RANDOM

VARIABLES AND
PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTIONS
Random Variable
• It is a variable whose possible values are determined by 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.

• For example, a coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the
number of heads that result from this experiment.
 1st toss 2nd toss 3rd toss Final Outcome Number of Heads (X)

H HHH 3

H T HHT 2

H H HTH 2

T T HTT 1

H THH 2
H
T THT 1
T
H TTH 1
T
T TTT 0

In the illustration above, random variable is represented by the upper case X. The lower
case x represents the specific values. Hence, x = 3, x = 2, x = 1, x = 2, x = 1, and x = 0.
For example, a coin is tossed thrice.
• The sample space for the possible outcomes is
S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, THT, TTH, TTT}
• The value of the variable X can be 0, 1, 2, 0r 3. Then, in this example,
X is a random variable.
 Random
variables
discrete
A discrete random variable can only take
a finite (countable) number of distinct
values. Distinct values mean values that
are exact and can be represented by
nonnegative whole numbers.
continuous
A continuous 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 measurement.
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 PBA
2. Y = the height of a randomly selected student inside the library in
centimeter
3. X = number of birds in a nest
4. Y = the weights in kg of randomly selected dancers after taking aerobics
5. X = the number of mobile phones sold in one week in AB store
6. Y = the weights in pounds of newly born babies in a hospital nursery
7. X = the number of cars in a parking lot every noon
8. Y = the hourly temperatures last Sunday.
 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.
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

b) The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

Example

x 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2
 Which of the following are discrete probability distributions? If it is
not a discrete probability distribution, identify the property or
properties that are not satisfied.
1. x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0.10 0.20 0.25 0.40 0.05

x 2 3 4 5 6
2. P(x)

x 0 1 2 3 4
3. P(x)
• The discrete probability distribution can be graphed to form
a probability histogram. The values of the discrete random
variable X are set on the horizontal axis of the graph and the
probabilities are set on the vertical axis. The values of X are
placed on the center of each bar when constructing a
histogram. The probabilities serve as the height of each bar.

Example : The probability histogram is shown below.

3/4

2/4
Probability

1/4

0
0 1 2 3
Number of Heads When Tossing a Coin
Example: A discrete random variable X has the following
probability distribution:
x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.1 0.2 ? 0.2 0.2

• Determine P(2).
• Construct a probability histogram to show P(x).
A random variable X has the following probability distribution:
x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.06 0.23 0.35 ? 0.05

• Find P(3).
• Construct a probability histogram to show P(x).

x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0.1 0.25 0.125k 0.20 0.025k

• Find P(3).
• Construct a probability histogram to show P(x).
A random variable X has the following probability distribution:
x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x)

• Find y.
• Construct a probability histogram to show P(x).
x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x)

• Find P(5).
• Construct a probability histogram to show P(x).
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).
• Find the probability that the arrow
will stop at 1, 2, 3, and 4.
1 2

• Construct the discrete probability 3 4

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

4 4
• Construct the discrete probability 3 3
distribution of the random variable
X.
Example:

• Throw two fair dice and let the random variable X as the sum of the
two outcomes.

• Toss a fair coin twice and let X be equal to the number of tails (T)
observed.
I. Classify the following random variables as discrete or
continuous.

1. P = the weights in pounds of newly born babies in a

hospital nursery
2. Q = the length of time spent in playing video games in
minutes
3. P = the number of gifts received by a birthday celebrator
4. Q = the number of students enrolled in Gr. 11 in your
school
5. P = the amount of money spent by a family in one month
II. Which of the following are discrete probability distributions? If
it is not a discrete probability distribution, identify the property or
properties that are not satisfied.