STATISTICS AND

PROBABILITY
L E S S O N 1 : R a n d o m Va r i a b l e s
 EXPECTATIONS
After exploring this supplementary learning material, you
should be able to:
• illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous);
• distinguish between a discrete and a continuous random
variable; and
• find the possible values of a random variable.

Add a Footer 2
PRETEST Directions: Answer each item accurately. Write only the letter of your
choice.
1. Which of the following represents a discrete random variable?
A. The weight in kilograms of randomly selected Senior High School students.
B. The time it takes a student to finish answering the midterm exams.
C. The number of patients who experience side effects after taking antibiotics.
D. A patient’s body temperature reading in 0C.

2. Which of the following random variables is continuous?

A. The number of defective cellular phones in a box of 20.
B. The number of raffle tickets sold for a particular event.
C. The number of correct answers in 20-item multiple choice test.
D. The time required to finish a certain job.

3
3. Let 𝑋 be the number of typographical errors found per page in certain books.
The table below shows a probability distribution of 𝑋.
X 0 1 2 3 4
P(X) 0.70 0.15 0.10 0.01

What is 𝑃(𝑋 = 3)?

A. 0.02
B. 0.04
C. 0.10
D. 0.09
4. Let 𝑋 be the number of boys in a family with four children. The probability
distribution is presented below.
X 0 1 2 3 4
P(X)

What is 𝑃(𝑋 = 1)? A. B. C. D.

4
5. Which of the following can be a probability distribution for a discrete
random variable 𝑋?
X 0 1 2 3 4
A P(X) 0.10 0.25 0.30 0.40 0.15

X 2 4 6 8 10
B P(X) 0.05 1.15 0.15 0.55 0.15

X -1 1 3 5 7
C
P(X) 0.30 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.20

X 0 1 2 3 4
D
P(X) 0.40 0.15 0.15 0.20 0.10

5
6. An urn contains 5 balls. Each ball is labeled with numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. A
person randomly draws one ball. Let 𝑋 be the random variable for the number on
the ball. What possible values can be assigned to the random variable X?
A. 𝑋 = {1, 2, 3, 4}
B. 𝑋 = {0, 2, 4}
C. 𝑋 = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}
D. 𝑋 = {0, 1, 3, 5}
7. Suppose that there are four colored candies in a box, two red and two blue,
what is the probability that you will get a red candy in one random picking?
A.
B.
C.
D.

6
8. Let 𝑋 be the number of accidents in a particular intersection in a week. The table
below shows a probability distribution of 𝑋.
X 2 4 6 8 10
P(X) 0.45 0.25 0.15 0.10 0.05

What is the probability that at most two accidents happen in a particular week?
A. 0.35
B. 0.25
C. 0.85
D. 0.15

7
 LOOKING BACK

Statistical experiment is any

process by which observations
are made and data are collected.
The result of an experiment is
known as outcome.

Add a Footer 8
 LOOKING BACK

Statistical experiments can have

finite or infinite number of
outcomes. The collection of all
possible outcomes is known as
the sample space which is
typically denoted by an S.

Add a Footer 9
 LOOKING BACK

When one or more outcomes in

the sample space is considered,
this is referred to as an event.

Add a Footer 10
 LOOKING BACK

In simple experiments
involving a small number of
outcomes, it is convenient to
list the set of all possible
outcomes

Add a Footer 11
 EXAMPLE 1:
TOSSING A FAIR COIN ONCE

WHEN WE TOSS A FAIR COIN

ONCE, WE ONLY GET TWO
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES: IT WILL
LAND AS EITHER “TAILS” (T) OR
“HEADS” (H).
IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS A
50% CHANCE THAT THE COIN WILL
LAND HEADS AND A 50% CHANCE
THAT THE COIN WILL LAND TAILS.
Add a Footer 12
 IN THIS EXPERIMENT, THE SAMPLE
SPACE IS:

𝑆 = {H, T} =
{ }

Add a Footer 13
 EXAMPLE 2:
ROLLING A DIE

A DIE IS A CUBE WITH SIX SIDES.

EACH SIDE CONTAINS ONE TO SIX
DOTS CALLED PIPS. IF WE ROLL A
DIE AND RECORD THE NUMBER
OF DOTS THAT APPEAR, THERE
WILL BE SIX POSSIBLE
OUTCOMES. THE POSSIBLE
OUTCOMES ARE, OR THE SAMPLE
SPACE IS:
Add a Footer 14
 IN THIS EXPERIMENT, THE SAMPLE
SPACE IS:

S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6} =

{ }

Add a Footer 15
 EXAMPLE 3:
A PERSON IS CHOSEN AT
RANDOM FOR AN EXPERIMENT IN
WHICH THE GENDER IS
RECORDED.
IN THIS EXPERIMENT, THERE ARE
ONLY TWO POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
WHICH CAN BE MALE OR FEMALE,

SO THE SAMPLE SPACE IS:

S = {MALE, FEMALE}
Add a Footer 16
 BRIEF INTRODUCTION
A variable whose assigned value is
determined by the outcome of a
random experiment or procedure is
known as random variable.
Understanding the concepts of
sample space and random variables
is important in the study of
p r o b a b i l i t y.
We w i l l fo c u s o n ra n d o m va r i a b l e s .
Add a Footer 17
 Discrete TITLE
Random Continuous
Variables Random Variables
Are random variables Are random variables that
take an uncountably
that can take on a infinite number of possible
finite or countable values, typically
infinite number of measurable quantities. The
distinct values. Each values are obtained by
value can be described measurement and may
by an integer value. assume all values in the
interval between any two
given values along a
number line.
Add a Footer 18
 ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
A SALESPERSON HAS THREE
TABLES LEFT IN THE STORE TO
SELL. WE WANT TO KNOW
HOW MANY TABLES WILL BE
SOLD IN THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.
SINCE THERE ARE ONLY THREE
TABLES TO BE SOLD, IT IS
POSSIBLE THAT ONE, TWO, OR
ALL THE ITEMS WILL BE
PURCHASED. IT IS ALSO LIKELY
THAT NO TABLE WILL BE SOLD
AT ALL.
Add a Footer
If we define our random
variable 𝑋 as the number of
tables sold in the next five
days, the random variable 𝑋
may take on the values 0, 1,
2, or 3.
In this case, the random
variable 𝑋 has specific
values: 𝑥 = 0; 𝑥 = 1; 𝑥 = 2;
and 𝑥 = 3
19
 ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
A STUDY ON THE NUMBER OF
CUSTOMERS SERVED BY A RESTAURANT
ON A PARTICULAR DAY WAS CONDUCTED.
IF THE RANDOM VARIABLE 𝑋 DENOTES
THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS SERVED ON
THAT DAY, THEN 𝑋 CAN TAKE ONE OF THE
VALUES 𝑋 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ….
IN THIS CASE THE NUMBER OF
CUSTOMERS MAY INCREASE INDEFINITELY,
AND EACH NUMBER REPRESENTS
DISTINCT SPECIFIC VALUES. WE CALL IT A
DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE.
Add a Footer 20
 ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE

SUPPOSE WE ARE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT

STATISTICS TEST SCORES FROM A SAMPLE OF 40
STUDENTS. THE RANDOM VARIABLE WOULD BE
THE TEST SCORES WHICH WOULD RANGE FROM
0% TO 100%. IN THIS CASE WE WILL USE
INTERVALS TO DENOTE THE VARIOUS VALUES OF
THE RANDOM VARIABLE. WHEN WE USE
INTERVALS FOR OUR RANDOM VARIABLE, ALL
VALUES IN THE INTERVAL ARE POSSIBLE VALUES
OF THE RANDOM VARIABLE. WE CALL THIS KIND
OF VARIABLE CONTINUOUS RANDOM
VARIABLE.
Add a Footer 21
 ACTIVITY 1.1

Accomplish each task by following the directions

indicated in each number.
1. List the sample space for each of the following
statistical experiments.
a. A coin is tossed at the start of a basketball
match.
b. A customer selects a table from tables
numbered 1 to 10 at a restaurant.
Add a Footer 22
 ACTIVITY 1.1

2. In each case below, identify the random

variable and classify it as discrete or continuous.
a. Ben has two sisters.
b. Roberto jumped 1.85 meters in the high
jump.

Add a Footer 23
 ANSWER ACTIVITY 1.1

1.
a. There are only two possible outcomes - head or tail
S = {head or tail} or S = {H, T}
b. The sample space are the tables numbered 1 to 10
S = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
2.
a. Number of sisters ; discrete
b. Height; continuous

Add a Footer 24
 ACTIVITY 1.2

Consider the chance experiment of randomly selecting one of

the ten apartments in a small building in which they are
numbered from 1 to 10. Information about the features of
each apartment includes the number of bedrooms, the floor
number, the size of the apartment, and the distance to the
elevator.
a. List the sample space for this experiment.
b. Which 2 features are discrete random variables?
c. Which 2 features are continuous random variables?

Add a Footer 25
 ANSWER ACTIVITY 1.2

a. S = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
b.
1. number of bedrooms
2. floor number
c.
1. size of apartment
2. distance of elevator

Add a Footer 26
 ANSWER PRETEST

1. C 5.D
2. D 6.C
3. B 7.C
4. A 8.C

Add a Footer 27
 TITLE:

Assignment
LESSON 2:
Probability Distributions of Discrete
Random Variables

Add a Footer 28
 THANK YOU
daniel.gregore@depedqc.ph

Add a Footer 29