RANDOM VARIABLE
Random Variable
- is a variable whose possible values are
determined by chance.
- is typically represented by an
uppercase letter, usually X, while its
corresponding lowercase letter, x, is used
to represent one of its values.
SAMPLE SPACE
- The set of all possible
outcomes of an experiment.
DISCRETE
RANDOM
VARIABLE
- can only take a finite
(countable) number of
distinct values.
Examples of Discrete Random Variable
1. Let X = number of students randomly selected to be interviewed
by a researcher.
2. Let Y = number of left-handed teachers randomly selected in a
faculty room.
3. Let Z = number of defective light bulbs among the randomly
selected light bulbs.
Continuous Random Variable
- can assume an infinite number of values in
an interval between two specific values. This
means they can assume values that can be
represented not only by nonnegative whole
numbers but also by fractions and decimals.
These values are often results of
measurement.
Examples of Continuous Random Variable
1. Let Y = weights in kilograms of randomly selected
students.
2. Let X = the lengths in centimeters of randomly
selected shoes of senior high school students.
3. Let Z = the hourly temperature last Sunday.
Determine if the random variable is Discrete or
Continuous
1. X = number of points scored in the last season by a
randomly selected basketball player in the NBA
2. Y = the height in centimeter of a randomly selected
student inside the library.
3. X = number of birds in a nest.
4. Y = the weights in kilogram of randomly selected dancers
after taking up aerobics.
Determine if the random variable is Discrete or
Continuous
5. Let X = the number of defective computers produced by
a manufacturer.
6. Let Y = the weight of newborns each year in a hospital.
7. Let Y = the amount of paint utilized in a building
project.
8. Let X = the number of female athletes.
Discrete Probability
Distribution
- A listing of all possible values of a
discrete random variable along with
their corresponding probabilities.
- It can be presented in tabular,
graphical, or formula form.
The following properties must be satisfied before a distribution
can be considered a discrete probability distribution:
a. The probability of each value of a discrete random variable is
between o and 1 inclusive.
0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑥) ≤ 1
b. The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
𝑃 𝑥 = 1
Example 1: Consider the table
below. a. The probability of each
value of a discrete
random variable is
𝒙 0 1 2 3 between o and 1
inclusive.
𝑷(𝒙) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2
𝟎 ≤ 𝑷(𝒙) ≤ 𝟏
b. The sum of all the
probabilities is 1.
𝑷 𝒙 = 𝟏
Example 2: The given spinner is divided
into four sections. Let X be that score
where the arrow will stop.
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. The probability of each
1 1 1 1 value of a discrete
a. 𝑃 1 = 4 , 𝑃 2 = 4 , 𝑃 3 = 4 , and 𝑃 4 = 4 random variable is
between o and 1
b. 𝒙 1 2 3 4
inclusive.
𝟎 ≤ 𝑷(𝒙) ≤ 𝟏
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝑷(𝒙) b. The sum of all the
𝟒 𝟒 𝟒 𝟒
probabilities is 1.
𝑷 𝒙 = 𝟏
Example 3: The given spinner is divided
into eight sections. Let X be that score
where the arrow will stop.
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
1 4
4 4
3 3
Example 4: 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)
We define the random variable X as the sum of the
two outcomes in throwing the two fair dice
simultaneously. The possible values are 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Example 5: Toss a fair coin
twice and let X be the number
of heads (H) observed.
Construct the discrete
probability distribution of X.
THANK YOU!
