PROBABILITY MASS
FUNCTION
LESSON 1.2
PROBABILITY MASS
FUNCTION
The set of all possible values of
the random variable X together
with their corresponding
associated probabilities form the
probability distribution of X. If X is
a discrete random variable, the
probability distribution is called a
probability mass function or
pmf.
It is the set of all possible
values of a discrete
random variable together
with their corresponding
probabilities. It may be
expressed in tabular form,
graphical form or formula
form.
Steps in constructing the
Probability Mass Function
1. Construct the sample
space.
2. Compute for its probability.
3. Construct the Probability
Mass Function (tabular,
formula and graphical)
EXAMPLE
Consider the experiment of tossing 2
coins, and let X be the number of
Heads that turn up. Construct the
probability mass function of X.
SOLUTION:
STEP 1: Construct the sample
space.
STEP 2: Compute for its
probability
STEP 3: Construct the pmt
Formula Form
Graphical Form(Histogram)
PROBABILITY DENSITY FUNCTION
of a Continuous Variable
The sum of the probabilities of
continuous random variables is zero;
thus, it cannot be presented in the
tabular form of probability distribution.
An example of such variables is the
average profit of all of the fast food
chains in the country per week in
which, the data is infinite and has no
exact interval.
When two fair dice are
thrown simultaneously.
What 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
dice simultaneously. The possible values are
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
The probabilities of each of the possible
values P(x) are given below.
�(2) �(8)
�(3) �(9)
�(4) �(10)
�(5) �(11)
�(6) �(12)
�(7)
For continuous variables, a
formula and a graph of probability
mass(or density) function are utilized
to illustrate the function of numerical
values. The area of the curve above
the graphs axis is equal to 1 or 100%.
This curve has many applications in
the analysis of data, example in
business, education , and politics.
EXAMPLE
In a continuous random variable,
the probability density function is
2�+1
�(�) = , where 0< x<6.
4
a. Find the area of P(3 < x < 6).
b. Find the area of P(x > 4).
2�+1
Answer: a. If �(�) = , then
4
2(3)+1 7
�(�) = =
4 4
2(6)+1 13
�(�) = =
4 4
Thus, the problem can simply be
solved by getting the area of a
trapezoid.
1
Area = (��� �� ℎ���ℎ��)(����)
2
1 7 13
= ( + )(3)
2 4 4
15
= or 7.5
2
b. Using the same graph
To get the value of �(4), �� ���������� � = 4
into the probability mass function:
2�+1 2(4)+1 9
�(4) = = =
4 4 4
13
Since �(6) = , the area of �(� > 4) is guide by
1 9 4 13
the Area = ( + )(2)
2 4 4
22 11
= or
2 2
LET’S PRACTICE
In a continuous random variable, the
probability density function is �(�) =
3�+2
, where 0< x<8.
6
a. Find the area of P(5 < x < 8).
b. Find the area of P(x > 5).
