Statistics and

Probability
Class
Learning Competencies
• illustrate a random variable
• distinguish between a discrete and a
continuous variable
• find the possible values of a random variable
Random Variable

It is a variable whose possible values are outcomes

of a random process or experiment.
It is commonly represented by an uppercase letter,
usually X.
 Example

1. Suppose three coins are tossed. Let X be the

random variable representing the number of heads
that occur. Find the values of the random variable
X.
 Example 1

X = {0, 1, 2,
3}

Possible
HHH HHT HTH HTT THH THT TTH TTT
Outcomes

Value of x 3 2 2 1 2 1 1 0
 Example

2. Two balls are drawn in succession without

replacement from a box 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.
 Example 2

Let B represent the blue ball and R represent the

red ball.
Sample space = {RR, RB, BR, BB}
Possible
RR RB BR BB
Outcomes

Value of Z 0 1 1 2

Z= {0, 1, 2}
 Example

Suppose three cell phones are tested at random. Let X

be the random variable representing the number of
defective cell phones that occur. Find the values of the
random variable X.
TYPES OF RANDOM VARIABLE

Discrete Random Variable

The number of values is finite or countable. These

are exact and can be represented by nonnegative
whole numbers.
DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE

W = number of correct responses in a 20 - item true - false

test
X = number of randomly selected students to be
interviewed by a researcher
Y = number of randomly selected left - handed teachers in
a faculty room
Z = count of detective light bulbs among the 100 samples
of light bulbs produced.
TYPES OF RANDOM VARIABLE

Continuous Random Variable

It is an infinite number of values in an interval

between two specific values. It can be represented
not only by nonnegative whole numbers but also by
fractions and decimals. These values are often the
results of measurement.
CONTINUOUS RANDOM VARIABLE

X = lengths in centimeters of shoes of randomly selected

senior high school students
Z = hourly temperatures last Sunday
Y = heights of daisy plants in the backyard
 Assessment

Determine if the random variable is discrete or

continuous random variable.
 Assessment

1) A = number of smart phones sold in one week

in AB store.

Discrete random variable

 Assessment

2) B = weights in pounds of newly born babies in

a hospital nursery

Continuous random variable

 Assessment

3) C = number of cars in a parking lot every noon

Discrete random variable

 Assessment

4) D = number of gifts received by a birthday

celebrator

Discrete random variable

 Assessment

5) E = length of time in minutes spent in playing

video games

Continuous random variable

 Assessment

6) F = number of students enrolled in Grade 11 in

your school

Discrete random variable

 Assessment

7) G = number of points scored in a volleyball

game

Discrete random variable

 Assessment

8) H = number of employees in a call center who

are Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates

Discrete random variable

 Assessment

9) I = heights in meters of varsity players in your

school

Continuous random variable

 Assessment

10) J = number of books you borrowed in the

library during your elementary years

Discrete random variable

 Assessment

11) K = amount of money spent by a family in one

month

Discrete random variable

 Assessment

12) L = number of chicken wings sold by a fast -

food restaurant in September

Discrete random variable