Probability Distribution

Probability Distribution of a Discrete Random

1
Variables
is a list, a table, a graph, or a formula of probabilities associated with each of its
possible values

Example:
In tossing two coins, the possible
outcomes are {𝐻𝐻, 𝐻𝑇, 𝑇𝐻, 𝑇𝑇}. If 𝐗 0 1 2
the random variable 𝑋 denotes the 1 2 1
number of heads in the outcomes, 𝐏(𝐗)
4 4 4
then the table shows the
probability distribution.
 Properties of a Probability Distribution:
2
a. The probability of each outcome is between 0 and 1, inclusive. That is, 0 ≤
𝑃 𝑋 = 𝑥𝑖 ≤ 1.
b. The sum of all the probabilities of the random variable is equal to 1 or 100%.
That is, Σ𝑃 𝑋 = 𝑥𝑖 = 1.
Example 1: Determine whether a distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable 𝑋.
𝑿 1 2 3 4
𝑷(𝑿) 0.32 0.28 0.34 0.06
Example 1: Determine whether a distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable 𝑋.
𝑿 1 2 3 4
𝑷(𝑿) 0.32 0.28 0.34 0.06
Solution:

To determine if the distribution is a valid probability

distribution, we must satisfy the two properties for the
probability distribution of a discrete random variable.
Example 1: Determine whether a distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable 𝑋.
𝑿 1 2 3 4
𝑷(𝑿) 0.32 0.28 0.34 0.06
Solution:

a. The probability of each outcome is between 0 and 1.

The probabilities 0.32, 0.28, 0.34, and 0.06 are all between 0
and 1.
Example 1: Determine whether a distribution is a valid
probability distribution for a discrete random variable 𝑋.

𝑿 1 2 3 4
𝑷(𝑿) 0.32 0.28 0.34 0.06
Solution:
b. The sum of all the probabilities of the random variable is
equal to 1 or 100%.
0.32 + 0.28 + 0.34 + 0.06 = 1

Thus, the above distribution is a valid probability distribution

for the discrete random variable 𝑋.
Example 2: Construct the probability distribution for the
random variable 𝑋 which pertains to the number of tails in
each outcome when tossing two coins.
Example 2: Construct the probability distribution for the
random variable 𝑋 which pertains to the number of tails in
each outcome when tossing two coins.

Solution:
To construct the probability distribution for a discrete
random variable 𝑋, we need to determine the possible
outcomes of a random experiment.

In tossing two coins, the possible outcomes are 𝑆 =

{𝐻𝐻, 𝑇𝑇, 𝐻𝑇, 𝑇𝐻) where 𝐻 represents the head and 𝑇
represents the tail.
Example 2: Construct the probability distribution for the
random variable 𝑋 which pertains to the number of tails in
each outcome when tossing two coins.
Solution:
From the outcomes, we can have the following table:
Number of Tails Outcomes
0 𝐻𝐻
1 𝐻𝑇, 𝑇𝐻
2 𝑇𝑇

Based on the table above, the random variable 𝑋 can take the
values of 0, 1, and 2.
Example 2: Construct the probability distribution for the
random variable 𝑋 which pertains to the number of tails in
each outcome when tossing two coins.
Solution:

Thus, the probability distribution for the discrete random

variable 𝑋 is
𝑿 0 1 2
1 2 1 1
𝑷(𝑿) or
4 4 2 4
Individual Practice:

1. Determine whether the distribution is a valid probability

distribution for a discrete random variable 𝑋.
𝑿 5 6 7 4
𝑷(𝑿) 0.22 0.35 0.18 0.35
 Probability Distribution of a Discrete Random
1
Variables
is a list, a table, a graph, or a formula of probabilities associated with each of its
possible values

Properties of a Probability Distribution:

2
a. The probability of each outcome is between 0 and 1, inclusive. That is, 0 ≤
𝑃 𝑋 = 𝑥𝑖 ≤ 1.
b. The sum of all the probabilities of the random variable is equal to 1 or 100%.
That is, Σ𝑃 𝑋 = 𝑥𝑖 = 1.