Scribd
Upload
12 views

Random Variables and Probability Distributions Notes

Ghnh

Uploaded by

Jyrus Quim Cruspero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views

Random Variables and Probability Distributions Notes

Ghnh

Uploaded by

Jyrus Quim Cruspero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Lesson: Random Variables and Probability Distributions

Introduction
In the study of statistics and probability, random variables and their probability distributions are fundamental
concepts. They allow us to model and analyze real-world phenomena where outcomes are uncertain. This lesson will
guide you through understanding random variables, distinguishing between their types, and exploring how to work with
their probability distributions.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous).
2. Distinguish between a discrete and a continuous random variable.
3. Find the possible values of a random variable.
4. Illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties.
5. Construct the probability mass function of a discrete random variable and its corresponding histogram.
6. Compute probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.
7. Illustrate the mean and variance of a discrete random variable.
8. Calculate the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.
9. Interpret the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.
10. Solve problems involving mean and variance of probability distributions.

1. Random Variables: Discrete and Continuous


What is a Random Variable?
A random variable is a function that assigns numerical values to each outcome in a sample space of a random
experiment.
 Example: When flipping a coin three times, the number of heads obtained is a random variable.
Discrete Random Variables
A discrete random variable takes on a countable number of distinct values.
 Examples:
o Number of students absent in a class on a given day.
o Number of cars passing through an intersection in an hour.
Continuous Random Variables
A continuous random variable can take on any value within an interval or collection of intervals.
 Examples:
o The exact height of students in a class.
o The time it takes to run a marathon.

2. Distinguishing Between Discrete and Continuous Random Variables


Key Differences
 Discrete Random Variables:
o Countable outcomes.
o Values are usually integers.
o Examples: Number of customers, number of defective items.
 Continuous Random Variables:
o Uncountable outcomes within intervals.
o Values are real numbers.
o Examples: Temperature, weight, time.
Practice Identifying Types
 Question: Is the amount of rainfall in a day discrete or continuous?
o Answer: Continuous, because rainfall can be any non-negative real number.

3. Finding Possible Values of a Random Variable


To find the possible values:
 List all outcomes of the experiment.
 Assign numerical values to each outcome based on the random variable definition.
Example
Experiment: Rolling a fair six-sided die.
 Random Variable X: The number showing on the die.
 Possible Values: X={1,2,3,4,5,6}

4. Probability Distribution for a Discrete Random Variable


A probability distribution lists all possible values of a discrete random variable along with their corresponding
probabilities.
Properties
 Sum of Probabilities: The sum of all probabilities equals 1.
 Probability Range: Each probability is between 0 and 1 inclusive.

5. Constructing the Probability Mass Function and Histogram


Probability Mass Function (PMF)
The PMF of a discrete random variable X is a function that gives the probability that X is exactly equal to some value x.
Steps to Construct PMF
1. List all possible values of X.
2. Calculate probabilities for each value.
Example PMF
Using the previous example:
Constructing a Histogram
 X-Axis: Possible values of X.
 Y-Axis: Corresponding probabilities.
 Bars: Height represents P(X=x).

6. Computing Probabilities Corresponding to a Given Random Variable


To compute probabilities:
 Use the PMF for discrete random variables.
 For continuous random variables, use the probability density function (PDF) and integrate over the desired
interval.
Example
Question: What is the probability of getting at least one head when flipping two coins?

9. Interpreting the Mean and Variance


 Mean: Represents the average or expected value of the random variable over many trials.
o Interpretation: On average, when flipping two coins, we expect to get 1 head.
 Variance: Indicates how much the values of the random variable vary from the mean.
o Interpretation: A variance of 0.5 shows moderate variability in the number of heads obtained.
10. Solving Problems Involving Mean and Variance
Problem Example
Problem: A game involves rolling a fair die. You win $10 if a 6 appears and lose $5 if any other number appears. What is
the expected gain per roll?

Summary
 Random Variables can be discrete or continuous.
 Discrete Random Variables have countable outcomes; Continuous Random Variables have uncountable
outcomes within intervals.
 Probability Distributions assign probabilities to each possible value.
 Mean gives the expected value; Variance measures the spread.
 Problem Solving involves applying these concepts to compute expected outcomes and variability.
Exercises
1. Identify whether the following are discrete or continuous random variables:
o a) The number of emails received in a day.
o b) The time it takes to complete a test.
2. Construct the probability distribution for the sum when rolling two fair dice.
3. Calculate the mean and variance for the random variable in exercise 2.
4. Interpret the results from exercise 3.

Answers to Exercises
1. a) Discrete, b) Continuous.
2. Possible Sums and Probabilities:

You might also like