“ STATISTICS

&
PROBABILITY”

YCAH
CHAPTER 1

Random Variables and

Probability Distributions
LESSON 1

“Properties of Random
Variables”
 Table 1.1: Frequency and Relative Frequency
Distributions of the Number of TVs owned by City
of Manila Families
Number of TVs Owned Frequency Relative Frequency

0 34 34/500 = 0.068
1 316 316/500 = 0.632
2 132 132/500 = 0.264
3 18 18/500 = 0.036
N = 500 Sum = 1.000
Suppose one family is randomly selected from this
population. The process of randomly selecting a
family is called a random or chance experiment.

Let X denotes the number of TVs owned by the

selected family. Then X can assume any of the 4
possible values ( 0, 1, 2, 3) recorded in the leftmost
column of the table.

The value assumed by X depends on the family

selected. Hence, this value depends on the outcome
of a random experiment. Therefore, X is referred to
as random variable.
DEFINITION: (RANDOM EXPERIMENT)
It is an experiment that can be repeated numerous
times under the same conditions. Its result must be
independent of one another.

DEFINITION: (SAMPLE SPACE)

The set of all possible outcomes of a random
experiment; denoted by a capital letter.

DEFINITION: (OUTCOME)
The result of a random experiment.
DEFINITION: (RANDOM VARIABLE)
A random variable is a function or rule that assigns
a number to each outcome of an experiment, it is
also called chance variable. It can be discrete or
continuous.
RANDOM VARIABLE

DISCRETE CONTINUOUS
RANDOM VARIABLE RANDOM VARIABLE
 STEPS:
1. Identify the sample space (Ω).
2. Create a table (optional).
3. Conclude.

𝜴 – Capital letter Omega (Greek Alphabet)

Example 1.1:
Let X be a random variable that denotes the
result of rolling a die. What are the possible
values of X?
SOLUTION:

Identify the sample space (Ω).

Ω = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Therefore, the possible values of X are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6.
 Example 1.1:
Suppose a coin is tossed two times. Let X be the
random variable representing the number of heads
that occur. Find the values of the random variable X.

STEP 1 : Identify the sample space (Ω).

H HH
H T HT
T H TH
T TT
∴ Ω = { HH , HT , TH , TT }
 Example 1.1:
Suppose a coin is tossed two times. Let X be the
random variable representing the number of heads
that occur. Find the values of the random variable X.

STEP 2 : Create a table.

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES VALUE OF THE
RANDOM VARIABLE (X)
HH 2
HT 1
TH 1
TT 0
 Example 1.1:
Suppose a coin is tossed two times. Let X be the
random variable representing the number of heads
that occur. Find the values of the random variable X.

STEP 3 : CONCLUDE.

Therefore, the possible values of the random

variable X are 0, 1 and 2.
 Example 1.2:
Two candies are drawn in succession without
replacement from a box containing 5 white rabbits
and 6 snow bears. Let Z be the random variable
representing the number of white rabbit candies.
Find the values of the random variable Z.

STEP 1 : Identify the sample space (Ω).

Let W represents white rabbit and S represents

snow bear.

∴ Ω = { WW , WS , SW , SS }
 Example 1.2:
Two candies are drawn in succession without replacement from a
box containing 5 white rabbits and 6 snow bears. Let Z be the
random variable representing the number of white rabbit
candies. Find the values of the random variable Z.

STEP 2 : Create a table.

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES VALUE OF THE

RANDOM VARIABLE (Z)
WW 2
WS 1
SW 1
SS 0
 Example 1.2:
Two candies are drawn in succession without
replacement from a box containing 5 white rabbits
and 6 snow bears. Let Z be the random variable
representing the number of white rabbit candies.
Find the values of the random variable Z.

STEP 3 : CONCLUDE.
Therefore, the possible values of the random
variable Z are 0, 1 and 2.
Example 1.3:
Write all possible values of each random variable.
(a) X: Number of even number outcomes in a roll of
a die.
∴ X = { 2, 4, 6 }
(b) Y: Weight (mg) of a powder that does not exceed
80mg.
∴ 0 ≤ Y ≤ 80
(c) Z: Scores of a student in a 10 – item test.

∴ Z = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 }
(d) A:Product of two numbers taken from two boxes
containing numbers from 0 to 5.

∴ A = { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 25}

DEFINITION: (RANDOM VARIABLE)
A random variable is a function or rule that assigns
a number to each outcome of an experiment, it is
also called chance variable. It can be discrete or
continuous.
RANDOM VARIABLE

DISCRETE CONTINUOUS
RANDOM VARIABLE RANDOM VARIABLE
DEFINITION: (DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE)
A discrete random variable a random variable
with a finite number of possible values or
an infinite number of values that can be
counted.
Example:
The number of phones produced by a
company is a discrete random variable
since it can be counted as 0, 1, 2, 3, and so
on. It has an infinite number of values that
can be counted.
DEFINITION: (CONTINUOUS RANDOM
VARIABLE)
A continuous random variable a random
variable that can assume an infinite
number of values that can take decimal or
fractional values. [measured]

Example:
The height of a student is a continuous
random variable since its possible values
can be represented by decimal numbers.
Example: A random variable has the
following value: 7, 8, 10, 13, or 21. Is
the random variable discrete or
continuous?
Example: Determine whether the
recorded body temperature of a
patient is a hospital is a discrete or
continuous random variable.
Example: Let Y be a random variable
that denotes the number of boys in a
flag ceremony. Is Y discrete or
continuous?
Example: Sophie bought 2.12 kg of
pork, 3.6 kg of chicken, and 5.12 kg of
beef. Let Z be the total weight of two
kinds of meat she bought. Is Z discrete
or continuous?
Examples: Identify if the following
given is a discrete or continuous
function.
1. Number of students in a classroom.
2. Number of pages in a book.
3. Number of employees.
4. Number of people in a queue.
5. Outcome of a dice roll.
Examples: Identify if the following
given is a discrete or continuous
function.
6. Height of the students
7. Weight of pigs.
8. Room temperature.
9. Skull circumference.
10. Amount of sugar in a coffee.
 ACTIVITY 1.1
(1/2 crosswise / Activity Notebook)
EIM/ CSS/ COOKERY
A. Write all possible values of each random
variable.
1. Suppose a coin is tossed two times. Let β be the
random variable representing the number of tails
that occur. Find the values of the random variable β.
2. A mother will give birth to a triplets. If X denotes
the number of boys, what are the possible values of
X?
3. S: Sum of two numbers taken from two boxes
containing numbers from 0 to 2
 ACTIVITY 1.1
B. Indicate which of the following random
variables are Discrete or Continuous.

1. number of siblings
2. weight
3. height
4. age
5. usual daily allowance
 ACTIVITY 1.1
B. Indicate which of the following random
variables are Discrete or Continuous.
6. body temperature
7. number of children in a household
8. number of online purchases made
in a week.
9. the amount of time to complete a
task
10.outcomes in rolling a pair of dice
LESSON 2

“Probability Distribution of
a Discrete Random
Variable”
Definition (Discrete Probability Distribution):
A discrete probability distribution is a listing of
all possible values of a discrete random variable
along with their corresponding probabilities. It is
represented in tabular, graphical or formula form.

In short, it is a list, a table, a graph, or a

formula of probabilities associated with
each of its possible values.
 Tabular form: X 2 4 6
Table of Values P(X) 1/2 1/4 1/4

Graphical Form:
Histogram

Formula Form:
Probability
Mass Function
 Properties of Discrete Probability Distribution:
1. The probability of each value of a discrete
random variable is between 0 and 1 inclusive.
That is, 0 ≤ P(x) ≤ 1.
2. The sum of all probabilities is 1. That is, ΣP(x)=1.

EXAMPLE 2.1: Determine whether the distribution is a

discrete probability distribution.
a.
X 2 4 6
P(X) 1/2 3/4 -1/4

Answer: Not a discrete probability distribution

 Properties of Discrete Probability Distribution:
1. The probability of each value of a discrete
random variable is between 0 and 1 inclusive.
That is, 0≤P(x) ≤1.(ang probability dili muubos sa 0 dili sad mulapas sa 1)
2. The sum of all probabilities is 1. That is, ΣP(x)=1.

EXAMPLE 2.2: Determine whether the distribution is a

discrete probability distribution.
b.
X 5 10 15 20
P(X) 1/8 3/8 1/2 0

Answer: Discrete probability distribution

EXAMPLE 2.3:A random variable X has the following
discrete probability distribution.
X 0 1 2 3 4
P(X) 0.06 0.23 ? 0.35 0.05

a. Find P(2) c. Find P(X < 2)

Answer: 0.31 Answer: 0.29

b. Find P(X ≥ 3) d. Find P(1 ≤ X ≤ 3)

Answer: 0.40 Answer: 0.89
 Constructing Probability
Distribution
Steps in getting the probability distribution of
each value of the random variable:
1. Identify all the possible values of the random
variable.
2. Assign probability values to each value
of the random variable.
Example 3.1
Supposed three coins are tossed. Let X be the
random variable representing the number of heads.
Construct the probability distribution and draw the
histogram.

Example 3.2
Two fair dice are thrown simultaneously. Let X be
the sum of the two outcomes in throwing the two
fair dice. Construct the discrete probability
distribution. Draw the histogram.
 ACTIVITY 1.2
(1/2 crosswise / Activity Notebook)
A. Determine whether the distribution is a discrete
probability distribution.
1.
X 0 1 2 3 4
P(X) 0.0625 0.25 0.375 0.25 0.0625

2.
X 1 2 3 4 5
P(X) 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
 ACTIVITY 1.2
(1/2 crosswise / Activity Notebook)
A. Determine whether the distribution is a discrete
probability distribution.
1.
X 0 1 2 3 4
P(X) 0.0625 0.25 0.375 0.25 0.0625

2.
X 1 2 3 4 5
P(X) 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
 ACTIVITY 1.2
(1/2 crosswise / Activity Notebook)

B. Supposed two fair dice are tossed. Let X be

the product of the two outcomes in throwing
the two fair dice. Construct the tabular and
graphical form of a discrete probability
distribution.