider a die that has been modified so that it has one face
with one dot, two faces with two dots, and three faces with
three dots. Let �� be the number of dots observed. Construct
a probability distribution for the random variable ��.
STAT01|UNIT1

Learning Goals
 You will be able to:
✓ illustrate & distinguish between a discrete and a
continuous random variable;
✓ find the possible values of a random variable; ✓
illustrate and compute probabilities corresponding to a
given random variable;
❑ Illustrate, calculate and interpret the mean and the
variance of a discrete random variable; and
❑ solve problems involving mean and variance of
probability distributions.
STAT01|UNIT1
Example 4: Arcade Games
 Slot Machine;
Spinning Wheel

Which game would you advise your sibling to play?

STAT01|UNIT1
DEFINITION OF TERMS: a recall

• The mean is computed by adding all the values and then

dividing by the total number of values.

• The standard deviation tells us how spread out or

clustered are the values about the mean of a data set.
STAT01|UNIT1

EXPECTED VALUE, ��(��): Definition

• mean of a discrete random variable

 • The mean, µ, of a discrete random variable �� is found by
multiplying each possible value of �� by its own
probability and then adding all the products together.

��(����)
µ = �� �� = ��=��
෍
��
���� •
STAT01|UNIT1

EXPECTED VALUE, ��(��): Interpretation

➢ Gives measure of the center of the distribution ➢

 Describes the center or common data in the distribution ➢
Location of the data: center of where the points are
STAT01|UNIT1

VARIANCE, ������ (��): Definition

• Variance of a discrete random variable

2
• The variance, σ ,of a discrete random variable �� is found

by multiplying each possible value of the squared

2
deviation from the mean, (��−μ) ,by its own probability
and then adding all the products together.
 �� ��
[����−��]
��
�� = •
������ �� = ��(�� )��=��
��
෍
STAT01|UNIT1

VARIANCE, ������ (��) : Interpretation

❑Measures how far a set of data is spread out

i. variance of zero (0) - indicates that all of the data values are
identical
ii.Small variance – indicates that the data points tend to be
very close to each other to the mean and to each other.
 iii.High variance – indicates that the data points are very
spread from the mean and from each other.
STAT01|UNIT1

Standard Deviation: Definition

• The positive square root of variance.

σ = ������ ��
 STAT01|UNIT1

Standard Deviation: Interpretation

❑how much variation (dispersion, spread, scatter) from the

mean exists.
 i. Low Starndard deviation – indicates the data points tend
to be very close to the mean.
ii.High standard deviation – indicates that the data points
are spread out over a large number of values.
STAT01|UNIT1
Example 4: Arcade Games
 Slot Machine;
Spinning Wheel

Which game would you advise your sibling to play?

STAT01|UNIT1
Example 4: Arcade Games
Expected value of the slot machine;
➢�� �� = σ �� • ��(��)
�� �� = �� ��.�� + �� ��.�� + ���� ��.���� +
���� ��.�� + ������(��.����) �� �� = 13.40
 tickets

Expected value of the spinning wheel;

➢�� �� = σ �� • �� ��
�� �� = �� ��.�� + �� ��. ���� + �� ��.���� +

���� ��.���� + ������(��.����) �� �� = 15.55

tickets
This implies that spinning wheel would be the best game to play because, on
average, your brother will earn ~16 tickets for each play , while on the slot
machine on average is ~13 tickets for each play.
STAT01|UNIT1
Example 4: Arcade Games
▪ Calculate the ������ �� and σ for
i. Slot Machine
ii. Spinning Wheel
STAT01|UNIT1

Drill
In your drawing book.
Consider a die that has been modified so that it has one face
with one dot, two faces with two dots, and three faces with
three dots. Let �� be the number of dots observed.
 a) Construct a probability distribution for the random
variable ��.
b) Compute for the expected value and what does this
mean?
STAT01|SubjectOrientation
 Created by:
abaylon@usc.edu.ph
STAT01|UNIT1
 END
of UNIT 1

Thank you & God Bless!

Created by: abaylon@usc.edu.ph