Learning Guide Module

Subject Code Stat1 Introduction to Statistics

Module Code 18.0 Random Variable and its Probability Distribution, Part 2
Lesson Code 18.1 Binomial Random Variable and its Distribution
Time Limit 30 mins.

TARGET
At the end of this lesson, the learner is expected to:
✓ identify if the distribution of a discrete random variable can be modeled by a binomial
distribution;
✓ find probabilities of a binomial random variable using technology; and
✓ compute the expected value and standard deviation of a binomial random variable.

HOOK
The lessons in this quarter so far deal with concepts and rules on
probability, and methods and formulas on how to compute for
probabilities of certain events. Specifically, you were able to learn from last
lesson about a random variable and a probability distribution. Recall from
the first quarter that variables can be classified as discrete or continuous.
With this, we can also classify the probability distribution whether as
discrete or continuous. An example of a continuous probability distribution
is the normal distribution discussed during the first quarter. For this week,
we will be looking into one of most common type of discrete probability
distribution – the Binomial Distribution. https://sneakpeektest.com

By now, you are already aware of what we call

probability experiments like tossing a coin, rolling a die, or
drawing from a deck of cards. But did you know that we
also have what we call binomial experiments? The images
on this section display some examples that is related to a
binomial experiment. We will learn in this lesson what
makes a binomial experiment and how other probability
experiments can be treated as a binomial experiment.
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Furthermore, you will learn how to find probabilities of binomial distribution using technology
and compute for the expected value and standard deviation of a binomial random variable.

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 IGNITE
Based on the images above, what are your observations on the number of outcomes for each
event? There are only two possible outcomes! We have boy or girl, heads or tails, win or lose,
and true or false. Having two outcomes is one of the unique properties of a binomial experiment.
How about a multiple-choice question? Can this be considered as a binomial experiment? Yes!
Because even though you have four or five choices, these choices can be classified as either correct or
incorrect. This implies that other situations or probability experiments can be reduced to having two
outcomes, one considered a success and the other, a failure. Take note that a success on a given binomial
experiment does not necessarily mean something positive or good happened. The success depends on
which outcome you are trying to measure in the given binomial experiment, while failure is just the
outcome that did/will not happen.
By definition, a binomial experiment is a probability experiment that satisfies the following
four requirements:
1. The number of trials must be fixed.
2. There should only be two outcomes on each trial, or the outcomes can be reduced to two outcomes
(either success or failure).
3. The outcomes of each trial must be independent of one another.
4. The probability of a success must not change for each trial.

Here are other examples of binomial experiments:

✓ Rolling a six-sided die and getting an even number

✓ Drawing a card from deck with replacement and recording whether it is a red or black card.
✓ Asking 10 randomly selected students from each section and ask whether they wear mask outside
their homes or not.
✓ Recording body temperature of mall visitors as normal or not.
✓ Selecting 50 Pisay students and recording whether they are SYP or non-SYP student.

A binomial distribution is made of the outcomes of a binomial

experiment and its corresponding probabilities. The following are
common notations used in creating a binomial distribution:
𝑃(𝑆) the probability of success
𝑃(𝐹) the probability of failure
𝑝 numerical probability of a success
𝑞 numerical probability of a failure
𝑃(𝑆) = 𝑝 and 𝑃(𝐹) = 1 − 𝑝 = 𝑞
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𝑛 number of trials
𝑋 number of successes in 𝑛 trials

Take note that 𝑋 is any whole number between 0 and 𝑛 (i.e., 0 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 𝑛, 𝑋 ∈ 𝑊).

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 The formula for getting the probability of exactly 𝑋 successes in 𝑛 trials is given below for your
information. However, since it involves concepts not yet discussed such as factorial notation and
combinatorics, we will not be going over the specifics of the formula. Instead, we will be making use
of technology in finding for binomial probabilities.
𝑛!
𝑃(𝑋) = ∙ 𝑝 𝑋 ∙ 𝑞 𝑛−𝑋
(𝑛 − 𝑋)! 𝑋!
Let us now proceed to finding probabilities of a binomial random variable using technology.
Particularly, we will be discussing the use of MS Excel to demonstrate how we can find binomial
probabilities. Let us work on some examples.

Example 1: A coin is tossed three times. What is the probability of getting exactly two heads?
Note: We can find the answer to this question by enumerating the sample space of the given
experiment. Since there are two possible outcomes and the coin was tossed three times,
the number of possible outcomes is 23 = 8. The sample space will be:
HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT
From here, we can see that getting two heads can occur three times: HHT, HTH, THH.
Therefore, the answer is 3⁄8 or 0.375.

Solution: Now how can we use the binomial distribution to give us the same answer? First, let us
identify the given from the problem. Take note that success on this problem is obtaining
a head as a result.
𝑛 = 3, the number of trials (number of times the coin was tossed)
1
𝑝 = 2 or 0.5, the probability of success (probability of getting a head for each toss)

𝑋 = 2, the number of successes in 𝑛 trials (number of heads to appear in three tosses)

In MS Excel, we will utilize the = 𝐵𝐼𝑁𝑂𝑀. 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇 (or = 𝐵𝐼𝑁𝑂𝑀𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇 for older
versions of the software) to compute for the probability. The functions require us to
input four arguments:
Number_s is the number of success in trials (i.e., 𝑋).
Trials is the number of independent trials (i.e., 𝑛).
Probability_s is the probability of success on each trial (i.e., 𝑝)
Cumulative is a logical value; if we are only looking at the exact probability of 𝑋, we
use FALSE on this argument. If we want to get the cumulative probability of the
distribution, we use TRUE.
Typing in the given on the problem to the arguments of the function, we get
= 𝐵𝐼𝑁𝑂𝑀. 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇(2,3,0.5, 𝐹𝐴𝐿𝑆𝐸)
= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟕𝟓

The answer is 0.375 or 37.50%. This is the same value we got from manually
enumerating the sample space and counting the outcomes with two heads.

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Alternatively, you can avoid typing the formula every time by using the Formulas tab
in the Menu bar. The steps are as follows:

1. In MS Excel, go to Formulas tab.

2. Select More Functions.

3. Choose Statistical → BINOM.DIST

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A window will pop-out where you will input the arguments of the function.

4. Input the arguments from the given problem then press OK to get the results.

The result given will be 0.375 or 37.50%.

Example 2: A school survey found that one out of five high school students missed a deadline of
submission in any given month. If 10 students are randomly selected, what is the
probability that exactly 3 students have missed a deadline of submission last month?
Solution: The success in this problem is missing a deadline of submission. In this case, we have
the following given:
1
𝑛 = 10, 𝑋 = 3, and 𝑝 = 5 𝑜𝑟 0.2

Plugging these values to the = 𝐵𝐼𝑁𝑂𝑀. 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇 function, we get

= 𝐵𝐼𝑁𝑂𝑀. 𝐷𝐼𝑆𝑇(3,10,0.2, 𝐹𝐴𝐿𝑆𝐸)
= 𝟎. 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑
Hence, 𝑃(𝑋 = 3) = 0.2013 = 20.13%.

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 For the alternative method using the Formulas tab, follow steps 1 to 4 enumerated
above, then input the arguments from the given problem on each field. The window
should look like this:

Press OK and you will arrive with the same results. Therefore, there is 0.2013 or
20.13% probability that in a random sample of 10 students, exactly 3 of them missed
a deadline of submission last month.

We will continue our discussion with more examples of finding probabilities using the binomial
distribution on our next learning guide.

References:
1. Bluman, A.G. (2014). Elementary Statistics: A step by step approach (9th Edition). Mc-Graw Hill
2. De Veaux, R.D., Velleman, P.F., & Bock, D.E. (2014). Intro stats (New International Edition).
Great Britain: Pearson Education Limited
3. De Veaux, R.D., Velleman, P.F., & Bock, D.E. (2012). Stats data and models (3rd Edition). United
States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.
4. Retrieved from https://kami.com.ph/91183-toss-coin-gagawin-sa-palawan-upang-makapili-ng-
tatanghaling-mayor.html
5. Retrieved from https://sneakpeektest.com/uk/blog/what-is-a-gender-reveal-party/
6. Retrieved from https://www.cricketbettingtipsfree.net/tips/win-or-lose-a-part-of-game-jsk-
tips9499345
7. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-games/true-or-false
8. Retrieved from https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/wisdom-why-failing-is-good

Prepared by: Mark Louvelle Parulan Reviewed by: Myrna B Libutaque

Position: SST I Position: SST V
Campus: PSHS – MC Campus: PSHS – WVC

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