Exploring Random Variables

Sample Space – the set of all possible

outcomes of an experiment
Random Variable – is a function that
associates a real number to each element
in the sample space. It is a variable whose
values are determined by chance.
 Tossing Three Coins
Suppose 3 coins are tossed. Let Y be the
random variable representing the number
of tails that turn up. Find the values of the
random variable Y.
 STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. Let H The sample space for this experiment is
S = (TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, HHT, HTH, THH,
represent head and T represent tail. HHH)
2. Count the number of tails in each Value of the Random
Variable Y
outcome in the sample space and Possible Outcomes (Number of Tails)
assign this number to the outcome.
TTT 3
TTH 2
THT 2
Answer: the possible values of HTT 2
the random variable Y are 0, 1, HHT 1
HTH 1
2, and 3. THH 1
HHH 0
 Drawing Balls from an Urn
Two balls are drawn in succession without
replacement from an urn containing 5 red
balls and 6 blue balls. Let Z be the random
variable representing the number of blue
balls. Find the values of the random
variable Z.
 STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. Let B The sample space for this experiment is
S = (RR, RB, BR, BB))
represent blue ball and R represent red
ball.
2. Count the number of blue balls in Value of the Random
Variable Y
each outcome in the sample space and Possible Outcomes (Number of Tails)
assign this number to the outcome.
RR 0
RB 1
BR 1
Answer: the possible values of BB 2
the random variable Z are 0, 1,
and 2.
A random variable is a discrete random
variable if its set of possible outcomes is
countable.
A random variable is a continuous random
variable if it takes on values on a
continuous scale.
Supposed an experiment is conducted to
determine the distance that a certain type
of car will travel using 10 liters of gasoline
over a prescribed test course. If distance is
a random variable, then we have an
infinite number of distances that cannot be
equated to the number of whole numbers.
Exercises:
1. Four coins are tossed. Let Z be the random
variable representing the number of heads that turn
up. Find the values of the random variable Z.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Z
Exercises:
2. From a box containing 4 black balls and 2 green balls, 3 balls
are drawn in succession. Each ball is placed back in the box
before the next draw is made. Let G be a random variable
representing the number of green balls that can be drawn. Find
the values of the random variable G.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable G