INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Unit 1 Random Variables and Probability Distributions

Lesson 1. Random Variable

At the end of the lesson, the learner will be able to:

1. illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous);
2. distinguish between a discrete and a continuous variable;
3. find the possible values of a random variable; and
4. illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its
properties.

DISCUSSION

A random variable is a variable whose possible values are determined by chance. A

random variable 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. For
example, a coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that result
from this experiment.

In the illustration above, random variable is represented by the uppercase X. The

lowercase x represents the specific values. Hence, x = 3, x = 2, x = 1, x=2, x = 1, x = 1, and
x = 0.
The sample space for the possible outcores is
S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, HTT, THH. THT, TTH. TTT}.
The value of the variable X can be 0, 1, 2, or 3. Then, in this example, X is a random variable.
Random variables can either be discrete or continuous.
Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.
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A discrete random variable can only take a finite (countable) number of distinct
values. The values are exact and can be represented by nonnegative whole numbers.

The following are examples of discrete random variables.

1. Let X = number of students randomly selected to be interviewed by a researcher.

This is a discrete random variable because its possible values are 0, 1, or 2, and
so on.

2. Let Y = number of eft-handed teachers randomly selected in a faculty room. This

is a discrete random variable because its possible values are 0, 1, or 2, and so on.

3. Let Z = number of defective light bulbs among the randomly selected light bulbs.
This is a discrete random variable because the number of defective light bulbs,
which X can assume, are 0, 1, 2, and so on.

4. Let X = number of women randomly selected in a political rally. This is a discrete

random variable because its possible values are 0. 1. or 2, and so on.

A continuous random variable can assume an infinite number of values in an interval

between two specific values. This means they can assume values that can be represented
not only by nonnegative whole numbers but also by fractions and decimals. These values
are often results of measurement.

The following are examples of continuous random variables:

1. Let Y = the weights in kilograms of randomly selected students. This is a continuous

random variable because its values can be between any two given weights. Also,
weights are measured using a weighing scale. The weight of a student for example
can be 60.5 kg but due to limits of measuring devices, the measurement is always
an approximate. The weights of students can range from 60 to 61 kg including all
the decimal places that come between these two values.

2. Let X = the lengths in centimeters of randomly selected shoes of senior students.

The lengths-of shoes of the students can be between any two given lengths. The
values can be obtained by using a measuring device, a ruler. Hence, the random
variable Y is a continuous random variable.

3. Let Z = the hourly temperatures last Sunday. Z is a continuous random variable

because its values can be between any two given temperatures resulting from the
use of a thermometer.

4. Let Y = the heights of daisy plants in the backyard. This is continuous random
variable because its possible values can be between any two given heights
resulting from the use of a measuring tool, a yardstick.
Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.
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Example 1: Determine if the random variable X or Y is discrete or continuous

a. X = number of points scored in the last season by a randomly selected basketball

player in the PBA

b. Y=the height in centimeter of a randomly selected student inside the library

c. X=number of birds in a nest

d. Y=the weights in kg of randomly selected dancers after taking up aerobics

Answers:
a. This is a discrete random variable because its possible values are 0, 1, or 2, and so
on.

b. This is a continuous random variable because it can assume any value between two
given heights such as 167.64 cm.

c. This is a discrete random variable because its possible values are 0, 1, or 2, and so on.

d. This is a continuous random variable because it can assume any value including all
decimal values that are between two given weights. After taking up aerobics, the
weight of one of the dancers could be 56.9 kg.

A listing of all possible values of a discrete random variable along with their
corresponding probabilities is called a discrete probability distribution. The discrete probability
distribution can be presented in tabular, graphical, or formula form.

The following properties must be satisfied before a distribution can be considered a

discrete probability distribution:

a. The probability of each value of a discrete random variable is between 0 and 1

inclusive.
0<P(x) <1

b. The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

Σ P(x) = 1
Example 2. Consider the table below.

x 0 1 2 3
P(x) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2

In the table, the random variable X assumes the values 0, 1, 2, and 3. The
corresponding probabilities of these values are 0.2, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.2, respectively. These

Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.

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corresponding probabilities are each less than 1 but greater than 0 and when added, the sum
is 1.
Σ P(x) = 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.2
=1

Example 3. The given spinner is divided into four sections. Let X be the score where the
arrow will stop (numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4, in the drawing below).

a. Find the probability that the arrow will stop at 1, 2, 3, and 4.

b. Construct the discrete probability distribution of the random variable X

Solution:
Let X = score on the spinner
The probability that the arrow will stop at any of the 4 divisions is 1 out of 4 or ¼.
Hence, the probability of landing on 1 is 1 out of 4 or ¼. The probability of landing on 2 is 1
out of 4 or ¼. The probability of landing on 3 is 1 out of 4 or and the probability of 4 landing
on 4 is also 1 out of 4 or ¼. These probabilities are shown below.

a. P(1)= ¼ P(2)= ¼
P(3)= ¼ P(4) = ¼

b. A table similar to the following can be constructed to show the values assumed by
the discrete random variable X and is corresponding probabilities. The discrete
probability distribution is presented in tabular form below.

x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4

The first property 0<P(x) <1 is met. Each of the probabilities is greater than 0 but less
than 1.

The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

Σ P(x) = P(1) + P(2) + P(3) + P(4)
=¼+¼+¼+¼
=1

Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.

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The two requirements for a discrete probability distribution are satisfied. Therefore,
the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.
Example 4:
The spinner below is divided into eight sections. Let X be the score where the arrow
will stop (numbered as 1, 2, 3, 4, in the drawing below).

a. Find the probability that the arrow will stop at 1, 2, 3, and 4.

b. Construct the discrete probability distribution of the random variable X.

Solution:
Let X = score on the spinner.
The probability that the arrow will stop at 1 is 2 out of 8 because there are two 1s. The
probability that the arrow will stop at 2 is 1 out of 8 because there is only one 2 in the eight
possible scores. The probability that the arrow will stop at 3 is 2 out of 8 because there are
two 3s and the probability that the arrow will stop at 4 is 3 out of 8, because there are three
4s. All these probabilities are shown below.

a. P(1)= 2/8 = ¼ P(2)= 1/8

P(3)= 2/8 = ¼ P(4) = 3/8

b. The discrete probability distribution (in tabular form) is shown below:

x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 1/4 1/8 1/4 1/8

The first property 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1 is met. Each of the probabilities is greater than 0 but less
than 1.

The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

Σ P(x) = P(1) + P(2) + P(3) + P(4)
= ¼ + 1/8 + ¼ + 3/8
=1

Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.

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The two requirements for a discrete probability distribution are satisfied. Therefore, the
distribution is a discrete probability distribution.

Example 5:
When two fair dice are thrown simultaneously, the following are the possible outcomes.

We define the random variable X as the sum of the two outcomes in throwing the two
fair dice simultaneously. The possible values are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

The probabilities of each of the possible values P(x) are given below

P(2) = P(1, 1) = 1/36

P(3) = P(1, 2) + P(2, 1) = 2/36 = 1/18

P(4) = P(1, 3) + P(2, 2) + P(3, 1) = 3/36 = 1/12

P(5) = P(1, 4) + P(2, 3) + P(3, 2) + P(4, 1) = 4/36 = 1/9

P(6) = P(1, 5) + P(2, 4) + P(3, 3) + P(4, 2) + P(5, 1) = 5/36

P(7) = P(1, 6) + P(2, 5) + P(3, 4) + P(4, 3) + P(5, 2) + P(6, 1) = 6/36 = 1/6

P(8) = P(2, 6) + P(3, 5) + P(4, 5) + P(5, 4) + P(6, 3) = 5/36

P(9) = P(3, 6) + P(4, 5) + P(5, 4) + P(6, 3) = 4/36 = 1/9

P(10) = P(4, 6) + P(5, 5) + P(6, 4) = 3/36 = 1/12

P(11) = P(5, 6) + P(6, 5) = 2/36 = 1/18

P(12) = P(6, 6) = 1/36

The discrete probability distribution (in tabular form) is given below.

Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.

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The first property 0 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1 is met.

The sum of all the probabilities is 1 so, the second property is also met.

Therefore, the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.

Example 6:
Toss a fair coin twice and let X be the number of heads (H) observed.

Construct the discrete probability distribution of X.

x 0 1 2
P(x) 1/4 1/2 1/4

The first property 0 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1 is met.

The sum of all the probabilities is 1 so, the second property is also met.
Σ P(x) = P(0) + P(1) + P(2)
= ¼ + 1/2 + ¼
=1

Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.

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Therefore, the distribution is a discrete probability distribution.

The discrete probability distribution can be graphed to form a probability histogram. The
values of the discrete random variable X are set on the horizontal axis of the graph and the .

The probability histogram of Example 6 is shown below

Example 7:
A discrete random variable X has the following probability distribution as follows:
x 0 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.1 0.2 ? 0.2 0.2

a. Determine P(2)
Solution:

Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.

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The probability histogram of Example 7 is shown below

Example 8:
A random variable X has the following probability distribution as follows:
x 1 2 3 4
P(x) 0.21 29c 0.29 0.21

a. Determine c.

Solution:
Use the second property of discrete probability distribution to determine P(2).

Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.

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Learning Task 1

Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.

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Reference: Next Century Mathematics: Statistics and Probability by Fernando B. Orines.