Random Variables and
Probability Distribution
Theresa R. Unas
Objectives
illustrates a random variable (discrete and continuous).
distinguishes between a discrete and a continuous random variable.
finds 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.
illustrates the mean and variance of a discrete random variable.
calculates the mean and the variance of a discrete random variable
Review
Answer the following questions.
1. In how many ways can two coins fall?
2. If three coins are tossed, in how many ways can
they fall?
3. In how many ways can a die fall?
4. In how many ways can two dice fall?
5. How many ways are there in tossing one coin and
rolling a die?
Definitions of Random Variable
Arandom variable is a result of chance event, that you can
measure or count.
A random variable is a numerical quantity that is assigned
to the outcome of an experiment. It is a variable that
assumes numerical values associated with the events of an
experiment.
A random variable is a quantitative variable which values
depends on change.
Example 1
Suppose two coins are tossed and we are interested to determine the number of
tails that will come out. Let us use T to represent the number of tails that will
come out. Determine the values of the random variable T.
Example 2
Two balls are drawn in succession without replacement from
an urn containing 5 orange balls and 6 violet balls. Let V be
the random variable representing the number of violet balls.
Find the values of the random variable V.
Example 3
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.
Exercises
1. 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.
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.
Discrete and Continuous Random
Variable
A random variable may be classified as discrete
and continuous. A discrete random variable has
a countable number of possible values. A
continuous random variable can assume an
infinite number of values in one or more
intervals.
Examples
Additional step to illustrate and compute the
probabilities corresponding to a given random
variable.
Exercises
Example 3
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.