The following are examples of discrete random

Statistics and Probability variables:

Statistics is the science of conducting studies to collect,
organize, summarize, analyze, and draw conclusions 1. X =¿ the number of defective light bulbs
from data. among the randomly selected light bulbs

A population consists of all subjects that are being 2. Y =¿ the number of palagsings in a bunch at
studied. the randomly selected stores in Butuan City

A sample is a group of subjects selected from a 3. Z=¿ the number of students each day who
population make appointments with a math tutor at
Agusan National High School
An experiment is any activity, which can be done
repeatedly under similar conditions. The following are examples of continuous random
variables:
A sample space is the list of all possible outcomes of an
experiment. 1. X =¿ the heights of randomly selected Grade
11 STEM students
There are many ways on how to systematically list the
possible outcomes of a given experiment. 2. Y =¿ the relative humidity levels in operating
rooms at local Hospitals in Agusan del Norte
X =¿ the number of heads from a coin tossed 3 times
3. Z=¿ the blood pressures of randomly selected
ANHS Senior High School teachers

Random Variables (Application)

1. Suppose three cellphones are tested at

random. Let X be the random variable
representing the number of defective
cellphones. List all the possible outcomes
and identify the values of the random
In this example, the possible values of X are 0 , 1, 2 or 3 variable X .
. 2. Two balls are drawn in succession without
replacement from an urn containing 5 red
A random variable is a variable whose possible values
balls and 6 blue balls. Let Y be the random
are determined by chance.
variable representing the number of blue
A random variable is typically represented by an balls. List all the possible outcomes and find
uppercase letter, usually X , while its corresponding the values of the random variable Y .
lowercase represents one of its values.
3. Suppose a die is rolled. Let Z be the random
Variables can be broadly classified as either qualitative variable representing the number of dots
or quantitative. shown on the top face. List all the possible
outcomes and give the values of the
Qualitative variables are variables that can be placed random variable Z .
into distinct categories, according to some characteristic
or attribute. R1B1 R2B2 R3B3 R4B4

Quantitative variables are numerical and can be R5B5 R1R2 R3R4 R5B6
ordered or ranked.
B1B2 B3B4 B5B6
Quantitative variables can be further classified into
A discrete probability distribution consists of the values
discrete and continuous.
of a random variables can assume and their
Discrete random variables are those data that can be corresponding probabilities.
counted. These variables can only take finite number of
Two requirements for a discrete probability
distinct values.
distribution:
Continuous random variables can assume an infinite
1. The probability of each value of a discrete
number of values between any two specific values. They
random variable is between 0 and 1 inclusive.
are obtained by measuring.
That is, 0 ≤ P ( x ) ≤1.

2. The sum of all probabilities is 1. That is,

∑ P ( x ) =1.

Defective cell phones experiment

x 0 1 2 3
P( x ) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
 1
Drawing two balls
y
P( y )
0
2/11
1
6 /11
2
3/11
is
{
f ( x )= 8
3
8
, if x=0,3

, if x=1,2
and its corresponding histogram

Rolling a die
z 1 2 3 4 5 6
P(z ) 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6

For a discrete random variable X with possible values

x 1 , x 2 , x 3 ,… , x n, a probability mass function f ( x i ) is a
function such that

1. f ( xi) ≥ 0
n
2. ∑ f ( x i )=1
i=1
1. From example 1, compute P ( X=1 ) , P ( x ≤ 2 )
3. P ( X =xi ) =f ( xi ) and P ( x> 0 )
Solution:
Example 1. Suppose a random variable X can only take 1
the four values 0 , 1, 2, and 3. If each value has equal • P ( 1 )=
4
probability, then what is its probability mass function? • P ( X ≤2 ) =P ( 0 )+ P ( 1 ) + P ( 2 )
Construct its histogram. 1 1 1 3
¿ + + =
4 4 4 4
Solution: • P ( X >0 )=P (1 ) + P ( 2 ) + P (3 )
Probability distribution of X :
1 1 1 3
x 0 1 2 3 ¿ + + =
4 4 4 4
P( x ) 1/4 1¿ 4 1¿ 4 1/4 2. From example 2, compute the probability that
Hence, the pmf is given by the number of heads tossed is:
a. equal to 2
1 b. at least 2
f ( x )= for x=0,1,2,3
4 c. greater than 0 but less than or
equal to 3
and its corresponding histogram is Solution:
3
• P ( X=2 )=
8
• P ( X ≥2 ) =P ( 2 ) + P(3)
3 1 4 1
¿ + = =
8 8 8 2
• P ( 0< X ≤ 3 )=P ( 1 ) + P ( 2 ) + P ( 3 )
3 3 1 7
¿ + + =
8 8 8 8
54ewaswszTest I. Complete the discrete
probability distribution.

a. x 0 1 2 3 4
2. Suppose a fair coin is tossed 3 times. Let X be P( x ) 0.05 0.25 0.4 ? 0.06
the random variable representing the number
of heads tossed. Construct the probability mass b.
function of random variable X . Show the pmf x 1 2 3 4 5
graphically.
P( x ) 2/15 1/5 4 /15 1/3 ?
Solution:
c.
Probability distribution of X : x 1 2 3 4 5
x 0 1 2 3 P( x ) 2/25 ? 0.24 2/5 0.16
P( x ) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
Hence, the pmf is given by Test II. Suppose two fair dice are thrown
simultaneously. Let X be the random variable
 representing the sum of the number of dots of the two
dice.
a. Construct the discrete probability distribution of X
b. Find the probability mass function and
construct its histogram
c. Compute:

P ( 9 ), P ( 4 ≤ X < 9 ) and P ( X ≤3∨X >10 )