RANDOM VARIABLE
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY
RANDOM Variable
A random variable is a variable whose
possible values are determined by a
chance. A random variable is typically
represented by an uppercase letter,
usually X, while its corresponding
lowercase letter in this case, x, is used
to represent one of its values.
EXAMPLE
A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the
number of heads that the result from this experiment.
The sample space for the possible outcome is
S = HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, THT, TTH, TTT
The value of the variable X can be 0, 1, 2, or 3. Then, in
the this example X is a random variable.
Random variable can either be discrete or continuous.
DISCRETE RANDOM Variable
A discrete random variable can only
take a finite (countable) number of
distinct values. The values are exact
and can be represented by nonnegative
whole numbers.
EXAMPLES
1. Let X = number of students randomly selected to be
interviewed by a researcher. This is a discrete random
variable because its possible values are 0, 1 or 2 and so
on.
2. Let Y = number of left-handed teachers randomly
selected in a faculty room. This is a discrete random
variable because its possible values are 0, 1 or 2 and so
on.
3. Let Z = number of defective light bulbs among the
randomly selected light bulbs. This is a discrete random
variable because the number of defective light bulbs,
which X can assume are 0, 1 or 2 and so on.
4. Let X = number of women randomly selected in a
political rally. This is a discrete random variable because
its possible values are 0, 1 or 2 and so on.
CONTINUOUS RANDOM Variable
A continuous random variable can
assume an infinite number of values in
an interval between two specific values.
This means they can assume values that
can be represented not only by
nonnegative whole numbers but also
by fractions and decimals. These values
are often results of measurements.
EXAMPLES
1. Let X = the lengths in centimeters of randomly selected
shoes of senior students. The lengths of shoes of the
2. Let X = students can be between any two given lengths.
The values can be obtained by using a measuring device, a
ruler. Hence, the random variable Y is a continuous
random variable.
3. Let Z = the hourly temperatures last Sunday. Z is a
continuous random variable because its values can be
between any two given temperatures resulting from the
use of thermometer.
4. Let Y = the heights of daisy plants in the backyard. This
is a continuous random variable because its possible value
can be between any two given heights resulting from the
use of a measuring tool, a yardstick.
TRY THIS!
Determine if the random variable X or Y is discrete or
continuous.
1. X = number of points scored in the last season by a
randomly selected basketball player in the NBA.
2. Y = the height in centimeter of a randomly selected
student inside the library.
3. X = number of birds in a nest
4. Y = the weights in kg of randomly selected dancers after
taking up aerobics.
ANSWERS
1. This is a discrete random variable because its
possible values are 0, 1, or 2, and so on.
2. This is a continuous random variable because it can
assume any value between two given heights such as
167.64 cm.
3. This is a discrete random variable because its
possible values are 0, 1 or 2 and so on.
4. This is a continuous random variable because it can
assume any value including all decimal values that are
between two given weights. After ranking up aerobics,
the weight of one of the dancers could be 56.9 kg.
Discrete Probability Distribution
The discrete probability distribution can be
presented in tabular, graphical or formula form.
The probability of each of a discrete random variable
is between 0 and 1 inclusive.
0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑥) ≤ 1
The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
𝑃 𝑥 = 1
EXAMPLE
Consider the table below:
𝑥 0 1 2 3
𝑃(𝑥) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2
In the 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 less than 1 but greater
than 0 and when added, the sum is 1.
𝑃 𝑥 = 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.2
=1
EXAMPLE
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
Let X = score on the spinner
The probability that the arrow will stop at
1
any of the 4 division is 1 out of 4 or . Hence, the probability
4
1
of landing on 1 is 1 out of 4 or . The probability of landing
4
1
on 2 is 1 out of 4 or . The probability of landing on 3 is 1
4
1
out of 4 or and the probability of landing on 4 is 1 out of 4
4
1
or . These probability are shown below.
4
1 1
𝑃 1 = 𝑃 3 =
4 4
1 1
𝑃 2 = 𝑃 4 =
4 4
b. A table similar of 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
1 1 1 1
𝑃(𝑥)
4 4 4 4
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
=1
The two requirements for a discrete probability distribution are satisfied.
Therefore, the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.
TRY THIS!
The spinner below is divided into eight sections. Let X
be the score where the arrow will stop (numbered as 1,
2, 3, 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.
The discrete probability distribution can be graphed to
form a probability histogram. The values of the discrete
random variables X are set on the horizontal axis of the
graph and the probabilities are set on the vertical axis.
The values X are placed on the center of each bar when
constructing a histogram. The probabilities serve as the
height of each bar.
EXAMPLE
A discrete random variable X has the following
probability distribution as follows:
𝑥 0 1 2 3 4
𝑃(𝑥) 0.1 0.2 ? 0.2 0.2
a. Determine 𝑃 2 .
SOLUTION
Use the second property of discrete probability
distribution to determine 𝑃 2 .
𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑃 0 + 𝑃 1 + 𝑃 2 + 𝑃 3 + 𝑃 4
1 = 0.1 + 0.2 + 𝑃 2 + 0.2 + 0.2
1 = 0.7 + 𝑃(2)
𝑷 𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟑
The probability histogram is shown below.
0.4
0.3
P(x)
0.2
0.1
0
0 1 2 3 4
x
TRY THIS !
A random variable X has the following
probability distribution as follows:
𝑥 1 2 3 4
𝑃(𝑥) 0.21 29c 0.29 0.21
a. Determine c.
