Random Variable

Learning Competencies
• Illustrate a random variable (discrete or
continuous)
• Distinguish between a discrete and
continuous variable
• Find the possible values of a random
variable
• Illustrate a probability distribution for a
discrete random variable and its
properties.
Random Variable
• is a variable whose possible values
are determined by chance. A random
variable is typically represented by an
uppercase letter, usually X, while its
corresponding lowercase letter in this
case is x is used to represent one of its
values.
 Example
1st toss 2nd toss 3rd toss Final Number
H Outcome of Heads
(X)
H HHH 3
T HHT 2
H H HTH 2
T T HTT 1
H THH 2
H THT 1
T T TTH 1
T H TTT 0
T
In the illustration, random variable is
represented by the upper case X. The
lower case x represents the specific
values. Hence, x = 3, x = 2, x = 2, x = 1,
x = 2, x = 1, x = 1 and x = 0.
The sample space for the possible
outcomes is
S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, THT,
TTH, TTT}
Two Kinds of Random
Variables
1. Discrete – finite (countable); distinct
values mean values that are exact
and can be represented by
nonnegative whole numbers.
Example:
Let X = number of students randomly
selected to be interviewed by a
researcher.
Two Kinds of Random
Variables
2. Continuous Random Variable –
infinite number. Represented not only by
nonnegative whole numbers but also by
fractions and decimals; often results of
measurement
Example:
Let Y = the weights of randomly selected
students in pounds
Exercise 1
Determine if the random variable X or Y
is discrete or continuous.
1. Let Y = number of left-handed
teachers randomly selected in a
faculty room.
Answer: discrete
2. Let Z = number of defective light bulbs
among the randomly selected light bulbs.
Answer: discrete
Exercise 1
3. Let X = number of women randomly
selected in a political rally.
Answer: discrete
4. Let X = the lengths of randomly
selected shoes of senior students in
centimeters.
Answer: continuous
5. Let Z = the hourly temperatures last
Sunday.
Answer: continuous
Exercise 1
6. Let Y = the heights of daisy plants in the
backyard.
Answer: continuous
7. X = number of points scored in the last
season by a randomly selected basketball
player in the PBA
Answer: discrete
8. Y = the height of a randomly selected
student inside the library in centimeter.
Answer: continuous
Exercise 1
9. X = number of birds in a nest
Answer: discrete
10. Y = the weights in kg of randomly
selected dancers after taking up aerobics
Answer: continuous
Discrete Probability
Distribution
- Listing all possible values of a
discrete random variable
along with their corresponding
probabilities.
- Tabular, graphical or formula
form
Two Properties of Discrete
Probability Distribution
1. The probability of each value
of a discrete random variable
is between 0 and 1 inclusive.
0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1
2. The sum of all the
probabilities is 1
Example 1
Consider the following table:
X 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2

.2
=1
Example 2
The given spinner is divided into four
sections. Let X be the score where the
arrow will stop (numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4,
in the drawing below)
a. Find the probability that the arrow will
stop at 1, 2, 3 and 4.
b. Construct the discrete probability
distribution of the random variable X
1 2

3 4
Solution
a. Let X = score on the spinner
P(1) = ¼
P(2) = ¼
P(3) = ¼
P(4) = ¼
b. Probability Distribution Table

X 1 2 3 4
P(x) 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4
Solution
The First Property is met. Each probabilities
is greater than 0 but less than 1
The sum of all probabilities is 1

=1

X 1 2 3 4
P(x) 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4
Exercise 2
1. The spinner below is divided into eight
sections. Let X be the score where the
arrow will stop (numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4)
1 2
1 4
4 4
3 3
a. Find the probability that the arrow will
stop at 1, 2, 3, and 4
b. Construct the discrete probability
distribution of the random variable X.
2. When two fair dice are thrown simultaneously, the
following are the possible outcomes.
(1,1) (1,2) (1,3) (1,4) (1,5) (1,6)
(2,1) (2,2) (2,3) (2,4) (2,5) (2,6)
(3,1) (3,2) (3,3) (3,4) (3,5) (3,6)
(4,1) (4,2) (4,3) (4,4) (4,5) (4,6)
(5,1) (5,2) (5,3) (5,4) (5,5) (5,6)
(6,1) (6,2) (6,3) (6,4) (6,5) (6,6)
a. Find the probability of the possible values P(x)
b. Construct the discrete probability distribution of the
random variable X.
3. Toss a fair coin twice and let X be equal to the
number of heads (H) observed.
1st toss 2nd toss Final Outcome No. of Heads
H HH 2
H
T HT 1
H TH 1
T
T TT 0
a. Find the probability of the possible values
P(x)
b. Construct the discrete probability
distribution of the random variable X.
Probability histogram
- Graphed of a discrete probability
distribution
4. A discrete random variable X has
the following probability distribution:
a. x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.1 0.2 ? 0.2 0.2

Determine P(2)
b. Graph the probability histogram
4. A discrete random variable X has
the following probability distribution:
b. x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.21 0.29c 0.29 0.21

Determine P(2)
b. Graph the probability histogram