SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

11

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

NAME: _________________________________________

GRADE AND SECTION: _________________________

DATE: _________________________________________

TEACHER: _______________________________________

RANDOM VARIABLES AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS 1

 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Department of Education 11
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NAGA CITY
CAMARINES SUR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 2

NAME: GRADE LEVEL/SECTION:
TOPIC: Random Variables and Probability DATE:
Distributions

INTRODUCTION

This Learning Activity Sheet was designed and written with you in mind. In real life,
most of our observations are in the form of numerical data that are observed values of what
are called random variables such as the number of students who attend online classes or
even the number of working hours spent of the frontliner a day. In this lesson, you will learn
how to illustrate the properties of random variables and compute probabilities corresponding
to it.

LEARNING SKILLS FROM THE MELCs and OBJECTIVES

At the end of this activity sheet, you are expected to:

• Describe the properties of random variables and binomial distribution.

• Analyze problems involving probability distribution of random variables.
• Compute probabilities corresponding to a given random variable
(M11/12SP-IIIa-6).

ACTIVITIES: LET US REVIEW

Discrete Random Variables represent the number of distinct values that can be counted
of an event.
Continuous Random Variables take on uncountably infinite number of possible
outcomes within a specified real number interval.
Properties of Discrete Random Variables
A discrete random variable is defined by its probability distribution function.
Outcome of an Experiment Probability of Each Outcome
𝑥1 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥1 )
𝑥2 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥2 )
𝑥3 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥3 )
𝑥𝑛 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥𝑛 )
The sum of the probabilities of a discrete random variable is always equal to 1.

RANDOM VARIABLES AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS 2

 ACTIVITIES: LET US STUDY

Example 1
No. of Typhoons Per Month
0 1 2 3 4
(𝒙)
Probability
0.15 0.35 0.30 0.10 0.10
𝑷(𝑿 = 𝒙)

The range of 𝑥 is {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}. The total probability is 1.

That is:
𝑃(𝑋 = 0) + 𝑃(𝑋 = 1) + 𝑃(𝑋 = 2) + 𝑃(𝑋 = 3) + 𝑃(𝑋 = 4)
0.15 + 0.35 + 0.30 + 0.10 + 0.10 = 1.0
Example 2
A certain company recently opened some job opportunities. The probability of
hiring 𝑋 additional employees among the applicants is as shown:

No. of Additional Employees

1 2 3 4 5
(𝒙)
Probability
0.10 0.15 0.16 0.29 0.30
𝐏(𝑿 = 𝒙)

a. What is the range of the number of additional employees?

b. What is P(𝑋 ≤ 2)?
c. What is P(3 < 𝑋 < 6)?
Solution:

a. The range of 𝑥 is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

b. When we say P(𝑋 ≤ 2), we will get the probability of 1 to 2 additional employees.
𝑃 (𝑋 ≤ 2 ) = 𝑃 (𝑋 = 1 ) + 𝑃 ( 𝑋 = 2 )
𝑃(𝑋 ≤ 2) = 0.10 + 0.15
𝑷(𝑿 ≤ 𝟐) = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓
c. When we say P(3 < 𝑋 < 6), we will get the probability of 4 to 5 additional
employees.
𝑃 (3 < 𝑋 < 6 ) = 𝑃 (𝑋 = 4 ) + 𝑃 (𝑋 = 5 )
𝑃(3 < 𝑋 < 6) = 0.29 + 0.30
𝑷(𝟑 < 𝑿 < 𝟔) = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟗

ACTIVITIES: LET US PRACTICE

Read and understand the situation. Answer the following questions.

The data shows the company’s probability of earning a projected profit for one year.
Solve for the average projected profit, variance and standard deviation.
Profit in Millions (𝒙) 3 4 5 6 7
Probability
0.35 0.15 0.20 0.18 0.12
𝐏(𝑿 = 𝒙)
a. What is the range of the company’s profit in millions?
b. What is 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 4)?
c. What is 𝑃(4 < 𝑋 < 7)?

RANDOM VARIABLES AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS 3

Binomial Distribution
A binomial distribution is a probability distribution with only two possible outcomes:
success and failure. Let 𝒑 = 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝒒 = 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑒, and
𝒏 = 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 performed during an experiment of getting 𝒙 success out of 𝒏 trials is
given by
𝑃(𝑥 ) = nCx ∙ 𝑝 𝑥 ∙ 𝑞 𝑛−𝑥
The probability mass function of a binomial distribution is given by:
𝑋 Success Failure
𝑃(𝑋) 𝑝 𝑞
where 𝑝 + 𝑞 = 1.
Example 1
Consider tossing a six-sided die three times. Determine the probability that 4 will
turn up:
a. 0 times
b. Once
c. Twice
d. Thrice
Solution:
1
Let 𝑝 = probability that 4 will turn up, 𝑝 =
6
5
𝑞 = probability that 4 fails to turn up, 𝑞 = 6
𝑛 = 3 tosses
a. 0 times
3!
Since 𝑥 = 0, nCx = 3C0 = 0!(3−0)! = 1.
Using the formula 𝑃(𝑥 ) = nCx ∙ 𝑝 𝑥 ∙ 𝑞 𝑛−𝑥 ,
1 0 5 3−0 125 125
𝑃(0) = 3C0 ∙ (6) ∙ (6) = (1)(1) (216) = 216
125
The probability that 4 will turn up 0 times is .
216
b. Once
3!
Since 𝑥 = 1, nCx = 3C1 = 1!(3−1)! = 3.
Using the formula 𝑃(𝑥 ) = nCx ∙ 𝑝 𝑥 ∙ 𝑞 𝑛−𝑥 ,
1 1 5 3−1 1 25 75
𝑃(1) = 3C1 ∙ (6) ∙ (6) = (3) (6) (36) = 216
75
The probability that 4 will turn up once is .
216
c. Twice
3!
Since 𝑥 = 2, nCx = 3C2 = = 3.
2!(3−2)!
Using the formula 𝑃(𝑥 ) = nCx ∙ 𝑝 𝑥 ∙ 𝑞 𝑛−𝑥 ,
1 2 5 3−2 1 5 15
𝑃(2) = 3C2 ∙ (6) ∙ (6) = (3) (36) (6) = 216
15
The probability that 4 will turn up twice is .
216
d. Thrice
3!
Since 𝑥 = 3, nCx = 3C3 = 3!(3−3)! = 1.
Using the formula 𝑃(𝑥 ) = nCx ∙ 𝑝 𝑥 ∙ 𝑞 𝑛−𝑥 ,
1 3 5 3−3 1 1
𝑃(3) = 3C3 ∙ (6) ∙ (6) = (1) (216) (1) = 216
𝟏
The probability that 4 will turn up thrice is .
𝟐𝟏𝟔

RANDOM VARIABLES AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS 4

Example 2
Five friends attended the volleyball varsity team tryouts. What is the probability that
only 3 of them will be selected if the probability of success is 60% and the probability of
failure is 40% for each of them?

Solution:
Let 𝑛 = 5 and 𝑥 = 3.
5!
Since 𝑥 = 3, nCx = 5C3 = 3!(5−3)! = 10.
Using the formula 𝑃(𝑥 ) = nCx ∙ 𝑝 𝑥 ∙ 𝑞 𝑛−𝑥 ,
𝑃(3) = 5C3 ∙ (0.60)3 ∙ (0.40)5−3 = 0.3456 or 34.56%
The probability that only three of them will be selected is 34.56%.

ACTIVITIES: LET US REMEMBER

• The sum of the probabilities of a discrete random variable is always equal to 1.

• A binomial distribution is a probability distribution with only two possible
outcomes: success and failure.
Let 𝒑 = 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝒒 = 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑒, and 𝒏 = 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠
performed during an experiment of getting 𝒙 success out of 𝒏 trials is given by
𝑃(𝑥 ) = nCx ∙ 𝑝 𝑥 ∙ 𝑞 𝑛−𝑥
• A continuous random variable takes on an infinite number of values. It uses a
formula and a graph of probability density function which are utilized to illustrate
the probability values.

ACTIVITIES: LET US PRACTICE MORE

Now, are you ready? Can you show how to compute for the probability in this given
situation? You can do it!
A basketball team has to play 3 games during the elimination round of a
tournament. What is the probability that they will win?
Solution:
1
Let 𝑝 = probability of winning the game, 𝑝 = 2
1
𝑞 = probability of not winning the game, 𝑞 = 2
𝑛 = 3 games
1
a. 0 games? P(0) = 8
3
b. 1 game? P(1) = 8
3
c. 2 games? P(2) = 8
1
d. All 3 games? P(3) = 8
NOTE: The sum of the probabilities is equal to 1.

ACTIVITIES: LEARNING TASKS

LEARNING TASK #1
I. Complete the following.
1. The sum of the probabilities of a random variable is equal to _______________________.
2. Binomial distribution is ___________________________________________________________.
3. The properties of discrete random variables are _______________ and ________________.

RANDOM VARIABLES AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS 5

LEARNING TASK #2
II. Read and analyze the problem. Give what is asked. (5 points)

A graduate from DG University has a 75% chance of getting a job in his field of
discipline. What is the probability that 5 out of 7 graduates from this university will be
hired in their respective fields?

LEARNING TASK #3
III. Read and understand each situation. Then, solve showing your complete solution.
(5 points each)

A. Given the discrete probability distribution of a certain experiment, answer the

following questions.
𝑥 1 3 4 5 10
Probability
0.30 0.20 0.10 0.15 0.25
P(𝑋 = 𝑥)

a. What is the range of the variable 𝑥?

b. What is 𝑃(3 < 𝑋 ≤ 10)
c. What is 𝑃(𝑋 ≥ 3)
B. The probability that a patient recovers from a rare deadly disease is 40%. If 15
people are known to have contracted this disease, what is the probability that:
a. Exactly 10 will survive?
b. Exactly 13 will survive?
c. At least 10 will survive?

RUBRIC FOR SCORING

CRITERIA Scale
5 4 3 2 1
1. Knowledge
-Recall of mathematical facts is evident

2. Application
-Use of mathematical operation correctly

3. Evaluation
-Accurate and systematic

REFERENCES

De Guzman, Danilo. Statistics and Probability. C and E Publishing, Inc. 2017

Nocon, F., Torrecampo, J., Balacua, M., & Daguia, W. (2000). General statistics.
Mandaluyong, PH: National Book Store.

Sirug, W. (2011). Basic probability and statistics. Intramuros, Manila: Mindshapers Co., Inc.

Prepared by: KARINE JANE B. CAMUS February 2021

RANDOM VARIABLES AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS 6