Random Variables

Learning Targets

◉ Define random variable

◉ Find the possible values of a random variable.
◉ Illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous).
◉ Differentiate discrete and a continuous random variable.
◉ Illustrates a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and
its properties.
◉ Constructs the probability mass function of a discrete random variable
and its corresponding histogram.
◉ Computes probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.

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Random Variables
Statistics and Probability 1 3
What are the 2 types of
quantitative variable?
Discrete and Continuous

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 Recall 2 Types of Random Variables

◉ Number of students ◉ People in line

◉ Length ◉ Time
◉ Weight ◉ Mistakes per page
◉ Number of calls
◉ Depth
◉ Shares of stock
◉ Volume

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Rolling a die
What is the sample space of the experiment?
𝑆 = 1,2,3,4,5,6 ?
S={ }?

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 Random Variables

◉ Is a variable that can take on values based on the outcomes of a random

experiment.
◉ It is a rule that assigns a number to each outcome of a chance
experiment.
◉ Is a variable whose possible values are determined by chance.
◉ Is typically represented by an uppercase letter, usually X, while its
corresponding lowercase letter in this case, x, is used to represent one of
its values.

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 Random Variables
Rolling a die. Let the variable X represent the number of dots that result
from this experiment.

Possible Outcomes Random Variable X

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𝑋 = {1,2,3,4,5,6} 6

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 Random Variables

Suppose three cellphones are tested at random. We want to find out the
number of defective cellphones that occur. Thus, to each outcome in the
sample space, we need to assign a value. Let X be the number of defective
cellphones.
These are 0,1,2, or 3. If there is no defective
phone, we assign 0, for one defective phone,
we have 1 as the value; 2 for two defective and
3 for all defective.
The possible values of this random variable are
0,1,2,3.
𝑋 = 0,1,2,3

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 Random Variables

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.
Sample Space Random Variable X
HHH 3
HHT 2
HTH 2
HTT 1
THH 2
THT 1

𝑋 = {0,1,2,3} TTH 1
TTT 0

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 2
Discrete Probability
Distribution
Statistics and Probability

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

◉ Consists of the values of a random variable can assume the

corresponding probabilities of the values.
◉ Can be presented in tabular, graphical, or formula form
◉ Also called probability mass function

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.
Sample Random Probability
Space Variable X
1
HHH 3 8

1
HHT 2 8
1
HTH 2 8
1
HTT 1 8
1
THH 2
8

THT 1 1
𝑋 = {0,1,2,3} TTH 1
8
1
8
TTT 0 1
8

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.

TABULAR FORM

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

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.

FORMULA FORM

1 3 3 1
෍𝑃 𝑥 = + + +
8 8 8 8

෍𝑃 𝑥 = 1

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 Properties of Discrete Probability Distribution

1. The probability of each value of a random variable must be between

or equal to 0 and 1.
0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑥) ≤ 1
2. The sum of probabilities of all values of the random variable must be
equal to 1.
෍𝑃 𝑥 = 1

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 Example
Demand for copies of a movie magazine at a variety store.

1. What is the probability that at Number of Copies (X) Probability P(X)

least two but not more than six 0 0.06

will be demanded in a particular 1 0.14

day? 2 0.16
3 0.14
2. Find P(X ≤ 2) 4 0.12

3. Find P(X ≥ 7) 5 0.10

6 0.08
4. Find P(1 ≤ X ≤ 5 ) 7 0.07
5. Find P(X>10) 8 0.06

6. Find P(X=9) 9 0.04

10 0.03

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 Activity: Find the probability.
Number of Cars (X) Probability P(X)
1. Find P(X ≤ 4)
0 0.100
2. Find P(X ≥ 8) 1 0.150

3. Find P(3 ≤ X ≤ 9 ) 2 0.250

3 0.140
4. Find P(X>10) 4 0.090

5. Find P(X=7) 5 0.080

6 0.060
7 0.050
8 0.040
9 0.025

10 0.015

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Activity: Determine whether the distribution is a discrete
probability distribution.

X 3 6 8

P(X) -0.3 0.6 0.7

X 1 2 3 4 5
3 1 1 2 3
P(X)
10 10 10 10 10

H 0 1 2
1 1 1
P(H)
4 2 4

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

GRAPHICAL FORM
HISTOGRAM
◉ A graph consisting of bars of equal
width drawn adjacent to each other
(without gaps)
◉ The horizontal scale represents the
value of random variable
◉ The vertical scale represents probability

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 Discrete Probability Distribution
A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.
GRAPHICAL FORM
4
8
3

Probability P(X)
8
2
8
1
8
0

0 1 2 3
Random Variable X
Number of Heads

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 Let’s Try 2

Construct the tabular (5points), formula form (5points) and

histogram(5points) of the experiment.
The experiment is the sum of number of dots when rolling two dice.
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

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 Learning Targets

◉ Define random variable

◉ Find the possible values of a random variable.
◉ Illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous).
◉ Differentiate discrete and a continuous random variable.
◉ Illustrates a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and
its properties.
◉ Constructs the probability mass function of a discrete random variable
and its corresponding histogram.
◉ Computes probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.

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