STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

MODULE 1:
Random Variables and
Probability Distribution
Content Course Competencies
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous).
2. Illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its
properties.
3. Compute probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.
4. Illustrate the mean and variance of a discrete random variable.
5. Calculate the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.
6. Interpret the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.
7. Solve problems involving mean and variance of probability distributions.

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Lifted from https://datatab.net/tutorial/descriptive-inferential-statistics

Introduction:
Before we discuss random variables and probability distribution, let us look at the meaning
and applications of inferential statistics.

In life, there is full of uncertainties. For example, no one knows you get a high score in your
examination, or we can never be sure if a sports team will win their next game. However,
we can plan our daily activities by making inferences about the future.

These inferences are usually made based on gathered data about the situation. For
example, we cannot know if it will rain an hour from now, but we can decide to bring an
umbrella if it is cloudy or there is a looming thunderstorm report.

Case Study:
You found out by gathering data that six out of 10 senior high school students in a city
prefer online classes than face to face classes. How do you use this data in determining
future outcomes?
➢ In this case study, we can use inferential statistics to determine future outcomes.
➢ All the situations above are what we deal with in inferential statistics.

Inferential Statistics:
➢ Refers to the techniques of interpreting values resulting from obtained sample data
to draw conclusions or make inferences about the population.
➢ In inferential statistics, we analyze what we know about the object of our study in
determining the likelihood of an event happening in the future.

Applications of Inferential Statistics:

There are many uses or applications of inferential statistics.
For example:
- Baseball teams use data collected from past games to determine the situations that
will give them the highest chance to win.
- Insurance companies analyze data collected from past incidents to determine how
much they will charge their clients.

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Definition of Terms
Population
- Refers to the group being studied.
- Refers to the collection of people, objects, individuals, or scores that can be
described as having a unique combination of qualities. More precisely, a population
consists of numerical values associated with objects or individuals.
Parameter
- A summary measure calculated on an entire population data; it quantifies the
characteristic of the population under investigation.
- Data collected out of a population is called parametric data.
Sample
- A part of a population;
- A collection of some elements in a population and it is representative of the entire
population
Statistic
- A summary measure or value calculated on sample data; it quantifies the
characteristic of the sample, which represents the population.
- Data gathered from a sample is called statistical data or statistic.
Variable
- Is any property or characteristic of interest about each individual unit of a
population or of a sample- it is an important aspect of a hypothesis. Some examples
of variables are: age, sex, civil status, work experience and so on.
Data
- Could be referred to as the raw material of statistics. It is a set of values collected for
the variable from each of the elements of the sample. It could also be a set of
obtained measurements from the subjects of an experiment.

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Unit 1:
Exploring Random Variables and
Constructing Probability
Distributions

Lesson Objectives: At the end of this unit, you are expected to:

1. Illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous).

2. Illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its
properties.
3. Compute probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.

Lifted from https://www.edx.org/course/probability-distribution-models-continuous-random

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Lifted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_variable

This unit will explain the concept of random variables and probability distribution.
Together, we will learn how to construct the probability mass function of a discrete
probability distribution. Moreover, we will describe its properties and characteristics by
computing its mean and variance.

What comes to your mind when you

hear the word “Random Variable?”

In rolling a die, how many possible

outcomes does it have?

Lifted from https://www.kindpng.com/imgv/TmToTb_nios-en-la-escuela-school-high-school-boy/

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.

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Types of Random Variable

Discrete Random Variable has

countable number of possible Continuous Random Variable is
values. The possible outcomes of an obtained from data that can take
experiment are countable. Mostly, infinitely many values. It takes on
discrete random variables values on a continuous scale. Often,
represent count data, examples are continuous random variables
the number of defective chairs represent measured data, examples
produced in a factory, number of are heights, weights, and
students in a class, and so on. temperatures.

Exercise 1: Identify which of the following represent continuous variables and which
represent discrete variables:

1. The number of times your mother visited her dentist last year.
2. Reaction time of the subjects in an experiment.
3. Age of the subjects in an experiment.
4. Height of the grade 11 students in your school.
5. Life span of a sample of batteries.
6. Time of the day.
7. Speed of a sports car in a race.
8. Number of words you can encode in 2 minutes.
9. How many kinds of candies have you eaten last week?
10. Number of female students in your statistics class.

Reflect on this:
How do you know whether a random variable is continuous or discrete?

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Definition of Terms:

Sample Space:
- the set of all possible outcomes of an experiment and represented by the symbol S
- also refers as the population
Sample Point:
- each of the possible outcomes of the sample space
Variable:
- A characteristic or attribute that can assume different values. We use capital letters
to denote or represent a variable.

Exercise 2:
1. List the sample space of the experiment below:

Tree Diagram For Three-Child Families

2. List the elements of each of the following sample spaces:

a. The set of integers between 1 and 50 divisible by 8.
b. The set 𝑆 = {𝑥|𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5 = 0}
c. The set 𝑆 = {𝑥|2𝑥 − 4 < 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 > 1}

3. List the elements of the sets corresponding to the following events given the
following sets: A= {0, 2, 4, 6, 8} B= {2, 3, 4, 5}
a. 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 (∩ means intersection)
b. 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 (∪ means union)

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4. How many sample points are in the sample space when a pair of dice is thrown
once?
Solution: 1st die→𝑛1 = 6 2nd die→𝑛2 = 6 Therefore (𝑛1 )(𝑛2 ) =?

5. List the sample space of the following experiments and the number of elements in
the sample space.
a. Drawing a card greater that 7 from a deck of card
b. Drawing a spade from a deck of cards
c. Rolling a die and tossing a coin simultaneously
d. Tossing three coins

Probability Distribution
Refers to the arrangement of the values of a random variable and the
probabilities assigned to them.

Properties of a Probability Distribution

1. The probability of each value of the random variable must be between or equal to 0
and 1. In symbol, we write it as 0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑋) ≤ 1.
2. The sum of the probabilities of all values of the random variable must be equal to 1.
In symbol, we write it as ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) = 1

Constructing a Probability Distribution

Examples:
1. Suppose three coins are tossed. Let H be the random variable representing the
number of heads that occur. Find the probability of each of the values of the random
variable H.
Step 1.
Possible Values of the Sample Space S={HHH, HHT, HTH,THH, TTH, THT, HTT,
Outcomes Random TTT}
Variable H (#
of heads) There are 8 sample points in the sample space.
HHH 3
HHT 2 Questions:
HTH 2 1. What is the probability that 2 Heads and 1 tail
THH 2 occur at the same time?
TTH 1 Answer: 3/8
THT 1 2. What is the probability that a head doesn’t occur?
HTT 1 Answer: 1/8
TTT 0

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Step 2
There are four possible values of the random variable H representing the number of heads.
These are 0, 1, 2, and 3. Assign probability values P(H) to each value of the random
variable.

Number of Heads H Probability

P(H) Out of 8 outcomes, 0 or no heads occur only
1 once. So, the probability is 1/8 or 0.125.
0
8
1 head occurs three times. So, the probability
3
1 is 3/8 or 0.375.
8
3 2 heads came out thrice. So, the probability is
2 3/8 or 0.375.
8
1
3 Out of 8 outcomes, 3 heads occur once. So,
8
the probability is 1/8 or 0.125.

This is what we call “The Probability Distribution

or The Probability Mass Function” of Discrete
Random Variable H.

❖ As you notice, the probability of 0, 1, 2, and 3 is less than 1 but greater than 0. The sum
of the probabilities is 1. It does satisfy the properties of probability distribution.

❖ Remember, a probability can never be less than zero/ negative and can never be more
than 1.

Note: You can also write in this form:

Table 1: The Probability Distribution or The Probability Mass Function” of Discrete

Random Variable H.
Number of Heads H 0 1 2 3
Probability P(H) 1 3 3 1
8 8 8 8

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Histogram – a way of representing a probability distribution using vertical bars

placed side by side. The height of each bar represents the probability assigned
to a value of a random variable.

2. A cargo of five 55” televisions contains two that are slightly defective. If a store
receives three of these televisions at random, list the elements of the sample space S
using the letters D and N for defective and non-defective television, respectively. To
each sample point, assign a value of z of the random variable Z representing the
number of televisions bought by the store which are slightly defective.

Possible Value of the Random Variable Z

Outcomes (number of defective TV)
NNN 0
NND 1
NDN 1
DNN 1
DDN 2
DND 2
NDD 2
There are 7 elements in the sample space.

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Number of Defective Probability

TV P(Z)
1
0
7
3
1
7
3
2
7
∑ 𝑃(𝑍) 1

Table 2: “The Probability Distribution or The Probability Mass Function” of Discrete

Random Variable Z.

Number of Defective TV 0 1 2

1 3 3
Probability P(Z)
7 7 7

Questions:
1. What’s the probability of
getting all non-defective?
1
Answer: 7
2. What is the probability that
the store will get a defective
TV?
6
Answer: 7

3. A sari-sari store that sells bubble gums recorded how many bags of gum it sold per
customer. This record was used to create a probability distribution of the number of
bags of gum sold per customer.

Number of bags
sold per customer, 0 1 2 3 4
X
Probability, P(X) 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1

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In the example above, the random variable is the number of bags of gum the store
sold per customer. The sample space contains outcomes 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. This means
that 𝑃(0) = 0.1, 𝑃(1) = 0.4, 𝑃(2) = 0.2, 𝑃(3) = 0.2, 𝑃(4) = 0.1. You can also notice
that the sum of all the probabilities is equal to 1, and none of the probabilities is less
than 0 or greater than 1. Therefore, it satisfies the properties of a probability
distribution.

More examples of a random variable and probability distribution are given below.

Now, this time let us use an equation in answering an example.

𝑠
𝑃(𝑋) =
𝑛
Where:
𝑃(𝑋) = probability that an experiment will yield an X random variable
𝑠 = number of outcomes that will yield an X random variable
𝑛 = total number of outcomes

1. A raffle with 100 entries is drawn. Of the 100 entries, 20 are assigned to Robert, 28 to
David, and 52 are assigned to Peter. If a numerical value is assigned to each person so
that “0” is Robert, “1” is David, and “2” is Peter, create a probability distribution to
determine the probabilities assigned to 0, 1, and 2.
𝒔
First, solve for the probability assigned to each value by using 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝒏 .

20 𝟏
Solving for 𝑃(0) 𝑃(0) = 100 = 𝟓

28 𝟕
Solving for 𝑃(1) 𝑃(1) = 100 = 𝟐𝟓

52 𝟏𝟑
Solving for 𝑃(2) 𝑃(2) = 100 = 𝟐𝟓

➢ Once we have the probabilities, we can now illustrate the probability

distribution.

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

𝑋 0 1 2
𝑃(𝑋) 1 7 13
5 25 25

2. Blood groups are determined for a sample of people, and the results are given in the
accompanying table. If one person from this sample group is randomly chosen, find
the probability that the person had group AB blood.
Blood Group O A B AB Total
Frequency 90 75 35 18 218
𝑠
Solution: 𝑃(𝑋) = 𝑛
18 𝟗
𝑃(𝐴𝐵) = 218 = 𝟏𝟎𝟗
𝟗
So, the probability of choosing a person with AB blood is 𝟏𝟎𝟗.
Exercise 3:
A. Determine whether the distribution represents a probability distribution.
1.
𝑿 1 2 3 4 5
𝑷(𝑿) 1 1 1 1 1
4 4 4 4 4
Answer:
It doesn’t represent a probability distribution because the sum of all the probabilities
is more than one. [Or in symbol, No because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) > 1)]. And it doesn’t satisfy one
of the properties of probability distribution.
2.
𝑿 0 2 4 6 8
𝑷(𝑿) 1 3 1 1 1
8 8 4 8 8
Answer:
It does represent a probability distribution because the sum of all the probabilities is
equal to one. [Or in symbol, Yes because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) = 1)]. And it does satisfy all the
properties of probability distribution.
3.
𝑿 1 3 5 7
𝑷(𝑿) 1 3 7 1
5 5 5 5
Answer:
It doesn’t represent a probability distribution because the sum of all the probabilities
is more than one. [Or in symbol, No because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) > 1)]. In addition, the
probability of 5 is more than 1 (𝑃(5) > 1. And it doesn’t satisfy all the properties of
a probability distribution.

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B. Determine whether the given values can serve as the value of probability distribution
of the random variable X that can take on only the values 1, 2, and 3.

1. 𝑃(1) = 0.09, 𝑃(2) = 0.12, 𝑃(3) = 1.05

Answer: No, because the ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) > 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃(3) > 1 , those two do not satisfy the
properties of a probability distribution.
1 13 7
2. 𝑃(1) = 5 , 𝑃(2) = 25 , 𝑃(3) = 25
Answer: Yes, because it satisfies all the properties of a probability distribution.

3. 𝑃(1) = 0.25, 𝑃(2) = 0.35, 𝑃(3) = 0.20

Answer: No, because the ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) < 1 , which does not satisfy one of the properties of
probability distribution.

C. For each of the following, determine whether it can serve as the probability
distribution of a random variable X.
1
1. 𝑃(𝑋) = 6 for 𝑥 = 1, 2, 3, … ,8
1 1 1 4
Answer: 𝑃(1) = 6 , 𝑃(2) = 6 , …, 𝑃(8) = 6, if we get the sum, then we’ll get 3 which
is more than 1. So, the answer is no because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) > 1 .
12
2. 𝑃(𝑋) = 25𝑥 for 𝑥 = 1, 2, 3, 4
12
Answer: Plug in the values of x to 𝑃(𝑋) = 25𝑥 and get the sum.
12 12 12 12
➢ + 25(2) + 25(3) + 25(4) = 1, Yes, because it satisfies the properties of the
25(1)
probability of distribution.

D. Now let us see if you can still recall what you have learned from Junior High School.
Find the probability of the following events.

1. Getting an ace when a card is drawn from a deck of cards

2. Getting a sum of 11 when two dice are rolled
3. The probability that all children are girls if a couple has three children
4. Getting a black card and a 10 when a card is drawn from a deck
5. Getting a red ball from a box containing 3 red and 6 black balls
6. Getting an odd number in a single roll of a die
7. Getting a sum of 6 when two dice are rolled
8. Getting an even number and a tail when a die is rolled and a coin is tossed
simultaneously.
9. Getting doubles when two dice are rolled
10. Getting a red queen when a card is drawn from a deck

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Now it is your turn to practice and apply what you have learned from all the previous
examples. You can check your answers on the given key answers at the end of Module 1.

A. Determine whether the distribution represents a probability distribution.

1.
𝑿 1 2 3 4 5
𝑷(𝑿) 1 1 2 1 2
9 3 9 9 9
2.
𝑿 1 2 3 4 5
𝑷(𝑿) 2 1 1 1 4
15 5 3 5 15
3.
𝑿 1 2 3 4 5
𝑷(𝑿) 1 1 1 1 1
8 4 8 4 8

B. The probability of a college student making two, three, four, five, and six mistakes in
a 500- word essay is 0.15, 0.20, 0.10, 0.30, and 0.25, respectively. Illustrate the
probability distribution and the probability histogram of the random variable.

C. Determine whether the given values can serve as the value of probability distribution
of the random variable X that can take on only the values 1, 2, 3, and 4. Explain your
answer.
1 10 6 7
1. 𝑃(1) = 19 , 𝑃(2) = 19 , 𝑃(3) = 19 , 𝑃(4) = 19
1 3 1 1
2. 𝑃(1) = 8 , 𝑃(2) = 8 , 𝑃(3) = 4 , 𝑃(4) = 4
3. 𝑃(1) = 0.15 , 𝑃(2) = 0.25 , 𝑃(3) = 0.45 , 𝑃(4) = −0.15

D. Solve what is being asked.

The daily demand for copies of a comic book at a variety store has the probability
distribution below.
Number of Copies X Probability P(X)
0 0.03
1 0.04
2 0.06

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

3 0.07
4 0.08
5 0.10
6 0.12
7 0.14
8 0.16
9 0.14
10 0.06

1. What is the probability that 4 or more copies will be demanded in a particular day?

2. What is the probability that the demand will be at least 3 but not more than 7?

Reflect:
1. Why should the sum of the probabilities in a probability distribution always
be equal to 1?
2. What is the shape of most probability distributions? Why do you think so?

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Unit 2:
Computing the Mean and Variance of
a Discrete Probability Distribution

At the end of this unit, you are expected to:

1. Illustrate the mean and variance of a discrete random variable.

2. Calculate the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.
3. Interpret the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable.
4. Solve problems involving mean and variance of probability distributions.

Lifted from https://www.ck12.org/section/mean-and-standard-deviation-of-discrete-random-variables-of-discrete-probability-distribution/

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Review: Sample Mean and Population Mean

Let us review some of the terms that you have learned from Junior High School:
∑ − 𝑎 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑚𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Mean: is used to describe a set of data using a single number
- It is the average value of the data
- It is obtained by adding the scores and dividing the sum by the number of scores
∑𝑛 𝑥
Sample Mean: 𝑥̅ = 𝑖=1𝑛 1
o Sample mean is based on the data taken from the sample

∑𝑛 𝑥
Population Mean: 𝜇 = 𝑖=1𝑁 1
o Population mean is based on the data taken from an entire population

Take note on the symbols used for sample and population

Sample Population
Mean 𝑥̅ 𝜇
Standard Deviation 𝑠 𝜎
Variance 𝑠2 𝜎2

Example:
Given the table below on the ages of males and females
Pair Males (x) Females (y)
1 18 17
2 18 19
3 20 18
4 19 20
5 17 16

Find the following:

1. ∑5𝑖=1 𝑥𝑖
Answer: 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥3 + 𝑥4 + 𝑥5 = 18 + 18 + 20 + 19 + 17 = 92
So, ∑𝟓𝒊=𝟏 𝒙𝒊 = 𝟗𝟐

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

2. ∑5𝑖=1 𝑦𝑖 = 17 + 19 + 18 + 20 + 16 = 𝟗𝟎
3. ∑5𝑖=1(𝑥𝑖 − 𝑦𝑖 )2 = (18 − 17)2 + (18 − 19)2 + (20 − 18)2 + (19 − 20)2 + (17 − 16)2
∑5𝑖=1(𝑥𝑖 − 𝑦𝑖 )2 = 𝟖
4. Average/ Mean age of the males
∑5𝑖=1 𝑥𝑖 92
= = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟒
𝑛 5

5. Average/ Mean age of the females

∑5𝑖=1 𝑦𝑖 90
= = 𝟏𝟖
𝑛 5

6. Sample standard deviation of the age of females

∑(𝑥−𝑥̅ )2
𝑠=√ 𝑛−1

(17−18)2 +(19−18)2 +(18−18)2 +(20−18)2 +(16−18)2 10 √𝟏𝟎

𝑠=√ = √4 = 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟓𝟖𝟏𝟏
5−1 𝟐

7. Sample variance of the age of females

∑(𝑥−𝑥̅ )2 (17−18)2 +(19−18)2 +(18−18)2 +(20−18)2 +(16−18)2
𝑠2 = = = 𝟐. 𝟓
𝑛−1 5−1

- variance is the square of standard deviation or standard deviation is the square root
of variance.
√10
𝑠2 = ( ) = 𝟐. 𝟓
4

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Computing for the Mean of a Discrete Probability Distribution

Formula: 𝝁 = ∑ 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿)
Where:
𝜇 = 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
𝑃(𝑋) = 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
𝑋 = 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒

The mean of a probability distribution is the theoretical average of a random variable.

Example: Using the same example from Unit 1.

1. Suppose three coins are tossed. Let X be the random variable representing the
number of heads that occur. Find the probability of each of the values of the random
variable X and the mean.
Multiply X and P(X), then
Probability
Number of Heads X 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) you get the sum of all the
P(X)
products to have the mean.
1
0 0
8
3 3
1
8 8
3 6
2
8 8
1 3
3 So, the mean of the
8 8 probability distribution is
𝟏𝟐 𝟑 1.5. This implies that the
𝝁 = ∑ 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟓 average number of heads
𝟖 𝟐
that occur is 1.5.

2. The probabilities that a surgeon operates on 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 patients in any day are

0.15, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, respectively. Find the average number of patients that a
surgeon operates on a day.

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STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Number of Probability 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)

Patients X P(X)
4 0.15 0.6
5 0.10 0.5
6 0.20 1.2
7 0.25 1.75
So, the average number of
8 0.30 2.4
patients that a surgeon will
𝝁 = ∑ 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟔. 𝟒𝟓 operate in a day is 6.45

3. A sari-sari store that sells bubble gums recorded how many bags of gum it sold per
customer. This record was used to create a probability distribution of the number of
bags of gum sold per customer. Using the data below, determine the mean.
Number of bags
sold per customer, 0 1 2 3 4
X
Probability, P(X) 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1

Solution: 𝜇 = ∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) = (0 ∙ 0.1) + (1 ∙ 0.4) + (2 ∙ 0.2) + (3 ∙ 0.2) + (4 ∙ 0.1)

= 𝟏. 𝟖
Answer: The store sells an average of 1.8 bags of bubble gums per customer.

Computing for the Variance of a Discrete Probability Distribution

Formula: Variance: 𝝈𝟐 = ∑[(𝑿 − 𝝁)𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿)]

Where:
𝑋 = 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
𝑃(𝑋) = 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
𝜇 = 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛

Standard Deviation: 𝜎 = √∑[(𝑋 − 𝜇)2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)]

➢ The standard deviation of a probability distribution is the measure of deviation of

the data from the mean. The variance is the square of the standard deviation.
Alternative Formula

𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇2 𝜎 = √∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇2

21
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Examples:
1. Suppose three coins are tossed. Let X be the random variable representing the
number of heads that occur. Find the probability of each of the values of the random
variable X and the variance.

Number Multiply (𝑋 − 𝜇)2 and

Probability
of Heads 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) (𝑿 − 𝝁)𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) 𝑃(𝑋), then you get the
P(X)
X sum of all the products
1 1 9 to have the variance.
0
8
0 (0 − 1.5)2 ∙ =
8 32
3 3 3 3
1
8 (1 − 1.5)2 ∙ =
8 8 32
3 6 3 3
2 8 (2 − 1.5)2 ∙ =
8 8 32
1 3 1 9
3
8 (3 − 1.5)2 ∙ =
8 8 32
𝟑
𝟑 𝝈𝟐 = 𝒐𝒓 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 The variance is 0.75
𝝁 = 𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟓 𝟒
and the standard
√𝟑
𝝈 = √𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 = 𝟐
𝒐𝒓 𝟎. 𝟖𝟔𝟔 deviation is 0.866

2. The probabilities that a surgeon operates on 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 patients in any day are

0.15, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, respectively. Find the average number of patients that a
surgeon operates on a day and its variance.
Number of
Probability
Patients 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) (𝑿 − 𝝁)𝟐 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿)
P(X)
X
7203
4 0.15 0.6 (4 − 6.45)2 ∙ 0.15 =
8000
841
5 0.10 0.5 (5 − 6.45)2 ∙ 0.10 =
4000
81
6 0.20 1.2 (6 − 6.45)2 ∙ 0.20 =
2000
121
7 0.25 1.75 (7 − 6.45)2 ∙ 0.25 =
1600
2883
8 0.30 2.4 (8 − 6.45)2 ∙ 0.30 =
4000
𝝁 = ∑ 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟔. 𝟒𝟓 𝝈 = 𝟐 𝟕𝟕𝟗
𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟗𝟒𝟕𝟓
𝟒𝟎𝟎

𝟕𝟕𝟗 √𝟕𝟕𝟗
𝝈 = √𝟒𝟎𝟎 = 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟑𝟗𝟓𝟓
𝟐𝟎

22
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

3. A sari-sari store that sells bubble gums recorded how many bags of gum it sold per
customer. This record was used to create a probability distribution of the number of
bags of gum sold per customer. Using the data below, determine the mean and the
variance.
Number of bags sold per
0 1 2 3 4
customer, X
Probability, P(X) 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1
Solution:
Mean: 𝜇 = ∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) = (0 ∙ 0.1) + (1 ∙ 0.4) + (2 ∙ 0.2) + (3 ∙ 0.2) + (4 ∙ 0.1) = 𝟏. 𝟖

Variance: 𝜎 2 = ∑[(𝑋 − 𝜇)2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)]

= (0 − 1.8)2 ∙ 0.1 + (1 − 1.8)2 ∙ 0.4 + (2 − 1.8)2 ∙ 0.2 + (3 − 1.8)2 ∙ 0.2 + (4 −
1.8)2 ∙ 0.1
𝟑𝟒
𝜎 2 = 𝟐𝟓 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟑𝟔
√𝟑𝟒
Standard Deviation: 𝜎 = √1.36 = 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟔𝟐
𝟓

Alternative Formula

𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇 2 𝜎 = √∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇 2

1. Suppose three coins are tossed. Let X be the random variable representing the
number of heads that occur. Find the probability of each of the values of the random
variable X and the variance.
Number of Heads Probability
𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) 𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)
X P(X)
1 1
0
8
0 02 ∙ =0
8
3 3 3 3
1
8 12 ∙ =
8 8 8
3 6 3 3
2
8 22 ∙ =
8 8 2

23
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

1 3 1 9
3 8 32 ∙=
8 8 8
𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇 2
𝟑
𝝁 = 𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟓 𝝈𝟐 = 𝟑 − 𝟏. 𝟓𝟐
𝟑
= 𝟒 𝒐𝒓 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓
√𝟑
𝝈 = √𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 = 𝒐𝒓 𝟎. 𝟖𝟔𝟔
𝟐

➢ The variance is 0.75, and the standard deviation is 0.866.

2. The probabilities that a surgeon operates on 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 patients in any day are

0.15, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, respectively. Find the average number of patients that a
surgeon operates on a day and its variance.
Number of Probability 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) 𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)
Patients P(X)
X
4 0.15 0.6 42 ∙ 0.15 = 2.4
5 0.10 0.5 52 ∙ 0.10 = 2.5
6 0.20 1.2 62 ∙ 0.20 = 7.2
7 0.25 1.75 72 ∙ 0.25 = 12.25
8 0.30 2.4 82 ∙ 0.30 = 19.2
𝝁 = ∑ 𝑿 ∙ 𝑷(𝑿) = 𝟔. 𝟒𝟓 𝟖𝟕𝟏
𝝈𝟐 = − 𝟔. 𝟒𝟓𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟒𝟕𝟓
𝟐𝟎

𝝈 = √𝟏. 𝟗𝟒𝟕𝟓 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟗𝟓𝟓

3. A sari-sari store that sells bubble gums recorded how many bags of gum it sold per
customer. This record was used to create a probability distribution of the number of
bags of gum sold per customer. Using the data below, determine the mean and the
variance.
Number of bags sold per
0 1 2 3 4
customer, X
Probability, P(X) 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1
Solution:
Mean: 𝜇 = ∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) = (0 ∙ 0.1) + (1 ∙ 0.4) + (2 ∙ 0.2) + (3 ∙ 0.2) + (4 ∙ 0.1) = 𝟏. 𝟖

Variance: 𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇 2

= [(02 ∙ 0.1) + (12 ∙ 0.4) + (22 ∙ 0.2) + (32 ∙ 0.2) + (42 ∙ 0.1)] − 1.82
𝟑𝟒 √𝟑𝟒
𝜎 2 = 𝟐𝟓 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟑𝟔 Standard Deviation: 𝜎 = √1.36 = 𝒐𝒓 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟔𝟐
𝟓

24
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Try this! Answers are provided at the end of this Module 1.

1. Find the mean, variance, and the standard deviation of the probability distribution
𝑥+2
of the random variable X if 𝑃(𝑋) = 25 for X=1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

2. In a store that sells milk tea, it was found that 30% of customers buy three milk
teas per purchase, 20% buy two milk teas per purchase, and 50% buy one milk
tea per purchase. What is the probability that in the first 20 customers in a day,
six of them buy three milk teas, four buy two milk teas, and 10 buy one milk tea?
Construct the Probability Mass Function, and then solve for the mean, variance,
and standard deviation.

Formative Assessment: Encircle the letter of your answer. Take note that this activity
will NOT be submitted. The answers are found at the end of Module 1.

1. The probability that event A is impossible to occur is

A. 1 B. 0 C. 0.5

2. All of the following can be probabilities EXCEPT

6 11
A. B. 0.987 C.
8 10

3. Among certain stocks selected in one day, 442 declined and 458 roses. If one of these
stocks is selected at random, what is the probability that it rose today?
229
A. 0.442 B. 0.458 C. 450

25
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

4. Refer to number 3, what is the probability that the stocks declined.

221
A. 0.442 B. 450 C. 0.458

5. If one person is to be randomly selected from a class of 50 students, what is the

probability that the shortest person will be chosen?
1 1
A. 50 B. 2 C. 1

6. What is the probability of selecting a black Jack of hearts in an ordinary deck of cards?
1 13
A. 52 B. 52 C. 0

7. Which of the following explains why the table below is not a probability distribution?
X 1 3 5 7 9
P(X) 0.09 0.15 0.18 0.12 0.13

A. The sum of the probabilities has to be equal to 1.

B. The probability of each random variable should be 0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑋) ≤ 1.
C. The probability cannot assume values greater than 1.

8. Which of the following is a discrete random variable?

A. The amount of paint used in painting a building
B. The average height of male athletes
C. The number of candies you have eaten today

9. If two coins are tossed, which is not a possible value of the random variable for the
number of tails?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3

10. Find the mean, variance, and the standard deviation of the probability distribution
below.
X 2 4 6 8 10
P(X) 1 1 2 2 1
9 9 9 9 3

26
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Answer Key (Module 1)

UNIT 1

Exercise 1
1. Discrete 5. Continuous 9. Discrete
2. Continuous 6. Continuous 10. Discrete
3. Continuous 7. Continuous
4. Continuous 8. Discrete

Exercise 2
1. S= {BBB, BBG, BGB, BGG, GBB, GBG, GGB, GGG}
2. a. S= {8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48} b. S= {1, -5} c. 𝑆 = {𝑥|1 < 𝑥 < 2}
3. a. {2, 4} b. {0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8}
4. 36
5. Number of elements in the sample space and the list of sample points in the sample
space.
a. There are 24 sample points in the sample space S= {6 Heart, 6 Spade, 6 Diamond,
and 6 Club}
b. There are 13 sample points in the sample space S={1 Spade, 2 Spade,…, King
Spade}
c. There are 12 sample points in the sample space
S= {H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6}

d. There are 8 sample points in the sample space

27
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Exercise 3- D
1
1. The deck of cards has 52 5. 3
cards in it, and there are 4 1
suits; in each suit, there is 1 6. 2
5
Ace. So, the probability is 7.
4 1 36
𝑜𝑟 . 8.
1
52 13
1 4
2. 1
18 9.
1 6
3. 1
8 10.
1 26
4. 26

Elaborate
A. Determine whether the distribution represents a probability distribution.
1. Yes, because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) = 1, it does satisfy the properties of probability distribution
2. No, because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) > 1, it does not satisfy one of the properties of probability
distribution
3. No, because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) < 1, it does not satisfy one of the properties of probability
distribution

B. Probability Mass Function

X 2 3 4 5 6
P(X) 0.15 0.2 0.10 0.30 0.25

Histogram of the Probability Mass Function

28
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

C. Determine whether the given values can serve as the value of probability distribution
of the random variable X that can take on only the values 1, 2, 3, and 4. Explain your
answer.
1. No, because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) > 1, it does not satisfy one of the properties of probability
distribution
2. Yes, because ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) = 1, it does satisfy the properties of probability distribution
3. No, because ∑ 𝑃(4) = −0.15, it does not satisfy one of the properties of
probability distribution

D. Solve what is being asked.

4
1. 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4) = 5
51
2. 𝑃(3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 7) = 100

UNIT 2

Elaborate

1. Mean=3.4 standard deviation= 1.356 variance= 1.84

2. Mean=1.8 standard deviation= 0.872 variance= 0.76
Probability Mass Function
Number of Sold 1 2 3
Milk Tea (X)
P(X) 0.5 0.2 0.3

Evaluate
Formative assessment
1. B
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. A
6. C
7. A & B
8. C
9. C
10. 𝜇 = 7.11 ; 𝜎 = 2.69 ; 𝜎 2 = 7.21

29
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

References:
Baccay, E. S., & Belecina, R. R. (2019). Statistics and Probability (2nd ed.). Rex Book Store
Inc.

30
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

Tizon, M. B., & Mesa, H. Y. (2016). Stat Speaks: Statistics and Probability for 21st Century
Learners. St. Bernadette Publishing House Corporation.

Garambas, Z. U. (2011). Basic Probability and Statistics. Valencia Educational Supply.

Abao, Z. R., Guhao, Jr., E. S., Marribay, J. B., Zorilla, R. S., Mendoza, V. C., Jalon, G. E., Santiago,
A. D., Buenaseda, F. P., Conde, B. T., Canlas, R. C., & Senajon, E. T. (2009). Basic
Statistics with Business and Nursing Applications. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Tizon, M. B., & Mesa, H. Y. (2016). Stat Speaks: Statistics and Probability for 21st
Century Learners. St. Bernadette Publishing House Corporation.

Probability: Distribution Models & Continuous Random Variables. (n.d.). [Photograph].

https://www.edx.org/course/probability-distribution-models-continuous-random

Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. (n.d.). [Photograph]. DATAtab.

https://datatab.net/tutorial/descriptive-inferential-statistics

Random Variable. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_variable

High School Boy Student. (n.d.). [Photograph]. KindPng.

https://www.kindpng.com/imgv/TmToTb_nios-en-la-escuela-school-high-school-
boy/

Constructing a probability distribution for random variable | Khan Academy. (2014,

February 7). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqK3uRoPtk0

Casio fx115ES Plus - Mean, Standard Deviation, Variance. (2019, April 12). [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McCoCvogTQ4

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