1 - 2exploring Random Variables CG 1 AND 2 Lesson1

Exploring Random
Variables
Lesson Objectives:
• At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
• Review Probability
• Define Random Variable
• Distinguish between discrete and continuous random variable
• Find the values of Random Variable
• Develop accuracy in distinguishing between discrete and
from continuous random variables.
What is Probability?
mathematical likelihood of event: the likelihood that an event will
occur, expressed as the ratio of the number of favorable outcomes in the
set of outcomes divided by the total number of possible outcomes.
What is Variable?
A characteristic about each individual element of a population or
sample
What is Sample Space?

set of possible statistical outcomes: the set of all
possible outcomes of a statistical experiment, represented by points
What is Random Variable?
• Is a function that associates a real number to each

element in the sample space. It is a variable whose
values are determined by chance.
• A random variable is a variable that assumes

numerical values associated with the random
outcomes of an experiment, where one (and only one)
numerical value is assigned to each sample point.
Getting Ready!!!
Example 1.
Suppose three cell phones are tested at random. We want to find out the number of
defective cell phones that occur. Thus, to each outcome in the sample space we
shall assign a value. These are 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• If there is no defective cell phone, we assign the number 0; if there is

defective cell phone, we assign the number 1; if there are two defective cell
phones, we assign the number 2; and 3, if there are three defective cell
phones. The number of defective cell phones is a random variable. The
possible values of this variable are 0, 1, 2, and 3.
Illustration:
Let D represent defective cell phone and N represent the non – defective cell phone. If we let x be the random
variable representing the number of defective cell phones, can you show the values of the random variable X?
Complete the table below to show the values of the random variable.
STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. (Let D represent defective The sample space for this experiment is:
cell phone and N represent the non – defective cell phone) S = {NNN, NND, NDN, DNN, NDD, DND, DDN, DDD}
2. Count the number of defectives cell phones in Possible Outcomes Value of Random Variable X
each outcome in the sample space and assign this NNN 0
number to this outcome.
NND 1
NDN 1
DNN 1
NDD 2
DND 2
DDN 2
DDD 3
In – Class Activity 2!
Tossing Three Coins
Suppose Three Coins are tossed. Let Y be the random variable representing the number of tails that occur. Find the
values of the random variable? Find the values of the random variable Y. Complete the table below.
STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. (Let H represent Head and The sample space for this experiment is:
T represent Tail) S ={TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, HHT, HTH, THH , HHH}
2. Count the number of tails each outcome in the Possible Outcomes Value of Random Variable Y
sample space and assign this number to this TTT 3
outcome.
TTH 2
THT 2
HTT 2
HHT 1
HTH 1
THH 1
HHH 0
Types of Random Variable
Discrete Random Variable

• A random variable is a discrete random variable if its set of possible
outcomes is countable. Mostly, discrete random variables represent count
data, such as the number of defective chairs produced in a factory.
Continuous Random Variable

• A random variable is a continuous random variable if it takes on values
on a continuous scale. Often, continuous random variables represent
measured data such as heights, weights, and temperatures.
Discrete Random Variable
Examples
Experiment Random Possible
Variable Values
Make 100 Sales Calls # Sales 0, 1, 2, ..., 100
Inspect 70 Radios # Defective 0, 1, 2, ..., 70
Answer 33 Questions # Correct 0, 1, 2, ..., 33
Count Cars at Toll # Cars 0, 1, 2, ..., ∞

Between 11:00 & 1:00 Arriving
Continuous Random Variable
Examples
Experiment Random Possible
Variable Values
Weigh 100 People Weight 45.1, 78, ...
Measure Part Life Hours 900, 875.9, ...
Amount spent on food $ amount 54.12, 42, ...
Measure Time Inter-Arrival 0, 1.3, 2.78, ...
Between Arrivals Time
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

Try me!
1. The number of desks in the room. ---------------------------Discrete
2. The average height of all students. ----------------------------
Continuous
Discrete
3. The price of gasoline --------------------------------------------
4. Numbers of keys on a key chain ------------------------------ Discrete
5. Numbers of heads when 2 coins are tossed -----------------Discrete
6. Social worker involved in study about family structure
– finds the number of children per family. --------------------- Discrete
7. Archer shoots arrows at the bull’s eye and measures
- the distance from the center to the arrow. ------------------- Continuous
8. The weights, to the nearest kg,
Discrete
of students in a Year 12 class. ---------------------------------
9. The actual volume of petrol in the 1000 litre
‘unleaded petrol’ tanks at those same stations after ------------ Continuous
being filled by a tanker
Quiz 1: In a one whole yellow paper. Answer the following.
1. Complete the table below. List all the possible outcomes in the given situation and find the value
of the given random variable.
 Four coins are tossed. Let Z the random variable representing the number of heads that occur.
Find the values of the random variable Z.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Z
Sample Space:
TTTT HTTT
TTTH HTTH
TTHT HTHT
TTHH HTHH
THTT HHTT
THTH HHTH
THHT HHHT
THHH HHHH
Possible Outcomes Values of Random Variable Z
TTTT 0
TTTH 1
TTHT 1
TTHH 2
THTT 1
THTH 2
THHT 2
THHH 3
HTTT 1
HTTH 2
HTHT 2
HTHH 3
HHTT 2
HHTH 3
HHHT 3
HHHH 4
II. Classify the following random variables as discrete or continuous. Write your
answer
before the number.
Discrete
Continuous
_____________1. The number of defective computers produced by a manufacturer
Continuous
_____________2. The Weight of newborns each year of a region.
_____________3.
Continuous The amount of paint utilized in a building project
Discrete
_____________4. The speed of a car
Discrete
_____________5. The number of female athletes
Continuous
_____________6. The number of voters favoring a candidate
Continuous
_____________7. The average amount of electricity consumed per household per
Continuous
month
Continuous
_____________8. The amount of sugar in a cup of coffee
_____________9. The time needed to finish the test
_____________10. The distance a golf ball travels after being hit with a driver
Look Back and Reflect!
1. How do you find the values of a random variable?

2. How do you know whether a random variable is continuous or
discrete?
3. What is the difference between continuous and discrete random
variables?

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Exploring Random

What is Sample Space?

• Is a function that associates a real number to each

• A random variable is a variable that assumes

• If there is no defective cell phone, we assign the number 0; if there is

Discrete Random Variable

Continuous Random Variable

Inspect 70 Radios # Defective 0, 1, 2, ..., 70

Answer 33 Questions # Correct 0, 1, 2, ..., 33

Count Cars at Toll # Cars 0, 1, 2, ..., ∞

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Z

1. How do you find the values of a random variable?

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