Lesson

3 Discrete Probability Distribution

Content Standard: Performance Standard:
The learner demonstrates understanding of key The learner is able to apply an appropriate random
concepts key concepts of random variables and variable for a given real life problem (such as
probability distribution. decision making and games of chance).
Learning Competencies:
• Illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties.
• Construct the probability mass function of a discrete random variable and its corresponding
histogram.

Explore
Directions: Answer the given exercises.
A. The following data show the nationalities of the participants in the International Conference on
Human Rights held in the Philippines. Construct a frequency distribution fir these data. Fill out the
table.

American Italian Japanese German American

German American Italian German Japanese
Filipino Japanese Filipino Korean Japanese
German American American Italian Filipino
Chinese Japanese German Japanese Chinese
Korean Italian Japanese Filipino American

Nationality Number of Participants

1 | Advanced Statistics with Research Property of DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF CALAPAN.

Quarter 1 - Random Variables/ Probability Distribution Do not reproduce or disseminate without the owner’s consent.
 B. Answer the following questions.
1. 4x – 5, where x = 5

2. x2 – 5x + 7, where x = −4

3𝑥 − 9
3. , where x = 2
5𝑥 + 4

3𝑥 2 − 2
4. 4. , where x = 3
𝑥+5

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 9
5. , where x = 1
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥− 1

C. Determine the probability of the following events.

1. What is the probability of obtaining a tail in a single toss a die?
2. What is the probability of obtaining a face card in a single draw of a card from a deck?
3. What is the probability of obtaining exactly two heads in a toss of three coins?
4. What is the probability of obtaining a prime number in a single throw a die?
5. What is the probability of obtaining a diamond in a single draw of a card from a deck?

Discussion

Discrete Probability Distribution

In lesson 1, we have learned how to determine the values of a discrete random variable. We
can make a frequency distribution of the values of the random variable and determine the probability
that each value of the random variable will occur. The resulting distribution is called a “probability
distribution” of the discrete random variable . The probability distribution of a discrete random variable
is sometimes called the “probability mass function”.

Sample Problems
1. A basket contains 10 ripe and 4 unripe bananas. If three bananas are taken from the basket one after
the other, determine the possible values of the random variable R representing the number of the ripe
bananas.

Solution:
▪ List the sample space of the experiment.
S = {RRR, RRU, RUR, URR, UUR, URU, RUU, UUU}
▪ Count the number of heads in each outcome and assign this number to this outcome.

Outcome RRR RRU RUR URR UUR URU RUU UUU

No. of Ripe
3 2 2 2 1 1 0 0
Bananas

2 | Advanced Statistics with Research Property of DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF CALAPAN.

Quarter 1 - Random Variables/ Probability Distribution Do not reproduce or disseminate without the owner’s consent.
 ▪ Construct the frequency distribution of the values of the random variable R.

Number of Ripe Bananas Number of Occurrence

(Values of R) (frequency)
3 1
2 3
1 3
0 1
Total 8

▪ Construct the probability distribution of the random variable R by getting the probability of
occurrence of each value of the random variable.

Number of Ripe Bananas Number of Occurrence Probability

(Values of R) (frequency) P(R)
1
3 1
8
3
2 3
8
3
1 3
8
1
0 1
8
Total 8 1

▪ The probability distribution of the random variable R can be written as follow:

R 3 2 1 0
1 3 3 1
P(R)
8 8 8 8

Discussion

• Properties of a Discrete Probability Distribution

a) The sum of the probabilities of all values of the random variable must be equal to 1.
∑ 𝑃(𝑥) = 1
b) The probability of each value should be more than or equal to zero and less than or equal to 1.
0 ≤ 𝑃(x) ≤ 1 , for each value of x.

Sample Problems
1. Consider the probability distribution of the number of bananas given below:

3 | Advanced Statistics with Research Property of DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF CALAPAN.

Quarter 1 - Random Variables/ Probability Distribution Do not reproduce or disseminate without the owner’s consent.
 R 3 2 1 0
1 3 3 1
P(R)
8 8 8 8
Find the following:
1. P(R = 3) 4. P(R < 2)
2. P( R = 1) 5. ∑ 𝑃(𝑅)
3. P(R > 1)

Solution:
▪ Analyze how to solve each of the given problem.
𝟏 3 1 𝟏
1. P(R = 3) = 𝟖 4. P(R < 2) = P(1) + P(0) = 8 + 8 = 𝟐
𝟑 1 3 3 1
2. P( R = 1) = 𝟖 5. ∑ P(R) = P(2) + P(3) + P(1) + P(0) = 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 1
1 3 𝟏
3. P(R > 1) = P(2) + P(3) = 8 + 8 = 𝟐

Take Note:
Observe from these examples that each probability value is less than or equal to one, but greater
than or equal to zero. Notice also that the sum of the probability is equal to 1.

Discussion
• Finding the Discrete Probability Distribution Described by a Formula
Sometimes the discrete probability distribution is described by a formula. To ascertain that a
formula describes a probability describes a probability distribution, we need to substitute the values
of the random variable in the formula, and the obtained values should satisfy the properties of a
probability distribution.

Sample Problems
𝑥+1
1. Determine whether or not the formula below describes a probability distribution: P(X) = where x =
7
0, 1, 3. If it is, find the following:
1. P(X = 3)
2. P(X ≥ 1)
3. P(X ≤ 1)

Solution:
▪ To determine if the formula describes a probability, substitute the values of the random
variables in the formula to get the corresponding probability values. The obtained values are
shown in the table below.

4 | Advanced Statistics with Research Property of DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF CALAPAN.

Quarter 1 - Random Variables/ Probability Distribution Do not reproduce or disseminate without the owner’s consent.
 X 0 1 3

1 2 4
P(X)
7 7 7

▪ The formula gives a probability distribution because 0 ≤ 𝑃(x) ≤ 1, where X = 0, 1, 3. Likewise,

the sum of all probability values is equal to one.
𝟒
1. P(X = 3) =
𝟕
2 4 𝟔
2. P(X ≥ 1) = P(1) + P(3) = + =
7 7 𝟕
1 2 𝟑
3. P(X ≤ 1) = P(0) + P(1) = + =
7 7 𝟕

Discussion

• Graphical Presentation of a Discrete Probability Distribution

The probability distribution of a discrete random variable can be shown graphically by
constructing a histogram. The graph is called a “probability histogram”. It displays the possible values
of a discrete random variable on the horizontal axis and the probabilities of those values on the vertical
axis. Analyze the example below.

Sample Problems

1. A basket contains 10 ripe and 4 unripe bananas. If three bananas are taken from the basket one after
the other, determine the possible values of the random variable R representing the number of the ripe
bananas.

Solution:
▪ List the sample space of the experiment.

S = {RRR, RRU, RUR, URR, UUR, URU, RUU, UUU}

▪ Count the number of heads in each outcome and assign this number to this outcome.

Outcome RRR RRU RUR URR UUR URU RUU UUU

No. of Ripe
3 2 2 2 1 1 0 0
Bananas

5 | Advanced Statistics with Research Property of DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF CALAPAN.

Quarter 1 - Random Variables/ Probability Distribution Do not reproduce or disseminate without the owner’s consent.
 ▪ Construct the frequency distribution of the values of the random variable R.

Number of Ripe Bananas Number of Occurrence

(Values of R) (frequency)
3 1
2 3
1 3
0 1
Total 8

▪ Construct the probability distribution of the random variable R by getting the probability of
occurrence of each value of the random variable.

Number of Ripe Bananas Number of Occurrence Probability

(Values of R) (frequency) P(R)
1
3 1
8
3
2 3
8
3
1 3
8
1
0 1
8
Total 8 1

▪ The probability distribution of the random variable R can be written as follow:

R 3 2 1 0
1 3 3 1
P(R)
8 8 8 8

▪ Construct the probability histogram of the probability distribution of the number of ripe
bananas.

Supplemental Content:
▪ Understanding Random Variables - Probability
Distributions 1 By: Dr. Nic’s Maths and Stats
(www.youtube .com)
Reference(s):
▪ Statistics and Probability Module 1 – Lady Jane
Calderon
▪ Statistics and Probability – Brilliant Creations
Publishing Inc.,
▪ Statistics and Probability for Senior High School
– Mutya K-12 Compliant
▪ Statistics and Probability – Rex Bookstore

6 | Advanced Statistics with Research Property of DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF CALAPAN.

Quarter 1 - Random Variables/ Probability Distribution Do not reproduce or disseminate without the owner’s consent.