CAPITOL UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Senior High School Department

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

MODULE 3: RANDOM VARIABLES &

PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
LESSON 1: EXPLORING RANDOM VARIABLES
& CONSTRUCTING PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTIONS

OBJECTIVES:

In this module, you will be able to:

 Illustrate a random variable;
 classify random variables as discrete or continuous;
 find the possible values of a random variable;
 illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties;
 compute probabilities corresponding to a given random variable; and
 construct the probability mass function of a discrete random variable and its
corresponding histogram.

EXPLORING RANDOM VARIABLES

RANDOM VARIABLE

A 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 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.

A random variable is a CONTINUOUS RANDOM VARIABLE if it takes on values

on continuous scale. Often, continuous random variables represent measured data,

such as heights, weights, and temperatures.

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 one 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 random variable are 0, 1, 2 and 3.

SOLUTION:

Steps Solution
1. Determine the sample space. Let D The sample space for this experiment is:
represent defective cell phone and N S = {NNN, NND, NDN, DNN, NDD, DND,
represent the non-defective cell DDN,DDD }
phone.

2. Count the number of defective cell Value of the

phones in each outcome in the Random Variable X
sample space and assign this number Possible Outcome (number of
to this outcome. defective cell
phones)

NNN 0

NND 1

NDN 1

DNN 1

NDD 2

DND 2

DDN 2

DDD 3

So, the possible values of the random variable X are 0, 1, 2, and 3.

EXAMPLE 2

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 Y.

SOLUTION:

Steps Solution
1. Determine the sample space. Let H The sample space for this experiment is:
represent head and T represent tail. S = {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, HHT, HTH, THH,
HHH}

2. Count the number of tails in each Value of the

outcome in the sample space and Possible Outcome Random Variable Y
assign this number to this outcome. (number of tails)

TTT 3

TTH 2

THT 2

HTT 2

HHT 1

HTH 1

THH 1

HHH 0

So, the possible values of the random variable Y are 0, 1, 2, and 3.

 The random variables in the preceding examples are called DISCRETE RANDOM

VARIABLES because the set of possible outcomes is countable.

 Suppose an experiment is conducted to determine the distance that a certain type of
car will travel using 10 liters of gasoline over a prescribed test course. If distance is a
random variable, then we have an infinite number of distances that cannot be equated
to the number of whole numbers. This is an example of a CONTINUOUS RANDOM

VARIABLE.
 CONSTRUCTING PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS

A probability distribution, also known as PROBABILITY MASS FUNCTION, is a

table that gives a list of probability values along with their associated value in the
range of a discrete random variable. It consists of the values a random variable can
assume and the corresponding probabilities of the values.

EXAMPLE 1

Suppose three coins are tossed. Let Y be the random variable representing the
number of tails that occur. Find the probability of each of the values of the random
variable Y.

SOLUTION:

STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. Let H The sample space for this experiment is:
represent head and T represent tail. S = {TTT, TTH, THT, HTT, HHT, HTH, THH, HHH}

Possible Value of Random

Outcomes Variable Y
(number of tails)
TTT 3
TTH 2
2. Count the number of tails in each outcome THT 2
in the sample space and assign this number to
HTT 2
this outcome.
HHT 1
HTH 1
THH 1
HHH 0

3. There are four possible values of the random

variable Y representing the number of tails. These are
0, 1, 2, and 3. Assign probability values P(Y) to each
value of the random variable. Number of Tails
Probability P(Y)
 There are 8 possible outcomes and no tail Y
occurs once, so the probability that we shall
assign to the random variable 0 is . 0
 There are 8 possible outcomes and 1 tail occurs
three times, so the probability that we shall
1
assign to the random variable 1 is .
 There are 8 possible outcomes and 2 tails occur
three times, so the probability that we shall 2
assign to the random variable 2 is .
 There are 8 possible outcomes and 3 tails occur 3
once, so the probability that we shall assign to
the random variable 3 is .
 Table 1.1. The Probability Distribution or the Probability Mass Function
of Discrete Random Variable Y

Number of Tails Y 0 1 2 3

Probability P(Y)

EXAMPLE 2

Suppose three cell phones are tested at random. Let D represent the defective cell
phone and let N represent the non-defective cell phone. If we let X be the random
variable for the number of defective cell phones, construct the probability
distribution of the random variable X.

SOLUTION:

STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample space. Let D represent The sample space for this experiment is
the defective cell phone and N represent the S = {NNN, NND, NDN, DNN, NDD,DND, DDN,
non-defective cell phone. DDD}
Value of the Random
Variable X
Possible Outcomes (number of defective cell
phones)
NNN 0
2. Count the number of defective cell phones in NND 1
each outcome in the sample space and assign NDN 1
this number to this outcome. DNN 1
NDD 2
DND 2
DDN 2
DDD 3
3. There are four possible values of the random variable
X representing the number of defective cell phones.
These are 0, 1, 2, and 3. Assign probability values P(X),
to each value of the random variable. Number of Defective
Probability P(X)
 There are 8 possible outcomes and no defective Cell Phones X
cell phone occurs once, so the probability that
we shall assign to the random variable 0 is . 0
 There are 8 possible outcomes and 1 defective
cell phone occurs three times, so the probability
that we shall assign to the random variable 1 is 1
.
 There are 8 possible outcomes and 2 defective 2
cell phones occur three times, so the probability
that we shall assign to the random variable 2 is
. 3
 There are 8 possible outcomes and 3 defective
cell phones occur once, so the probability that
we shall assign to the random variable 3 is .
 Table 1.2. The Probability Distribution or the Probability Mass Function
of Discrete Random Variable X

Number of
Defective Cell 0 1 2 3
phones X

Probability P(X)