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Statistics Mean and Variance of Discrete Random Variables

The document discusses calculating the mean and variance of discrete random variables. It provides an example of finding the mean and standard deviation of the number of defective computer parts in a shipment using a probability distribution table. Exercises are included to calculate the mean and standard deviation of additional random variables given their probability distributions.

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John Sutton
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292 views3 pages

Statistics Mean and Variance of Discrete Random Variables

The document discusses calculating the mean and variance of discrete random variables. It provides an example of finding the mean and standard deviation of the number of defective computer parts in a shipment using a probability distribution table. Exercises are included to calculate the mean and standard deviation of additional random variables given their probability distributions.

Uploaded by

John Sutton
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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© Teachers Teaching with Technology (Scotland)

Teachers Teaching with Technology

T3 Scotland

Statistics
Mean and Variance of Discrete Random Variables

©Teachers Teaching with Technology (Scotland)


Higher Statistics
Mean and Variance of Discrete Random Variables

Let X be a discrete random variable taking values x1 , x2 ,....., xn with


probabilities p1 , p2 ,......, pn . The variance of X, denoted by σ 2 , is the
number
σ 2 = ( x1 − µ ) 2 p1 + ( x2 − µ ) 2 p2 + ........... + ( xn − µ ) 2 pn

The standard deviation σ of x is the square root of the variance


When given the probability distribution of a random variable X, the Ti-83 list facility can be used to
find the mean and standard deviation.

Example 1
Let the output of the random variable X denote the number of defective computer parts in a
shipment of 400.
The following table gives the probability density function (pdf) of X

X 0 1 2 3 4 5
Pdf(x) 0.02 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.08

Compute the mean and standard deviation.

Solution:
Input the values given in L1 and L2 (Fig 1)

Fig 1

Calculate the mean and standard deviation


Use STAT CALC 1: 1-Var Stats (Fig 2) followed by the list name (Fig 3 ).

Fig 2 Fig 3

This gives

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©T Scotland Higher Statistics (Mean and Variance) Page 1 of 2
Exercises
1. A random variable X has a probability density function given by:

X -2 -1 0 1 2
Pdf(x) 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1

Compute the mean and standard deviation

2. Bluetits always lay three eggs.


The number of eggs, X, which hatch has the following probability distribution.

X 0 1 2 3
Pdf(x) 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.2

Compute the mean and standard deviation

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©T Scotland Higher Statistics Page 2 of 2

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