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StatProb11 Midterm Wk1

The document covers the concepts of random variables and probability distributions, distinguishing between discrete and continuous random variables. It explains how to identify possible values of random variables, construct probability distributions, and compute associated probabilities. Examples are provided to illustrate the classification of variables and the construction of frequency and probability distributions.

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5 views

StatProb11 Midterm Wk1

The document covers the concepts of random variables and probability distributions, distinguishing between discrete and continuous random variables. It explains how to identify possible values of random variables, construct probability distributions, and compute associated probabilities. Examples are provided to illustrate the classification of variables and the construction of frequency and probability distributions.

Uploaded by

danieldavejmanguiob
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LR_StatProb11_Midterm_Wk1D1-4_Page 1

Topic: Random Variables and Probability Distributions


Competencies:
●​ illustrates a random variable (discrete and continuous).
●​ distinguish between a discrete and a continuous random variable.
●​ find the possible values of a random variable.
●​ illustrates a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its
properties.
●​ computes probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.
Reference: Statistic and Probability Quarter 3- Module 1: Random Variables and Probability
Distributions.
RANDOM VARIABLES
We first learned about the notion of variables in the introduction of Algebra, and
we know from our Algebra lessons that a variable is a placeholder for real number
values that can be assigned to it. Some examples of variables include X = number of
heads or Y = number of cell phones or Z = running time to movies.
In certain trials, for example, flipping or tossing a coin three times, rolling a die
twice, drawing two balls from an urn, and so forth, we are not usually concerned with
the results.
We were usually engrossed in some numbers associated with the outcomes. For
example, if a coin is tossed twice, the set of all possible outcomes (S) of the experiment
is:
`​ ​ ​ S = {TT, TH, HT, HH}
A sample space (S) = is a collection or a set of possible outcomes of a random
experiment. The sample space is represented using the symbol, “S”. The subset of possible
outcomes of an experiment is called events. A sample space may contain several outcomes
which depend on the experiment. If it contains a finite number of outcomes, then it is known as
discrete or finite sample spaces.
On the off chance that we are keen on the number of tails that turned out in the
experiment, we can allocate numbers 0, 1 and 2 for each of the 4 possible results. Thus, we can
write:
LR_StatProb11_Midterm_Wk1D1-4_Page 2
Sample Space Number of Tails

TT 2

TH 1

HT 1

HH 0

A random variable is a variable whose value is determined by the outcome of a random


experiment. It is usually denoted as a capital (upper case) X for the random variable and lower
case x1, x2, x3,... for the values of the random variable in an experiment. The xi then represents
an event that is a subset of the sample space.

Types of Random Variables


A discrete random variable is said to be a random variable X and it has a finite number
of elements or infinite but can be represented by whole numbers. These values usually arise
from counts.
Finite sets: Finite sets are the sets having a finite/countable number of members. Finite
sets are also known as countable sets as they can be counted. The process will run out of
elements to list if the elements of this set have a finite number of members.
Examples of finite sets:
P = {0, 3, 6, 9, ..., 99}
Q = {a: a is an integer, 1 < a < 10}
A set of all English Alphabets (because it is countable).
Infinite sets: If a set is not finite, because the number of elements in that set is not
countable and it cannot be represented in a Roster form. Thus, infinite sets are also known as
uncountable sets.
Examples of infinite sets:
• A set of all whole numbers, W= {0, 1, 2, 3, 4,...}
• A set of all points on a line
LR_StatProb11_Midterm_Wk1D1-4_Page 3
• The set of all integers
A continuous random variable is said to be a random variable Y and it has an infinite
(unaccountable) number of elements and cannot be represented by whole numbers. Hence,
values between consecutive counting numbers could be considered such as decimals, fractions,
etc. These values usually come from measurements.
A continuous random variable is one which takes an infinite number of possible values
and usually measurements.
Example:
Height
Weight
The amount of sugar in an orange.
The time required to run a mile.

Example 1:
A teacher’s record has the following: (a) scores of students in a 50-item test, (b) gender, (c)
height of the students. Classify each whether discrete or continuous variable.
Answer:
Scores of students in a 50-item test are a discrete random variable because the scores
of the students are usually represented by whole numbers. Gender is also a discrete random
variable because male and female could be coded 0 for female and 1 for male, thus, it can be
counted.
Height of the students is regarded as a continuous random variable because
measurements have infinite (unaccountable) values that could be represented by decimals or
fractions.

Example 2:
Write the possible values of each random variable:
a. X = number of heads in tossing a coin thrice
b. Y = dropout rate (%) in a certain high school
LR_StatProb11_Midterm_Wk1D1-4_Page 4

Constructing a probability distribution and compute the probabilities

Example 1:

Step Solution

1.​ List the sample space S = {HH, HT, TH, TT}

2.​ Count the number of tails


in each outcome and
Outcome Number of Tails
assign this number to this
( Value of X)
outcome.
HH 0

HT 1

TH 1

TT 2
The values of the random variable X
(number of tails) in this experiment
are 0, 1, and 2.

3.​ Construct the frequency


distribution of the values
Number of Tails Number of
of the random variable T.
(Value of X) Occurrence
(Frequency)

0 1

1 2

2 1

Total 4

4.​ Construct the probability


distribution of the random
variable T by getting the
probability of occurrence
of each value of the
random variable.
LR_StatProb11_Midterm_Wk1D1-4_Page 5

Example 2: Four coins are tossed. Let T be the random variable representing the number of
tails that occur. Find the values of the random variable T.
LR_StatProb11_Midterm_Wk1D1-4_Page 6
LAS_StatProb11_Midterm_Wk1D1-4_Page 1

Activity 1: Complete the table below by constructing and illustrating the probability distribution.
Situation 1: A basket contains 10 red balls and 4 white balls. If three balls are taken from the
basket one after the other, determine the possible values of the random variable R representing
the number of red balls.

Step Solution

1.​ List the sample space

2.​ Count the number of tails in each


outcome and assign this number to
this outcome.

3.​ Construct the frequency distribution


of the values of the given random
variable.

4.​ Construct the probability distribution


of the given random variable by
getting the probability of occurrence
of each value of the random variable.

5.​ Construct the probability histogram

Situation 2: A pair of dice is rolled. Let X be the random variable representing the sum of the
number of dots on the top faces. Find the values of the random variable X.

Step Solution

6.​ List the sample space


7.​ Count the number of tails in each
outcome and assign this number to
this outcome.

8.​ Construct the frequency distribution


of the values of the given random
variable.

9.​ Construct the probability distribution


of the given random variable by
getting the probability of occurrence
of each value of the random variable.

10.​Construct the probability histogram

Activity 2: Write your answer on the space provided.

Answer the following in 2-3 sentences only.


1.​ How do you describe a discrete random variable?

2.​ How do you describe a continuous random variable?


LAS_StatProb11_Midterm_Wk1D1-4_Page 3
3.​ Give three examples of discrete random variable.

4.​ Give three examples of continuous random variable.

5.​ What do you notice about the probability values of random variable in each
probability distribution?

6.​ What is the sum of the probabilities of a random variable?

7.​ Why should the sum of the probabilities in a probability distribution is always
equal to 1?
8.​ What is the shape of most probability distributions? Why do you think so?

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