CHAPTER 1

Random Variables and

Probability Distributions
Statistics and Probability
LESSON 3
Computing the Mean, Variance and
Standard Deviation of Discrete
Probability Distribution
LESSON OBJECTIVES
1 illustrate the mean and variance of a discrete random variable;

2 calculates the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable;

interprets the mean and the variance of a discrete random

3 variable; and

4 solves problems involving mean and variance of probability

distribution.
Mean of a Discrete Probability Distribution
Definition:
The mean of a discrete random variable X is a weighted
average of the possible values that the random variable can
take.
FORMULA:

Where:
, , ,… are the values of the random variable, and

P( , P(, ),… are there corresponding probabilities

Mean of a Discrete Probability Distribution

Steps in finding the mean:

1. Construct the probability distribution for the random

variable.

2. Determine the value of

3. Add all the values of to determine

Variance of a Discrete Probability Distribution
Definition:
The variance of a discrete random variable X measures the
spread, or variability, of the distribution.

FORMULA:

Where:

X = value of the random variable

P(X) = probability of the random variable
Variance of a Discrete Probability Distribution
Steps in finding the Variance:
1. Subtract the computed mean from each value of the random
variable:

2. Square the value obtained in step 1: .

3. Multiply the value obtained in step 2 by the given probability:

4. Find the variance by adding all products obtained in step 3.

Standard Deviation of a Discrete Probability Distribution

Definition:
The standard deviation of a random variable measures how
close the random variable is to the mean. It is called a standard
deviation since it represents an “average” (or standard) distance
(or deviation) from the mean.
FORMULA:

Where:
X = value of the random variable
P(X) = probability of the random variable
= Mean of the probability distribution
EXAMPLE 1:
Find the mean, variance and standard deviation of the discrete
random variable 𝑋 with the following probability distribution.
SOLUTION:
Step 1. Construct the Step 2. Multiply the value of X by its
column for corresponding probability value P(X)

3() =
2(
1(

0(
SOLUTION:
Step 3. Find the mean of the expected value of probability
distribution.
+ + +

The mean is 1.5

SOLUTION:
Step 4. Subtract the computed mean from each value of random
variable: ; = 1.5
3 – 1.5 = 1.5

2 – 1.5 = 0.5
1 – 1.5 = -0.5

0 – 1.5 = -1.5
SOLUTION:
Step 5. Square the obtain result in step 4.

1.5 = 2.25

0.5 = 0.25
0.5 = 0.25

-1.5 = 2.25
 SOLUTION:
Step 6. Multiply the results obtained in Step 5 by corresponding probability.

2.5 2.25 (2.25)() = 0.28125

1.5 2.25 (0.25)() = 0.09375

0.5 0.25 (0.25)() = 0.09375

-1.5 2.25 (2.25)() = 0.28125

 SOLUTION:
Step 7. Get the sum of the results obtained in Step 6. The result is the value of the
variance.

= 0.28125 + 0.09375 + 0.09375 + 0.28125

= 0.75
The variance of the probability distribution is 0.75.

Step 8. Get the square root of the variance in step 7 to get the standard deviation.

= 0.866
The standard deviation of the probability
distribution is 0.866
EXAMPLE 2:
Find the mean, variance and the standard deviation of the
probability distribution shown below.
SOLUTION:
Step 1. Construct the Step 2. Multiply the value of X by its
column for corresponding probability value P(X)

1(0.09) = 0.09
2(0.16) =0.32
3(0.17)= 0.51
4(0.28) = 1.12
5(0.25) = 1.25
6(0.05)= 0.3
SOLUTION:
Step 3. Find the mean of the expected value of probability
distribution.
+ 0.32+ 0.51+1.12+1.25+0.3
0.09
0.32
0.51 The mean is 3.59
1.12
1.25
0.3
SOLUTION:
Step 4. Subtract the computed mean from each value of random
variable: ; = 3.59

0.09 1 - 3.59 = -2.59

0.32 2 - 3.59 = -1.59
0.51 3 - 3.59 = -0.59
1.12 4 – 3.59 = 0.41
1.25 5 – 3.59 = 1.41
0.3 6 – 3.59 = 2.41
SOLUTION:
Step 5. Square the obtain result in step 4.

0.09 -2.59
0.32 -1.59
0.51 -0.59
1.12 0.41
1.25 1.41
0.3 2.41
 SOLUTION:
Step 6. Multiply the results obtained in Step 5 by corresponding probability.

0.09 -2.59 (0.09) = 0.603729

0.32 -1.59 2.52(0.16) = 0.404496
0.51 -0.59 0.34(0.17) = 0.059177
1.12 0.41 (0.28) = 0.047068
1.25 1.41 0.25) = 0.497025
0.3 2.41 5.80(0.05) = 0.290405
 SOLUTION:
Step 7. Get the sum of the results obtained in Step 6. The result is the value of the
variance.

= 0.603729 + 0.404496 + 0.059177+ 0.047068 +0.497025 +0.290405 =

1.9019
The variance of the probability distribution is 1.9019

Step 8. Get the square root of the variance in step 7 to get the standard deviation.

= 1.379
The standard deviation of the probability
distribution is 1.379.
 TRY IT!
Consider rolling a die. What is the average number of spots that
would appear? Let X be the random variable representing the
number of spots. Compute for the Mean, Variance, and Standard
Deviation.