OLIVAREZ COLLEGE

DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_

I. OUTCOMES OF LEARNING
MODULE 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
I. OUTCOMES OF LEARNING:
1. Illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous).
2. Distinguishes between a discrete and a continuous random variable.
3. Find the possible values of a random variable.
4. Illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties.
5. Computes probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.
6. Illustrates mean and variance of a discrete random variable.
7. Calculates the mean and variance of a discrete random variable.
8. Interprets the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.

II. LESSON PRESENTATION

Random Variable is a numerical measure of the outcome from a probability experiment, so
its value is determined by chance.

Example: A die is rolled two times in and a random variable 𝑋 is assigned as the number of times a “6” appears.

TYPES OF RANDOM VARIABLE

DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE CONTINUOUS RANDOM VARIABLE

It is a random variable that has values

either a finite number of possible values It is a random variable that has an infinite number
or a countable number of possible values. of possible values that is not countable.

EXAMPLES:
EXAMPLES: 1. Height of students in class
1. Number of students present 2. Time it takes to get to school
2. Number of heads when flipping three
coins

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_

Distinguishing between Discrete and Continuous Random Variable

To represent the random variable, use capital letter

Examples: X, Y, or Z

and use small letter to list the possible values of the random variable

Examples: x, y, or z

Example: A single die is cast. What are the possible outcomes of getting odd numbers in pips showing on the die?

ANSWER: A single die is cast, 𝑥 represents the number of pips showing on the die and the possible values of 𝑥 are
𝒙 = {𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑, 𝟒, 𝟓, 𝟔}

and the random variable X which shows the odd numbers are

𝑿 = {𝟏, 𝟑, 𝟓}

EXAMPLES: Determine whether the following random variable is discrete or continuous. State possible values for the
random variable.

Given Random Variable (𝑿) Possible Values (𝒙) Discrete or Continuous

1. Inspect 20 deliveries of cellular Number of defective cellular 𝑥 = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . ,20 Discrete
phones phones
2. Get some rice from a 20kg sack Weight of rice (in kg) 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 20 Continuous
3. The number of light bulbs that Number of light bulbs that Discrete
burn out in a room of 10 light bulbs burn out 𝑥 = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . , 10
in the next year.
4. The length of time between calls The length of time 𝑡 (𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒) > 0 Continuous
to 911

PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION

 provides the possible values of the random variable and their corresponding probabilities.
 A probability distribution can be in the form of a table, graph or mathematical formula.
 It defines by a probability mass function denoted by 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥).

Requirement of Discrete Probability

 Let 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) represent the probability of the random variable 𝑿 equals 𝒙 then, ∑ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) = 𝟏 and
𝟎 ≤ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) ≤ 𝟏.

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_

Identifying Probability Distribution

Is the following given is a Probability Distribution?

TABLE 1 TABLE 2
𝒙 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) 𝒙 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)
0 0.16 0 0.16
1 0.18 1 0.18
2 0.22 2 0.22
3 0.10 3 0.10
4 0.3 4 0.3
5 0.01 5 0.04

∑ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟕 ∑ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) = 𝟏

Table 1 shows that the Table 2 shows that the

probability mass functions are probability mass functions
𝟎 ≤ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) ≤ 𝟏. However, are 𝟎 ≤ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) ≤ 𝟏 and
the probability distribution is assures that the sum of the
Σ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) ≠ 1. Therefore, it is probabilities for all the
NOT a Probability Distribution. possible values of a
random variable is equal
to 1. Therefore, it is a
Probability Distribution.

For discrete probability distribution, each possible value has a non-zero likelihood. Furthermore, the
probabilities for all possible values must sum to one. Because the total probability is 1, one of the values must
occur for each opportunity.

EXAMPLE:

Three coins are tossed and the random variable X gives the number of tails.

Head (H) Tail (T)

(Sample Space) S = {𝑯𝑯𝑯, 𝑯𝑯𝑻, 𝑯𝑻𝑯, 𝑯𝑻𝑻, 𝑻𝑯𝑯, 𝑻𝑯𝑻, 𝑻𝑻𝑯, 𝑻𝑻𝑻}

(Range Space) X = {𝟎, 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑}

Sample Space - the set of all possible outcomes of an

experiment.

Range Space - the interval of the set of all possible values for
a given random variable. 3
LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_
𝒙 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)
0 1
= 0.1250
8

1 3
= 0.3750 - Since the summation of the Probability of Random Variable 𝑿
8 equals 𝒙 is equal to 1. Therefore, it is a Probability Distribution
2 3
= 0.3750
8

3 1
= 0.1250
8

∑ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) = 𝟏

PROBABILITY HISTOGRAM

A probability histogram is a histogram in which the horizontal axis corresponds to the value of the random
variable and the vertical axis represents the probability of that value of the random variable.

𝒙 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)
0 1
0.1250
PROBABILITY HISTOGRAM
8
0.4
Probability Distribution

1 3
0.3750
8 0.3

2 3
0.3750 0.2
8
𝑷(𝑿=𝒙)

3 1 0.1
0.1250
8
0
∑ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) = 𝟏 0 1 2 3
Random Variable
𝒙

THE MEAN OF A DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE

The Mean of a Discrete Random Variable is given by this formula

𝛍𝒙 =∑ [𝑿 ∙ 𝑷 (𝑿 = 𝒙) ]

Where X is the random variable and P(X=x) is the probability of the random variable X equals x.
Therefore, mean of discrete random variable is equal to the summation of the product of Random Variable X and
the Probability of Random Variable X equals x.

EXAMPLE:

Three coins are tossed and the random variable X gives the number of tails.

Sample Space = {𝐻𝐻𝐻, 𝐻𝐻𝑇, 𝐻𝑇𝐻, 𝐻𝑇𝑇, 𝑇𝐻𝐻, 𝑇𝐻𝑇, 𝑇𝑇𝐻, 𝑇𝑇𝑇}

Range Space = {0, 1, 2, 3}

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_

x 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷 (𝑿 = 𝒙)
0 0.1250 0
1 0.3750 0.3750
2 0.3750 0.75
3 0.1250 0.3750
∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1 ∑𝑿 ∙ 𝑷 (𝑿 = 𝒙) = 1.5

𝛍𝒙 = 1.5

-Therefore, the mean (𝝁𝒙 )is 1.5

THE VARIANCE OF DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE

The Variance of a Discrete Random Variable is given by this formula:

𝝈𝟐 𝒙 = ∑ [ (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)]

Where (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 is the square of the difference of the random variable and the mean and P(X=x) is
the probability of the random variable X equals x.

Therefore, variance of discrete random variable is equal to the summation of the product of the squares
of the difference of the random variable and the mean and probability of the random variable X equals x.

THE STANDARD DEVIATION OF DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE

The Standard Deviation of a Discrete Random Variable is given by this formula:

𝝈𝒙 =√∑ [ (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)]

EXAMPLE:

Three coins are tossed and the random variable X gives the number of tails.

Sample Space = {𝐻𝐻𝐻, 𝐻𝐻𝑇, 𝐻𝑇𝐻, 𝐻𝑇𝑇, 𝑇𝐻𝐻, 𝑇𝐻𝑇, 𝑇𝑇𝐻, 𝑇𝑇𝑇}

Range Space = {0, 1, 2, 3}

x 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) 𝒙 ∙ 𝑷 (𝑿 = 𝒙) 𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)
0 0.125 0 -1.5 2.25 0.2813
1 0.375 0.375 -0.5 0.25 0.0938
2 0.375 0.75 0.5 0.25 0.0938
3 0.125 0.375 1.5 2.25 0.2813
∑ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) = 𝟏 ∑𝑿 ∙ 𝑷 (𝑿 = 𝒙) = 1.5 ∑ [(𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)] =0.7502

𝛍𝒙 = 1.5 𝝈𝟐 𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓𝟎𝟐

𝝈𝒙 =√∑ [ (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)]

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_
𝝈𝒙 =√𝝈𝟐 𝒙

𝝈𝒙 =√𝟎. 𝟕𝟓𝟎𝟐

𝝈 = 0.8661

The mean can be regarded as a measure of `central location' of a random variable. It is the weighted
average of the values that 𝑋 can take, with weights provided by the probability distribution.

The mean is also sometimes called the expected value or expectation of 𝑋 and denoted by 𝐸(𝑋). These
are both somewhat curious terms to use; it is important to understand that they refer to the long-run average. The
mean is the value that we expect the long-run average to approach. It is not the value of 𝑋 that we expect to
observe.

Variance measures how far a set of data is spread out. A variance of zero indicates that all of the data values
are identical. All non-zero variances are positive.A small variance indicates that the data points tend to be very close
to the mean, and to each other. A high variance indicates that the data points are very spread out from the mean, and
from one another. Variance is the average of the squared distances from each point to the mean.

Standard deviation is a measure of the average distance between the values of the data in the set and the
mean. A small standard deviation means that the values in a statistical data set are close to the mean of the data set,
on average, and a large standard deviation means that the values in the data set are farther away from the mean, on
average

I
III. NTERACTIVE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How are you going to define Random Variables?

2. Do you think that random variables is helpful in Statistics and Probability? Explain your answer.

3. How do you differentiate Discrete and Continuous? Give three (3) examples.

4. Why it is there’s a need to compute for probabilities?

5. How are you going to apply the context of Probability in real-life?

IV. VALUES REFLECTION

Directions: Tell whether the given random variables are DISCRETE or CONTINUOUS. Then, give the possible
values of each random variable. Explain your answer based on your understanding.

a. Number of clients of an insurance agent per month.

b. Number of correct answers in a 20-item multiple choice quiz.

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_
c. Number of students from among 200 nursing students who will join a medical mission.

V. ACTIVITY ENGAGEMENT
Direction: Complete the table and determine the following.

a. Determine 𝑃(𝑋 = 2)
b. Find 𝑃(𝑋 < 2).
c. Find𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 3).
d. Construct the probability histogram of 𝑋.

GIVEN: A random variable X has a probability mass function given by:

𝒙 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)
0 .1
1 .2
2 ?
3 .4

VI. RESEARCH EXPLORATION

Watch the video and other references by clicking the website below:

 Random Variable, Retrieved from https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/random-variable-md1.html

 Investopedia: Random Variable, Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/random-variable.asp
 Statistics: Probability Using Discrete Random Variables in Filipino, Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfo8xvyjhhU
 The Mean and Standard Deviation of a Probability Distribution using Excel, Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H146Y2bhvAA
 Constructing a probability distribution for random variable | Khan Academy, Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqK3uRoPtk0&t=2s
 Probability Distribution, Retrieved from https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/probability-distribution-
md3.html
 Understanding Probability Distributions, Retrieved from https://statisticsbyjim.com/basics/probability-
distributions/#:~:text=A%20probability%20distribution%20is%20a,on%20the%20underlying%20probabilit
y%20distribution.

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_

I
VII. NTEGRATION PROCESS AND SYNTHESIS

RANDOM VARIABLE is a numerical measure of the outcome from a probability experiment, so its value is
determined by chance.
Discrete random variables are random variables obtained by counting.
Continuous random variables are measurements or dimensions on a continuous scale.
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 provides the possible values of the random variable and their corresponding probabilities.
 A probability distribution can be in the form of a table, graph or mathematical formula.
 It defines by a probability mass function denoted by 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥).
Requirement of Discrete Probability
 Let 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) denote the probability the random variable 𝑋 equals 𝑥 then, ∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1 and 0 ≤
S 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) ≤ 1.
Y THE MEAN OF A DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE
The Mean of a Discrete Random Variable is given by this formula
N
𝛍𝒙 =∑ [𝑿 ∙ 𝑷 (𝑿 = 𝒙) ]
T Where X is the random variable and P(X=x) is the probability of the random variable X equals
H x.
E
S THE VARIANCE OF DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE
I The Variance of a Discrete Random Variable is given by this formula
S
𝝈𝟐 𝒙 = ∑ [ (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)]

Where (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 is the squares of the difference of the random variable and the mean and
P(X=x) is the probability of the random variable X equals x.

THE STANDARD DEVIATION OF DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE

The Standard Deviation of a Discrete Random Variable is given by this formula:
𝝈𝒙 =√∑ [ (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)]

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_

Directions: Fill in the boxes by summarizing what you have learned about Random Variables.
RANDOM VARIABLE

TYPES OF RANDOM VARIABLE

L
E
A
R
N
I
EXAMPLES: EXAMPLES:
N
G

R
E
F PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
L
E
C
T
I
MEAN VARIANCE
O
N

VIII. ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING

I. Classify the following random variables as DISCRETE or CONTINUOUS. Write your answer on the
space provided.

1. Time to finish a race 6. The number of books on the shelves in the library
2. Number of diamonds in a poker hand 7. The number of heads when flipping a coin
3. Height of 100 students 8. The volume of water in a swimming pool
4. Number of doubles in a roll of two dice 9. The speed of bicycle
5. Hours spent answering a test 10. Number of marbles in a bag

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
 OLIVAREZ COLLEGE
DR. PABLO R. OLIVAREZ – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MATH 002 – Statistics and Probability
Module No. _1_
II. Direction: Complete the table and determine the Mean, Variance, and Standard Deviation of the

Probability distribution. Then, construct a Probability Histogram for the given.

X 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) 𝒙 ∙ 𝑷 (𝑿 = 𝒙) 𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)
0 0.0625
1 0.25
2 0.375
3 0.25
4 0.0625

∑ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙) = ∑𝑿 ∙ 𝑷 (𝑿 = 𝒙) = ∑ [(𝒙 − 𝝁𝒙 )𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)] =

𝛍𝒙 = 𝝈𝟐 𝒙 =

𝝈=

IX. NETWORK LINKS, DIGITAL SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Digital Sources
 Random variables | Probability and Statistics | Khan Academy, Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v9w79NhsfI
 Constructing a probability distribution for random variable | Khan Academy, Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqK3uRoPtk0
 Mean of a discrete random variable, Retrieved from
https://amsi.org.au/ESA_Senior_Years/SeniorTopic4/4c/4c_2content_5.html?fbclid=IwAR2BYnXcB41c3Om-
Px4ghiZj7f_iZK_Z4L4M0Z7N-yKmJBzABepDnCFbIg0
 Variance and Standard Deviation, Retrieved from
https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Algebra1/StatisticsData/STSD.html?fbclid=IwAR2nCTgtvW22lIh4eBq4gq8Z0X
wtof0XwKmMT-9HzXFB-CymQ0ZxFgQWLFs

Textbooks
Ocampo-Remoto, Shirlee (1936). Probability, Statistics and Applications. Quezon City: Abiva Publishing House, Inc.

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LESSON 1: RANDOM VARIABLE AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION