1 | Stat Pre-midtern

Random Variables and Probability Distributions

Let us do experiment!
Just prepare two (2) 1peso coins.
Let us consider your experiment in tossing two coins at the same time, and let X denote the number of tails that
turns up. Then the possible values x are 0, 1, or 2. The table below presents the values of the random variable X for each
possible outcome in the sample space.

Possible Outcomes HH TH HT TT
Passible Values (x) 0 1 1 2

What is a random variable?

A random variable is a variable whose values depend on the outcomes of a random event or experiment. In the
same manner, a random variable is a numerical quantity that is “random”, in the sense that its value depends on the
outcome of a random experiment. One commonly uses capital letters X, Y, Z, etc., to denote random variables, and lower-
case letters x, y, z, etc., to denote its possible values.

Possible Outcomes HH TH HT TT
Passible Values (x) 0 1 1 2

Since the value which the variable X assumes is determined by the outcome of the situation involving an element of
chance, we call X a CHANCE VARIABLE or RANDOM VARIABLE.

What are other examples of random variables?

Some examples are the following:
1. A = the number of times an ace card appears after 10 draws
2. B = the number of typhoons which visited the country in a year
3. C = the distance covered by an athlete in 3-minute run
4. D = the length of the time in minutes it takes a chef to cook chicken adobo
5. E = the temperature measured during winter season
What are the two types of a random variable?
The two types of random variable are discrete and continuous.
Discrete Random Variable (countable)
A discrete random variable has a countable number of possible values. The probability of each value of a discrete
random variable is between 0 and 1, and the sum of all the probabilities is equal to 1.
Continuous Random Variable (measurable)
A continuous random variable, on the other hand, can take on any values within a continuous range or an interval.

What distinguishes each type of a random variable and what are some examples of each type?
Discrete Random Variable Continuous Random Variable
Takes an infinite number of possible values. Continuous random
May take on only a countable number of distinct
variables are usually measurements.
values such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, …

Examples:
Discrete (can be counted)
1. A is the number of students in the classroom.
2. B is the number of face cards drawn.
3. C is the number aces drawn from a deck of cards.
Continuous (can be measured)
1. C is the height of a person in centimeters.
2. D is the weight of a person in kilograms.
3. E is the average time spent by students in social media.
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How to find the possible values of a random variable?

Consider the experiment of tossing a coin twice. Let X be a random variable denoting the number of tails that
appears. Find the possible values of the indicated random variable.
Possible Outcomes HH HT TH TT
Possible Values (x) 0 1 1 2

The sample space for the random experiment is {HH, HT, TH, TT}, thus the values of the random variable is X= {0, 1, 2}. All
the possible values of the random variable X is called the range space.

More examples:
Given some random experiments, find the possible values of the indicated random variables.
1. Experiment: Tossing a coin thrice
Random Variable: A denotes the number of head appears.
Possible Outcomes HHH HHT HTH THH HTT THT TTH TTT
Possible Values (a) 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 0

As illustrated on the table, the possible values of the random variable is A={0, 1, 2, 3}.

2. Experiment: Shooting the ball

Random Variable: B denotes the number of successful shots in 3 successive throws.
(Assuming S represents the successful shots, and F for failed shots.)
Possible Outcomes SSS SSF SFS FSS SFF FSF FFS FFF
Possible Values (b) 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 0

As illustrated on the table, the possible values of the random variable is B={0, 1, 2, 3}.

3. Experiment: Rolling a pair of dice

Random Variable: C denotes the sum of the results on the two dice.
Possible Outcomes (1,1) (1,2) (1,3) (1,4) … (6,4) (6,5) (6,6)
Possible Values (c) 2 3 4 5 … 10 11 12

As illustrated on the table, the possible values of the random variable is C = {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9,10,11,12}.

4. Experiment: Rolling a pair of dice

Random Variable: D denotes the absolute difference of the results on the two dice.
Possible Outcomes (1,1) (1,2) (1,3) (1,4) … (6,4) (6,5) (6,6)
Possible Values (d) 0 1 2 3 … 2 1 0

As illustrated on the table, the possible values of the random variables is D={0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}.

Practice Exercises 2: Try this set!

Given some random experiments, find the possible values of the indicated random variables.
1. Experiment: Four mothers giving birth (Single birth)
Random Variable: A denotes the number of male babies.
2. Experiment: Three coins are tossed.
Random Variable: B denotes the number of tails appear.
3. Experiment: Drawing a card
Random Variable: C denotes the number of Aces drawn from 4 draws with replacement
4. Experiment: Drawing a card
Random Variable: D denotes the number of Aces drawn from 6 draws with replacement.

FIY: A listing of all possible values of a discrete random variable along with their corresponding probabilities is
called a discrete probability distribution. The discrete probability distribution can be presented in tabular, graphical, or
formula form.
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The following properties must be satisfied before a distribution can be considered a discrete probability distribution.

a. The probability of each value of a discrete random variable is between 0 and 1 inclusive.
0 ≤ P(x)≤1
b. The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
P ( x )=1

Example 1. Consider this table.

x 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2

In this table, the random variable X assumes the values 0, 1, 2, and 3. The corresponding probabilities of these
values are 0.2, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.2, respectively. These corresponding probabilities are each less than 1 but greater than 0
and when added, the sum is 1.
P ( x )=0.2+0.3+ 0.3+0.2
P ( x )=1

Example 2. The given spinner is divided into four sections. Let X be the score where the arrow will stop (numbered as 1, 2,
3, and 4, in the drawing below).
a. Find the probability that the arrow will stop at 1, 2, 3, and 4.
b. Construct the discrete probability distribution of the random variable X.

Solution:
1 2 The probability that the arrow will stop at any of the
4 divisions is 1 out 4 or ¼ . Hence, the probability
of landing on 1 is 1 out of 4 or ¼ .
3 4
1 1
a. P ( 1 )= P ( 2 )=
4 4
1 1
P ( 3 )= P ( 4 )=
4 4
b. A table similar to the following can be constructed to show the values assumed by the discrete random variable X
and its corresponding probabilities. The discrete probability distribution is presented in tabular form below:
X 1 2 3 4
P(x) ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼

The first property 0 ≤ P(x)≤1 is met. Each of the probabilities is greater than 0 but less than 1.
The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
 P ( x )=P (1 )+ P ( 2 ) + P ( 3 ) + P(4)
1 1 1 1
¿ + + +
4 4 4 4
P ( x )=1

The two requirements for a discrete probability distribution are satisfied. Therefore, the distribution is a discrete probability
distribution.

C. Wrap up/Values Integration

 How do you find the values of a random variable?

To answer the question above, just remember always the two properties of a discrete probability distribution.
1. The probability of each value of a discrete random variable is between 0 and 1 inclusive.
0 ≤ P(x)≤1
2. The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
P ( x )=1
 Probability distribution is the set of all possible values of the random variable X, together with their corresponding
associated probabilities, form the probability distribution of x.
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 If X is a discrete random variable, the probability is called discrete probability distribution.

Mean, Variance, and Standard Deviation of a Discrete Random Variable

What is the meaning of Sigma Notation?

Sigma Notation is the summation of a certain set of values.

Mean or Expected Value

The mean of a discrete random variable X is also called the expected value of X. It is the weighted average of all the
values that the random variable X would assume in the long run. The discrete random variable X assumes values or
outcomes in every trial of an experiment with their corresponding probabilities. The expected value of X is the average of
the outcomes that is likely to be obtained if the trials are repeated over and over again. The expected value of X is denoted
by E(X).
Mean or Expected Value Formula:
E ( X )=xP(x )

where X =discrete random variable

x=outcome∨value of the random variable
P ( x )= probability of the outcome x
Variance
The variance of a random variable X is denoted by σ 2. It can likewise be written as Var (X). The variance of a random
variable is the expected value of the square of the difference between the assumed value of random variable and the mean.
The variance of X is:
2 2 2
Var ( X )= ( x −μ ) P(x ) or σ =( x−μ ) P ( x)
where:
x=outcome
μ= population mean
P ( x )= probability of the outcome

FYI: The larger the value of the variance, the farther the values of X from the mean. The variance is tricky to interpret since
it uses the square of the unit of measure of X. So, it is easier to interpret the value of the standard deviation because it
uses the same unit of measure of X.

Standard Deviation
The standard deviation of a discrete random variable X is written as σ . It is the square root of the variance. The standard
deviation is computed as:

σ =√ ( x−μ ) P (x)
2
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WORKSHEETS

Worksheet 1. Find the expected value of each probability distribution below. (30 points)
1. (5 pts.)
x 0 1 2 3 E( X )
P(x) 0.20 0.30 0.32 0.18
0 0.30 0.64 0.54
μ=1.48
xP(x )

2. (5 pts.)
x 0 1 2 3 E( X )
P(x) 0.12 0.42 0.36 0.10
0 0.42 0.72 0.30
μ=1.44
xP(x )

3. (10 pts.)
x 0 1 2 3 4 E( X )
P(x) 0.08 0.19 0.39 0.27 0.07
0 0.19 0.78 0.81 0.28
μ=2.06
xP(x )

4. (10 pts.)
x 0 1 2 3 4 E( X )
P(x) 0.07 0.30 0.35 0.23 0.05
0 0.30 0.70 0.69 0.20
μ=1.89
xP(x )

Worksheet 2. Find the variance and standard deviation of each probability distribution below. (50 points)
1. (25 pts.)
x 0 1 2 3 4 σ
2
σ
P(x) 0.09 0.19 0.39 0.22 0.11 1.2051 1.0978

2. (25 pts.)
x 0 1 2 3 4 σ
2
σ
P(x) 0.11 0.22 0.33 0.25 0.09 1.2699 1.1269

Solutions:
1.

x P(x) xP(x ) x−μ (x−μ)

2
( x−μ )2 P(x)
0 0.09 0 -2.07 4.2849 0.385641
1 0.19 0.19 -1.07 1.1449 0.217531
2 0.39 0.78 -0.07 0.0049 0.001911
3 0.22 0.66 0.93 0.8649 0.190278
4 0.11 0.44 1.93 3.7249 0.409739
2
μ=2.07 σ =1.2051
σ =1.0978

2.

x P(x) xP(x ) x−μ ( x−μ)

2
( x−μ )2 P(x)
0 0.11 0 -1.99 3.9601 0.435611
1 0.22 0.22 -0.99 0.9801 0.215622
2 0.33 0.66 0.01 0.0001 0.000033
3 0.25 0.75 1.01 1.0201 0.255025
4 0.09 0.36 2.01 4.0401 0.363609
μ=1.99 2
σ =1.2699
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σ =1.1269