MUNTINLUPA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

School ID No. : 305468

NBP Reservation
Poblacion, Muntinlupa City

SUPPLEMENTARY LEARNING
MATERIALS (SLM)

_______________________
Writer

Liezel V. Tulaylay
Validator

Grade 11 General Mathematics

SLM
Third Quarter, Modules 1 - 8

Statistics &Probability 1
Lesson 1: Random Variable

Explore

In this lesson, you’ll learn to:

✓ illustrate a random
variable (discrete and
continuous)

✓ distinguish between a
discrete and a
continuous random
variable

✓ find the possible values

of a random variable
During the annual Garcia Family Reunion, children were asked to
line up and draw money from a covered box containing ten ₱1,000
✓ illustrate a probability
bills, fifteen ₱500 bills, fifteen ₱200 bills, twenty ₱100 peso bills,
distribution for a
twenty ₱50 bills and thirty ₱20 bills. If you are the first to draw discrete random
money from the box, what is your chance of getting at least ₱100? variable and its
properties

Important Terminologies and Concepts

• Random Variable
A random variable is a variable whose possible values are determined by chance. It is
normally represented by an uppercase letter, usually 𝑋, while its corresponding lowercase
letter in this case, 𝑥, is used to represent one of its values.

Types of Random Variables: a. discrete b. continuous

• Discrete Random Variable

Discrete random variable can only take a finite (countable) number of distinct values. These
values are exact and can be represented by nonnegative whole numbers.

Examples:
1. Let 𝑋 = number of cars sold by a car dealer from January to March 2020
2. Let 𝑌 = number of teachers in MNHS who are below 40 years old
3. Let 𝑍 = number of coffees sold by Starbucks Evia Branch on February 14, 2021

Statistics &Probability 2
 • Continuous Random Variable
Continuous random variable can take an infinite number of values in an interval between two
specific values.
This means they can assume values in an interval between two specific values. They can
represent not only nonnegative values but also fractions and decimals. These values are often
result of measurements.

Examples:
1. Let 𝑋 = the number of minutes it takes a pipe to fill up the outdoor pool of SMDC Wind
Residences.
2. Let 𝑌 = the depth of drilling in meters to find oil in Sitio Bamban.
3. Let 𝑍 = the weight in kilograms of selected Grade 11 students of MNHS-SHS

To illustrate random variables, refer to the figure below:

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable 𝑋 represent the number of heads that result from this
experiment.
1st 2nd 3rd Final
No. of
Heads
Toss Toss Toss Outcome
(X)

H HHH 3

H
T HHT 2

H
H HTH 2
T

T HTT 1
Figure 1.
.

H THH 2

H
T THT 1

T
H TTH 1
T

T TTT 0

Statistics &Probability 3
In the illustration above, random variable is represented by the uppercase 𝑋. The lowercase 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 outcome is 𝑆 = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH, THT, TTH, TTT}.
The value of the variable 𝑋 can be 0, 1, 2, or 3. In this figure, 𝑋 is a random variable.

Example 1. Identify if the given random variable below is discrete or continuous.

a. 𝑋 = the number of lightbulbs manufactured by General Electric Company.

b. 𝑌 = the height in meters of female volleyball players of MNHS

c. 𝑋 = the weight in kilograms of male students of STEM

d. 𝑋 = the number of laptops donated by the LGU to the public school teachers of
Muntinlupa.

Solution: a. discrete b. continuous c. continuous d. discrete

Discrete Probability Distribution

A listing of all possible values of a discrete random variable along with their corresponding
probabilities is called a discrete probability distribution. It can be presented in tabular, graphical, or
formula form.

Properties of a Discrete Probability Distribution

a. The probability of each value of a discrete random variable is between 0 and 1 inclusive.

0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑥) ≤ 1

b. The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

෍ 𝑃(𝑥) = 1

Statistics &Probability 4
 Example 2. Take a look at the table on the 𝑥 0 1 2 3
right.
𝑃(𝑥) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2
The random variable 𝑋 assumes the values
0, 1, 2, and 3. The corresponding probabilities of these values are 0.2, 0.3, 0.3 and 0.2,
respectively. The corresponding probabilities are each less than 1
but greater than 0 and when added, the sum is 1.

Σ 𝑃(𝑥) = 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.2

=1

Example 3. A spinner is divided into four equal 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.

Solution:

Let 𝑋 = score on the spinner

1
The probability that the arrow will stop at any of the four sections is 1 out of 4 or 4 .
1 1 1 1
a. 𝑃(1) = 4
𝑃(2) = 4
𝑃(3) = 4
𝑃(4) = 4

b.

𝑥 0 1 2 3
1 1 1 1
𝑃(𝑥)
4 4 4 4

Property 1: 0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑥) ≤ 1
Property 2: Σ 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(2) + 𝑃(3) + 𝑃(4)
1 1 1 1
= 4
+ 4
+ 4
+ 4

=1

Both properties are satisfied. Therefore, the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.

Statistics &Probability 5
Your Turn!

A spinner given below is divided into eight equal sections. Let 𝑋 be the score where the arrow
will stop (numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4, as shown 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.

Challenge! When two fair dice is 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) (1, 2) (1, 3) (1, 4) (1, 5) (1, 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)

Let the random variable 𝑋 be the sum of the two outcomes in throwing the fair dice
simultaneously. The possible values are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

a. Construct a probability distribution for the situation above.

b. Prove that it is a discrete probability distribution.

Example 4. Shown below is the discrete probability distribution of the random variable 𝑋.
Determine the value of 𝑃(2) and construct a probability histogram for it.

𝑥 0 1 2 3 4

𝑃(𝑥) 0.1 0.2 ? 0.2 0.2

Solution:

Using Property 2 to find the value of 𝑃(2) we have,

Σ𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑃(0) + 𝑃(1) + 𝑃(2) + 𝑃(3) + 𝑃(4)

1 = 0.1 + 0.2 + 𝑃(2) + 0.2 + 0.2
1 = 0.7 + 𝑃(2)
𝑃(2) = 0.3

Statistics &Probability 6
 The probability histogram for Example 4 is shown below:

0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0 1 2 3 4

Name: Score: Muntinlupa National High School

Type C, NBP Reservation, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City

CN: Section: Date: 25 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Passing Statistics and Probability
Subject Teacher: Score:19
Random Variable Worksheet No. 1
Direction: Read, understand, solve and write the solution and correct answer on the space provided.

I. Classify the following random variable as discrete or continuous.

________________ 1. number of mobile phones sold in one week in 4E Store

________________ 2. weights in pounds of newly born babies in the MCM nursery
________________ 3. number of cars in Parking Lot A of ATC
________________ 4. number of gifts received by Alex on her birthday
________________ 5. length of time Eric spent in playing LOL in minutes
________________ 6. number of students enrolled in Grade 11 in MNHS Main
________________ 7. number of points Curry scored in his last basketball game
________________ 8. number of employees in Accenture who are BS Nursing graduates
________________ 9. amount of money spent by Napoles family in a month
________________ 10. number of chicken wings sold by Wing Bites in the month of October

II. Determine which of the following are a discrete probability distribution and which are not.
If it is not a discrete probability distribution, identify the property or properties that are
not satisfied.

1. 2.
x 1 2 3 4 5 x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0.10 0.20 0.25 0.40 0.05 P(x) 0.05 0.25 0.33 0.28 0.08

____________________________________ ____________________________________

Statistics &Probability 7
3. 4.
x 1 2 3 4 5 x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 0.08 0.25 0.34 0.31 0.04 P(x) 0.03 0.22 1.01 0.23 0.02

____________________________________ ____________________________________

5. 6.
x 1 2 3 4 5 x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.05 0.27 0.34 0.28 0.06 P(x) 1 3 1 1 3
10 10 5 4 10

____________________________________ ____________________________________

7. 8.
x 2 3 4 5 6 x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 1 1 1 1 1 4 6 8 1 3
P(x)
15 5 3 5 15 25 25 25 5 25

____________________________________ ____________________________________

9. 10.
x 1 2 3 4 5 x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 1 1 3 7 1
P(x) 3 1 3 6 1
10 5 10 20 20
20 4 10 5 10

____________________________________ ____________________________________

III. Do what is asked.

1. A random variable X has the probability distribution as follows:

x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.05 0.25 0.4 ? 0.06

a. Find P(3).
b. Construct a probability histogram to show P(x).

a. b.

Statistics &Probability 8
 2. A random variable X has the probability distribution as follows:

x 1 2 3 4 5
P(x) 2 1 4 1
c
15 5 15 3

a. Find the value of c.

b. Construct a probability histogram to describe P(x).

a. b.

Reference:

• Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability

Jesus P. Mercado, et al.

Statistics &Probability 9