RANDOM VARIABLES AND
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
by: nbmanasan
TOPIC OVERVIEW
Calculate Random
Define what is
Define what is Variable and
Probability
Random Variable Probability
Distribution
Distribution
RANDOM VARIABLES
• A random variable is a function that associates a real number
with each element in the sample space. It is a variable whose
values are determined by chance. Thus in simple words,
random variable is a numerical quantity that is derived from
the outcomes of a random experiment.
Ex:
a. In an experiment of tossing a coin, the number of times the
coin turns up a head is an example of random variables.
b. Supposed two dice are rolled. The sum of two numbers face
up is an example of random variables.
STEPS ON HOW TO FIND THE VALUE OF
RANDOM VARIABLES IN ANY EVENT/
EXPERIMENT.
1. Assign letters that will represent each outcome.
2. Determine the sample space.
3. Count the number of random variable.
RANDOM VARIABLES
Example #1:
Define the number of variable “X” as the number of heads we
get after three flips of a fair coins. Look for the values of the
random variable X.
RANDOM VARIABLES
Solution:
Outcome X = No. of Heads
HHH 3
HHT 2
HTH 2
Conclusion:
HTT 1
The possible values of random variable X
THH 2
are 0,1,2, and 3.
THT 1
We can also say, X={0,1,2,3}
TTH 1
TTT 0
RANDOM VARIABLES
Example #2:
Supposed there are 2 people tested in Covid-19. Let X be the
random variable representing the number of infected person that
occur. Find the values of random variable.
RANDOM VARIABLES
Solution:
Outcome X = No. of Infected Conclusion:
PP 2 The possible values of random variable X
PN 1 are 0,1, and 2.
NP 1 We can also say, X={0,1,2}
NN 0
TWO TYPES OF RANDOM
VARIABLE
• DISCRETE RANDOM VARIABLE, can only take a finite
(countable) number of distinct value. The values are exact and
can be represented by nonnegative whole numbers.
• CONTINUOUS RANDOM VARIABLE, can assume an
infinite number of values in an interval between two specific
values. They can assume values that can be represented not
only by nonnegative whole numbers, but also fractions and
decimals, and are often results of measurement.
TWO TYPES OF RANDOM
Example:
VARIABLE
Classify the following random variables if discrete (DRV) or
continuous (CRV).
1. Number of patients per day at Calamba Doctors Hospital.
2. Temperature of the SVCC 3rd Year Students.
3. The number of female athletes at UAAP Season 89.
4. The amount of sugar in a cup of coffee.
5. The number of deaths infected by Covid-19 at CDH.
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
• A probability distribution is a mathematical function that
describes the probability of different possible values of a
variable. Probability distributions are often depicted using
graphs or probability tables.
DISCRETE PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTIONS
A discrete probability distribution is a listing of all possible
value of a discrete random variables along with their
corresponding probabilities.
It is represented in tabular, graphical/histogram, or formula form.
STEPS IN GETTING THE PROBABILITY OF
EACH VALUE OF THE RANDOM VARIABLE.
1. Assign letters that will represent each outcome.
2. Determine the sample space.
3. Count the number of random variable.
4. Given the total possible values of the random variable, assign
probability values to each value of the random variable.
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
Example #1:
Supposed three coins are tossed. Let X be the random variable
representing the number of heads. Construct a probability
distribution and draw a histogram.
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
Solution:
Outcome X = No. of Heads No. of Heads, X 0,1,2,3
HHH 3 Probability, P (X) 1/8, 3/8, 3/8, 1/8
HHT 2
HTH 2
3/8
HTT 1
P (X)
THH 2
2/8
THT 1
1/8
TTH 1
TTT 0 X
0 1 2 3
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
Example #2:
Two fair dice are thrown simultaneously. Let X be the sum of
two outcomes in throwing the two fair dice. Construct the
discrete probability distribution. Draw the histogram.
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
Solution:
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 (1,1) (1,2) (1,3) (1,4) (1,5) (1,6)
2 (2,1) (2,2) (2,3) (2,4) (2,5) (2,6)
3 (3,1) (3,2) (3,3) (3,4) (3,5) (3,6)
4 (4,1) (4,2) (4,3) (4,4) (4,5) (4,6)
5 (5,1) (5,2) (5,3) (5,4) (5,5) (5,6)
6 (6,1) (6,2) (6,3) (6,4) (6,5) (6,6)
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
Solution:
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 (1,1) = 2 (1,2) = 3 (1,3) = 4 (1,4) = 5 (1,5) = 6 (1,6) = 7
2 (2,1) = 3 (2,2) = 4 (2,3) = 5 (2,4) = 6 (2,5) = 7 (2,6) = 8
3 (3,1) = 4 (3,2) = 5 (3,3) = 6 (3,4) = 7 (3,5) = 8 (3,6) = 9
4 (4,1) = 5 (4,2) = 6 (4,3) = 7 (4,4) = 8 (4,5) = 9 (4,6) = 10
5 (5,1) = 6 (5,2) = 7 (5,3) = 8 (5,4) = 9 (5,5) = 10 (5,6) = 11
6 (6,1) = 7 (6,2) = 8 (6,3) = 9 (6,4) = 10 (6,5) = 11 (6,6) = 12
Sum, X 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
P (X) 1/36, 2/36, 3/36, 4/36, 5/36, 6/36, 5/36, 4/36, 3/36, 2/36, 1/36
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS
Solution:
Sum, X 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
P (X) 1/36, 2/36, 3/36, 4/36, 5/36, 6/36, 5/36, 4/36, 3/36, 2/36, 1/36
5/36 6/36
3/36 4/36
1/36 2/36
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
GROUP ACTIVITY
Problem:
Supposed there are 5 students tested in Dengue Fever. Let X be
the random variable representing the number of infected person
that occur. Find the values of random variable, construct the
probability distribution and make a histogram.
