RANDOM VARIABLE AND DISCRETE

PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 RANDOM VARIABLE

• Also known as realized values

• Is a numerical quantity that is assigned
to the outcome of an experiment
• We use capital letter to represent a
random variable
 DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS RANDOM
VARIABLE
Discrete Random Variable
Can assume only a countable number of
values
Examples:
• Number of pencils in a box
• Number of soldiers in a troop
• Number of rotten tomatoes in a basket
• Number of defective flashlights
Continuous Random Variable
Can assume infinite number of values in
one or more intervals
Examples:
• Amount of antibiotics in the vial
• Lifetime of light bulbs in minutes
• Length of wire ropes
• Voltage of radio batteries
FINDING THE POSSIBLE VALUE OF
RANDOM VARIABLE
 EXAMPLE 1

Suppose two coins are tossed and we

are interested to determine the number
of heads that will come out. Let us use
H to represent the number of heads
that will come out. Determine the
values of random variable H
 EXAMPLE 2

A basket contains 10 ripe and 4 unripe

bananas. If three bananas are taken from
the basket one after the other,
determine the possible values of the
random variable R representing the
number of ripe bananas.
 EXAMPLE 3

A coin is flipped four times. Let T be the

number of tails that come out.
Determine the values of the realized
values T
 EXAMPLE 4

Two balance dice are rolled. Let S be the

random variable denoting the sum of
the number of dots that will appear.
Determine the values of the random
variable S.
 CONSTRUCTING DISCRETE
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 DISCRETE PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

• Also known as Probability Mass Function

• Is a table that gives a list of probability values along with
their associated value in the range of a discrete random
variable
• For any discrete random variable X, the ff. are true:
0 ≤ 𝑃 𝑋 ≤ 1, for each value of x
σ 𝑃 𝑋 = 1
 EXAMPLE 1

A basket contains 10 ripe and 4 unripe bananas. Three bananas

are taken from the basket one after the other. If the random
variable R represents the number of ripe bananas,
• Construct the discrete probability distribution
• Construct the probability histogram
• What is 𝑃 𝑅 > 1 ?
• What is the probability of getting 3 bananas?
 EXAMPLE 2

A meeting of consuls was attended by 4 Americans and 2 Germans.

• If three consuls were selected at random, construct the
probability distribution of the random variable G representing
the number of Germans
• Construct the probability Histogram
• What is the probability that at most 2 Germans will be
selected?
• What is the probability that at least 1 German will be selected?
 EXAMPLE 3

Determine whether or not the formula below describes a

probability distribution.
𝑋+1
𝑃 𝑋 = where X = 0,1,3, If it is find the ff:
7
•𝑃 𝑋=3
•𝑃 𝑋≥1
•𝑃 𝑋≤1
 EXAMPLE 4

1
Determine whether 𝑃 𝑋 = , 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑋 = 0,1,2,3,4,5
5
describes a probability distribution.
 INDIVIDUAL WORK

Answer the following:

p. 9 #3 and #4
p. 17 #4
• A drawer contains 10 pairs of socks. Rueben, in preparation for his
trip to Davao City, randomly selected 3 socks. (Change 6 socks to
3 socks)
• Additional task: Construct the Probability Histogram