oillustrate a random variable.

odistinguish between discrete and continuous

random variables.
ofind the possible values of a random
variable.
oillustrate a probability distribution for a
discrete random variable and its properties.
Lesson 1.1
 ▪ A function that associates a real number to
each element in the sample space.
▪ It is a variable whose values are
determined by chance.
▪ It is a numerical description of the outcome
of an experiment.

Note: A random variable is represented by an uppercase letter

and lowercase letter is used to represent one of its values.
▪ A variable that can assume only a finite or a
specific number of values.
▪ The number of values are counted and can
be represented by nonnegative whole
numbers.
Example:
1. the number of registered cars.
2. the number of children in a family.
3. the number of students in a classroom.
▪ A variable that can assume infinite number of
values within a specified interval.
▪ The values are obtained from data that are
measured and can be represented not only by
nonnegative whole numbers but also by
fractions and decimals.
Example:
1. height of a person.
2. distance traveled by a vehicle.
3. weight of a newborn baby.
Tell whether each variable is discrete or
continuous.

1. Time required for a vehicle to cover 20 km.

2. Number of airplanes in an airport.
3. Headcount of animals in a zoo.
4. Amount of sugar in a cup of coffee.
5. Volume of water.
▪ The possible values of a random variable are
values that are obtained from functions that
assign a real number to each sample point of a
sample space.

Steps:
1. List the sample space.
2. Count the number of the assigned value in each
outcome and assigned this number to this outcome.
3. Make a conclusion.
 Suppose three coins are tossed. Let X be the
random variable representing the number of
heads that come out. Determine the values of the
random variable X.
Solution:
Determine the sample space.
S = {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, HHT, HTH, THH, HHH}
Count the number of heads in each outcome in the sample space
and assign this number to this outcome.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random
Variable X
(number heads)
TTT 0
TTH 1
THT 1
HTT 1
HHT 2
HTH 2 So, the possible values of the
THH 2 random variable X are 0, 1,
HHH 3 2, and 3.
 An urn contains 4 green balls and 3 yellow balls. An
experiment is done such that two balls are drawn one
after the another without replacement. If Z is the
random variable that gives the number of green balls for
each outcome, find all the possible values for Z.
Solution:
Determine the sample space.
S = {GG, YG, GY, YY}
Count the number of green balls in each outcome in the sample
space and assign this number to this outcome.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random
Variable Z
(number of green balls)
GG 2
YG 1
GY 1
YY 0

So, the possible values of the random

variable Z are 0, 1, and 2.
Lesson 1.2
▪ A discrete probability distribution or a
probability mass function (PMF) consists of the
values a random variable can assume and the
corresponding probabilities of the values.

▪ It can be presented by using a graph

(histogram), table or notation formula.
 a. The probability of each value of a discrete
random variable must be between or equal to 0
and 1. (0 ≤ 𝑃 𝑥 ≤ 1)
b. The sum of all the probabilities is 1.
(σ 𝑃 𝑋 = 1)
Example:
X 0 1 2 3
P(X) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2
 Suppose three coins are Possible Outcomes Value of the
Random Variable X
tossed. Let X be the random (number of heads)
variable representing the TTT 0

number of heads that come TTH 1

THT 1
out. Construct the HTT 1
probability distribution of HHT 2

the random variable. HTH 2

THH 2
HHH 3

The possible values of the random variable X are 0, 1, 2, and 3.

Solution: Compute the probability to each value of the random variable X.
1 3
No head: 𝑃 0 = 𝑜𝑟 0.125 Two heads: 𝑃 2 = 𝑜𝑟 0.375
8 8
3 1
One head: 𝑃 1 = 8 𝑜𝑟 0.375 Three heads: 𝑃 3 = 8 𝑜𝑟 0.125

Hence, the discrete probability distribution is shown below.

Number of 0 1 2 3
Heads (X)
Probability 1 3 3 1
P(X) 8 8 8 8
Probability P(X)

A probability histogram shows the

relative probabilities of the values of
a random variable in the form of bar
graph.

Number of Heads (X)

 An urn contains 4 green balls (G) and
3 yellow balls (Y). An experiment is Possible Value of the Random
Outcomes Variable Z
done such that two balls are drawn (number of green balls)
one after the another without GG 2
replacement. If Z is the random YG 1
variable that gives the number of GY 1
green balls for each outcome, YY 0
construct the probability distribution.

The possible values of the random variable Z are 0, 1, and 2.

Solution: Compute the probability to each value of
the random variable Z.
1
No green ball : 𝑃 0 = 4 𝑜𝑟 0.25
2 1
One green ball: 𝑃 1 = 4 = 2 𝑜𝑟 0.5
1
Two green balls: 𝑃 2 = 4 𝑜𝑟 0.25

Thus, the discrete probability distribution is

presented below.
Number of 0 1 2
Green balls (Z)
Probability 1 1 1
P(Z) 4 2 4
 On a certain 6-day period, an Day No. of
office canteen kept records of the Customers (X)
Monday 483
number of customers it served Tuesday 651
each day from Monday to Wednesday 495
Saturday. The number of Thursday 567
customers per day was Friday 690
Saturday 265
represented by X,

Construct a probability distribution and prepare a graph for the

number of customers of the office canteen for the 6-day period.
Solution: Compute the probability to each value of the random variable X.

The probability for each value of X is computed by dividing the number of

customers for each day by the total number of customers for the 6-day period.

Day No. of Probability

Customers (X) P(X)
483
Monday 483 0.15 𝑃 𝑀𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑦 = = 0.1532
3151
Tuesday 651 0.21 651
𝑃 𝑇𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 = 3151 = 0.2066
Wednesday 495 0.16 495
𝑃 𝑊𝑒𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 = 3151 = 0.1570
Thursday 567 0.18 567
𝑃 𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑑𝑎𝑦 = 3151 = 0.1799
Friday 690 0.22
690
Saturday 265 0.08 𝑃 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑦 = 3151 = 0.2190
265
Total 3,151 𝑃 𝑆𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑎𝑦 = = 0.0841
3151
Determine whether the distribution represents
a discrete probability distribution. Explain your
answer.
1. X 1 5 8 7 9
P(X) 1 1 1 1 1
3 3 3 3 3

2. X 0
1
2
1
4
1
6
1
8
1
P(X)
6 6 3 6 6
3. X 1 3 5 7
P(X) 0.35 0.25 0.22 0.12

4. A random variable X has the following

probability distribution:
X 0 1 2 3 4

P(X) 0.06 0.23 ? 0.35 0.05

Find P(2).
Lesson 1.3
oillustrate the mean, variance, and standard
deviation of a discrete random variables.
ocompute the mean, variance, and standard
deviation of a discrete random variables.
osolve problems related to mean, variance,
and standard deviation and interpret the
results.
▪ The mean of a discrete random variable is
also called the expected value.
▪ It is the weighted average of all the values
that the random variable would assume in
the long run.
▪ The mean or expected value is denoted by
𝐸 𝑋 or 𝜇.
 ▪ It is computed using the formula:

𝑬 𝑿 or 𝝁 = σ[𝒙𝑷 𝒙 ]

where:
X – random variable
𝝁 – mean or expected value
x – outcome or value of the random variable
P(x) – probability of the outcome x
A distribution of the number of students who got
a GPA of 1.5 or higher in the last 5 semesters and
the corresponding probabilities is shown below.
Find the mean of the probability distribution.
Number of
6 8 10 12 14
Students (X)
Probability
0.12 0.22 0.20 0.18 0.28
P(X)
Solution:
Step 1: Construct the probability Step 2: Multiply the value of random
distribution for the random variable variable X by the corresponding
X representing the number of probability.
students who got a GPA of 1.5 or
Number of Probability
higher. Students (X) P(X)
xP(x)

Number of Probability 6 0.12 0.72

Students (X) P(X) 8 0.22 1.76
6 0.12 10 0.20 2.00
8 0.22 12 0.18 2.16
10 0.20 14 0.28 3.92
12 0.18
14 0.28
Step 3: Add the results obtained in Step 2.

Number of Probability
xP(x)
Students (X) P(X)
6 0.12 0.72 The mean obtained is 10.56. Hence,
8 0.22 1.76 the average number of students who
10 0.20 2 obtained a GPA of 1.5 or higher for
12 0.18 2.16 the past 5 semesters or more
14 0.28 3.92 semesters is 10.56.

෍ 𝒙𝑷 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟓𝟔

𝝁 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟓𝟔
A survey conducted on the number of TV units
per household during the past 5 years in a first
subdivision showed the table below. Compute the
mean for the distribution.
Number of
2 3 4 5 6
TV Units (X)
Probability
0.15 0.40 0.25 0.12 0.08
P(X)
Solution:
Step 1: Construct the probability Step 2: Multiply the value of random
distribution for the random variable variable X by the corresponding
X representing the number of TV probability.
units per household.
Number of TV Probability
xP(x)
Number of TV Probability units (X) P(X)
units (X) P(X) 2 0.15 0.30
2 0.15 3 0.40 1.20
3 0.40 4 0.25 1.00
4 0.25 5 0.12 0.60
5 0.12 6 0.08 0.48
6 0.08
Step 3: Add the results obtained in Step 2.

Number of TV Probability
xP(x)
units (X) P(X)
2 0.15 0.30 Thus, the expected value/mean of
3 0.40 1.20 the number of TV units per
4 0.25 1.00 household for the past 5 years or
5 0.12 0.60 longer in the first subdivision is
6 0.08 0.48 3.58.

෍ 𝒙𝑷 𝒙 = 𝟑. 𝟓𝟖

𝝁 = 𝟑. 𝟓𝟖
The report of a weather Number of typhoons per
Probability P(X)
month X
bureau on the forecast of the 0 0.15
number of typhoons entering 1 0.35

the country’s area of 2 0.30

3 0.10
responsibility is manifested 4 0.10
in the following distribution.
What is the average number of
typhoon entering the country per
month?
Solution:
Step 1: Construct the probability Step 2: Multiply the value of random
distribution for the random variable variable X by the corresponding
X representing the number of probability.
typhoon entering the country per
Number of
month. typhoon per
Probability
xP(x)
P(X)
Number of month (X)
Probability
typhoon per 0 0.15 0
P(X)
month (X)
1 0.35 0.70
0 0.15
2 0.30 0.60
1 0.35
3 0.10 0.30
2 0.30
4 0.10 0.40
3 0.10
4 0.10
Step 3: Add the results obtained in Step 2.

Number of
Probability
typhoon per xP(x)
P(X)
month (X)
0 0.15 0 So, the average number of typhoon
1 0.35 0.70 that enters the country per month is
2 0.30 0.60 1.65.
3 0.10 0.30
4 0.10 0.40

෍ 𝒙𝑷 𝒙 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟓

𝝁 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟓
▪ It is a measure of spread or dispersion. It
measures the variation of the values of a
random variable from the mean.

▪ The variance of a discrete random variable

2
is denoted by 𝜎 or 𝑉𝑎𝑟(𝑋).
▪ It is computed using the formula:
𝑽𝒂𝒓(𝑿) or 𝛔𝟐 = σ[ 𝒙 − 𝝁 𝟐 𝑷 𝒙 ]

▪ Alternative Formula:
𝛔𝟐 = ෍ 𝒙𝟐 𝑷 𝒙 − 𝝁𝟐

where:
x – outcome
𝝁 – population mean or expected value
P(x) – probability of the outcome x
▪ It is the square root of the variance.
▪ The standard deviation of a discrete
random variable is written as 𝜎.
▪ It is computed as:

𝝈= ෍ 𝒙 − 𝝁 𝟐𝑷 𝒙
A survey was conducted to find the number of cars each
household owns in a particular subdivision. The results
of the survey are shown below. Find the variance and
standard deviation for the probability distribution.
Number of
1 2 3 4
Cars (X)
Probability
0.25 0.35 0.30 0.10
P(X)
Solution:
Step 1: Find the expected value.
Step 2: Subtract the expected value from each
Number of Probability
xP(x) outcome. Square each difference.
Cars (X) P(X)
1 0.25 0.25
Number
2 0.35 0.70 Probability 𝟐
of Cars xP(x) 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙−𝝁
P(X)
3 0.30 0.90 (X)
2
4 0.10 0.40 1 0.25 0.25 1 - 2.25 = -1.25 −1.25 = 1.5625
2
2 0.35 0.70 2 - 2.25 = -0.25 −0.25 = 0.0625
𝝁 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 3 0.30 0.90 3 - 2.25 = 0.75 0.75 2 = 0.5625
2
4 0.10 0.40 4 - 2.25 = 1.75 1.75 = 3.0625
Step 3: Multiply each square of the difference by the corresponding
probability.

Number
Probability 𝟐
of Cars xP(x) 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙 − 𝝁 𝟐 𝑷(𝒙)
P(X)
(X)
1 0.25 0.25 1 - 2.25 = -1.25 −1.25 2 = 1.5625 0.390625
2 0.35 0.70 2 - 2.25 = -0.25 −0.25 2 = 0.0625 0.021875
2
3 0.30 0.90 3 - 2.25 = 0.75 0.75 = 0.5625 0.16875
2
4 0.10 0.40 4 - 2.25 = 1.75 1.75 = 3.0625 0.30625
Step 4: Sum up all the figures obtained in Step 3.

Number
Probability 𝟐
of Cars xP(x) 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙 − 𝝁 𝟐 𝑷(𝒙)
P(X)
(X)
1 0.25 0.25 1 - 2.25 = -1.25 −1.25 2 = 1.5625 0.390625
2
2 0.35 0.70 2 - 2.25 = -0.25 −0.25 = 0.0625 0.021875
2
3 0.30 0.90 3 - 2.25 = 0.75 0.75 = 0.5625 0.16875
4 0.10 0.40 4 - 2.25 = 1.75 1.75 2 = 3.0625 0.30625

෍ 𝒙 − 𝝁 𝟐𝑷 𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟖𝟕𝟓

𝝈𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟗
To find the standard deviation, get the square root of the variance.

𝜎 2 = 0.89
𝜎 = 𝜎2
= 0.89 = 0.943398
𝝈 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟒

Thus, the variance (𝝈𝟐 ) is 0.89 and the standard deviation (𝝈) is 0.94.
Using the Alternative Formula:
Number
Probability 𝛔𝟐 = ෍ 𝒙𝟐 𝑷 𝒙 − 𝝁𝟐
of Cars xP(x) 𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟐 𝑷(𝒙)
P(X)
(X)
1 0.25 0.25 1 2
=1 0.25
= 5.95 − 2.25 2
2 0.35 0.70 2 2
=4 1.40
= 5.95 − 5.0625
3 0.30 0.90 3 2 =9 2.70
= 0.8875
4 0.10 0.40 4 2 = 16 1.60
𝝈𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟗

𝝁 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 ෍[𝒙𝟐 𝑷 𝒙 ] = 𝟓. 𝟗𝟓 𝜎= 𝜎 2 = 0.89
𝝈 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟒
A store selling boxes of chocolate candies found that the
probabilities of a customer will buy 0, 1, 2, or 3 boxes of
chocolate candies are shown below. Determine the
variance and standard deviation.
Number of
0 1 2 3
boxes (X)
Probability 1 1 1 1
P(X) 18 2 3 9
Solution: Step 2: Subtract the expected value from each
Step 1: Find the expected value. outcome. Square each difference.

Number of Probability Number

xP(x) Probability 𝟐
Boxes (X) P(X) of Boxes xP(x) 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙−𝝁
P(X)
1 (X)
0 0
18 1 2
0 0 0 – 1.5 = -1.5 −1.5 = 2.25
1 1 18
1
2 2 1 1 2
1 1 - 1.5 = -0.5 −0.5 = 0.25
1 2 2 2
2
3 3 1 2 2
2 2 - 1.5 = 0.5 0.5 = 0.25
1 1 3 3
3
9 3 1 1 2
3 3 – 1.5 = 1.5 1.5 = 2.25
9 3
𝟑
𝝁 = 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟓
𝟐
Step 3: Multiply each square of the difference by the corresponding
probability.
Number
Probability 𝟐
of Boxes xP(x) 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙 − 𝝁 𝟐 𝑷(𝒙)
P(X)
(X)
1 2
0 0 0 – 1.5 = -1.5 −1.5 = 2.25 0.125
18
1 1 2
1 1 - 1.5 = -0.5 −0.5 = 0.25 0.125
2 2
1 2 2
2 2 - 1.5 = 0.5 0.5 = 0.25 0.083
3 3
1 1 2
3 3 – 1.5 = 1.5 1.5 = 2.25 2.25
9 3
Step 4: Sum up all the figures obtained in Step 3.
Number
Probability 𝟐
of Boxes xP(x) 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙−𝝁 𝒙 − 𝝁 𝟐 𝑷(𝒙)
P(X)
(X)
1 2
0 0 0 – 1.5 = -1.5 −1.5 = 2.25 0.125
18
1 1 2
1 1 - 1.5 = -0.5 −0.5 = 0.25 0.125
2 2
1 2 2
2 2 - 1.5 = 0.5 0.5 = 0.25 0.083
3 3
1 1 2
3 3 – 1.5 = 1.5 1.5 = 2.25 0.25
9 3

෍ 𝒙 − 𝝁 𝟐𝑷 𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟖𝟑

𝝈𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟖
To find the standard deviation, get the square root of the variance.

𝜎 2 = 0.58
𝜎 = 𝜎2
= 0.58 = 0.761577
𝝈 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟔

Hence, the variance (𝝈𝟐 ) is 0.58 and the standard deviation (𝝈) is 0.76.
Using the Alternative Formula:
Number
Probability
of Boxes
P(X)
xP(x) 𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟐 𝑷(𝒙) 𝛔𝟐 = ෍ 𝒙𝟐 𝑷 𝒙 − 𝝁𝟐
(X)

0
1
0 0 2
=0 0 = 2.83 − 1.5 2
18 = 2.83 − 2.25
1 1 1
1
2 2
1 2
=1
2
𝝈𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟖
1 2 2 4
2 2 =4
3 3 3 𝜎= 𝜎 2 = 0.58
1 1 2
3
9 3
3 =9 1 𝝈 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟔
𝟑 𝟐𝑷
𝟏𝟕
𝝁 = 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟓 ෍[𝒙 𝒙 ]= 𝒐𝒓 𝟐. 𝟖𝟑
𝟐 𝟔