Discrete Random Variables

&
Probability Distributions

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A random variable is a real-valued variable that assume its values
based on a sample space of a random experiment.

Upper case letters such as Y denote random variables while lower

case letters y denote particular values that a random variable may take

The probability distribution for a discrete variable Y can be

represented by a table, a formula or a graph which provides
the different values of Y and the corresponding probabilities p(y
).
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 Example 1
Define the experiment of tossing two coins. Let Y
equal the number of heads obtained
a) Describe the sample space of this experiment
b) What are the possible values for Y ?
c) Find the probability distribution of Y and plot it.

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Let H and T represent head and tail, respectively.
Y = number of heads obtained
S={HH,HT,TH,TT}
Y = 0, 1, and 2.

P(Y = 0) = P({TT}) = 1/4.

P(Y = 1) = P({HT}) + P({TH}) = 1/2 and

P(y)

P(Y = 2) = P({HH}) = 1/4. 1/2

1/4

0 1 2
y 5
The probability distribution for a discrete
variable Y can be represented by a table, a
formula or a graph which provides
P(Y=y )=p(y ) for all y.

Properties:
 p(y ) has to be greater than or equal to
zero, 0≤ p(y ), for all y
 Sum of p(y ) s for all values of y has to
be equal to1, ∑y p(y ) = 1
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 Example 2
Three radar sets operating independently,
are set to detect any aircraft flying through
a certain area. Each set has a probability of
0.02 of failing to detect a plane in its area.
Let the random variable Y represent the
number of radar sets that detect a
particular aircraft. Find the probability
distribution of Y.
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Y : the number of radar sets that detect a particular aircraft.
Y = 0, 1, 2, 3.

P(y) y
(.02)3 = .000008 0

3(.98) (.02) 2  .001176 1

3(.98) 2 (.02)  .057624 2
941192. = 3)98.( 3
1 Sum

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 Example 3
A supervisor in a manufacturing plant has
three men and three women working for him.
He randomly selects two workers for a
special job. Let Y denote the number of
women in his selection. Find the probability
distribution for Y.

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Y : the number of women in the selection
Y = 0, 1, 2.
P(y) y
3 3
 2 0
     3 1
0

6 65 5
 2
  2

 3  3
1  1 
     3 3  3
1
6 65 5
 2
  2
3 3
0  2
     3 1
2

6 65 5
 2
  2

1 Sum

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 Practice Problems 4

Page 77
Problems 2.140 and 2.141
Pages 90 & 91
Problems 3.2, 3.6 and 3.9
Pages 97 & 99
Problems 3.12 and 3.24

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