Probability Distribution Discrete
Probability Distribution Discrete
M B D Neelakanthie
MBA, MSc in CS, BSc (Special) Hons.
QMS/OHSAS/ISMS/EnMS Auditor, Six Sigma(Green Belt)
Probability Distributions
• Random Variable: Variable that takes on different
numerical values as a result of the outcome of a
random experiment.
• Random variables are two types:
– Discrete random variable : Random Variable that can
take on only a finite or countably infinite set of
outcomes. Ex: number of defects in a product, number
of customers served in one hour
– Continuous random variable: Variable can assume any
value within a given range. Ex: length, diameter, specific
gravity of liquid
Probability Distributions
This table gives the values taken by random variable and their
corresponding probabilities. For instance, P(X= 1) = 0.4; that
is, there is a 40% chance of finding one defective solder
Probability Distributions
• Discrete probability distribution describes the
probability of occurrence of each value of a
discrete random variable.
– Binomial Distribution
– Poisson Distribution
• Continuous probability distribution describes the
probabilities of the possible values of a
continuous random variable.
– Normal Distribution
– Exponential Distribution
Binomial Distribution
• Discrete Distribution
• Describes the result of an experiment which has only two
outcomes
– Yes/No, Pass/Fail, Hit/Miss
• Consider a series of independent trials where each trial results in
one of two outcomes. Theses outcomes are either a ‘success’ or a
‘failure’. Probability of success (p) to be constant on any trial.
• X denote the number of successes in ‘n’ trials , then the
probability of successes is:
Binomial Distribution
• A manufacturing process is estimated to
produce 5% nonconforming items. If a
random sample of five items is chosen,
find the probability of getting two
nonconforming items.
p=0.05, n=5, x=2
Binomial Distribution
• 60% of people who purchase sports cars are
men. If 10 sports car owners are randomly
selected, find the probability that exactly 7
are men
n=10, r = 7, p=0.6
P(X=7) = nCr Pr (1-p)n-r
= 10!/(10-7)! 7! x 0.67 (1-0.6)3
=
120 x 0.02799 x 0.064
= 0.215
Poisson Distribution
• Poisson distribution is used to model the
number of events that happen within a
product unit/space or volume/time period.
• Ex: machine breakdowns per month, number
of defective per item.
The probability function:
λ=5
P(0) = e-5 50 / 0! = 0.0067
P(1) = e-5 51 / 1! = 0.0337
P(2) = e-5 52 / 2! = 0.0842
P(3) = e-5 53 / 3! = 0.1404
P(X<=2) = P(0) + P(1) + P(2)
= 0.0067+0.0337+0.0842 = 0.1246
b) P(Exactly three patient arrives) = P(X=3)
P(x)= e-λ λx
x!