PROBABILITY
MASS FUNCTION
LESSON 4
A discrete probability distribution
or a probability mass function
consist of the values a random
variable can assume and the
corresponding probabilities of the
values.
Example#1
A basket contains 10 ripe bananas
and 4 unripe bananas. If three
bananas are taken from the basket
one after the other, determine the
possible outcomes for R,
representing ripe bananas.
STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. Let R The sample space for this experiment is:
represent ripe banana and u represent unripe. S = {RRR, RRU, RUU, UUU, UUR, URU, URR,
RUR}
2. Count the number of tails in each outcome in
the sample space and assign this number to
this outcome.
Possible Outcomes Values of the Random Variable R (number of RIPE
BANANAS)
RRR 3
RRU 2
RUU 1
UUU 0
UUR 1
URU 1
URR 2
RUR 2
1. Construct a probability
distribution
Number of 0 1 2 3
Ripe bananas
(R)
Probability 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
P(R)
2. Construct a probability
histogram
Number of 0 1 2 3
Ripe bananas
(R)
Probability 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
P(R)
3. Find the ff:
a. P(R=3) e. ΣP(R)
b. P(R=1)
c. P(R>1)
d. P(R<2)
Example#2
Suppose three coins are tossed. Let
Y be the random variable
representing the number of tails that
occur. Find the probability of each of
the values of the random variable Y.
STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. Let H The sample space for this experiment is:
represent head and T represent tail. S = {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, HHT, HTH, THH, HHH}
2. Count the number of tails in each outcome in
the sample space and assign this number to
this outcome.
Possible Outcomes Values of the Random Variable Y (number of tails)
TTT 3
TTH 2
THT 2
HTT 2
HHT 1
HTH 1
THH 1
HHH 0
Number of Probability
Tails Y P(Y)
0 1/8
1 3/8
2 3/8
3 1/8
The Probability Distribution or the Probability Mass Function
of Discrete Random Variable Y
Number of 0 1 2 3
Tails Y
Probability 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
P(Y)
Example#3
Two balls are drawn in succession
without replacement form an urn
containing 5 red balls and 6 blue
balls. Let Z be the random variable
representing the number of blue
balls. Construct the probability
distribution of the random variable Z.
STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. Let B The sample space for this experiment is:
represent the blue ball and R represent the red S = {RR, RB, BR, BB}
ball
2. Count the number of tails in each outcome in
the sample space and assign this number to
this outcome.
Possible Outcomes Values of the Random Variable Z (number of tails)
RR 0
RB 1
BR 1
BB 2
Number of Probability
Blue Balls Z P(Z)
0 ¼
1 ½
2 ¼
The Probability Distribution or the Probability Mass Function
of Discrete Random Variable Z
Number of 0 1 2
Tails Z
Probability ¼ ½ ¼
P(Z)
Math Groupie
Four coins are tossed. Let Z be the
random variable representing the
number of heads that occur. Find the
values of the random variable Z.
Number of 0 1 2 3 4
Head Z
Probability
P(Z)
Math Groupie
Four coins are tossed. Let Z be the
random variable representing the
number of heads that occur. Find the
values of the random variable Z.
Number of 0 1 2 3 4
Head Z
Probability 1/16 4/16 6/16 4/16 1/16
P(Z)
Math Selfie
A meeting of consuls was attended
by 4 Americans and 2 Germans.
a. If three consuls were selected at
random, construct the probability
distribution for G representing the
number of Germans.
b. Construct the probability
histogram.
That’s all folks!!!
