Discrete probability distribution

A probability density function (p.d.f) if it takes on specific values

Properties of discrete probability density functions

(i) ∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1 𝑜𝑟 ∑ 𝑓(𝑥) = 1

(ii) P(X=x)≥0

Examples 1
2
A discrete random variable has a probability function 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = {𝑐𝑥 𝑥 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
0 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
Find the value of c and draw the graph of P(X = x)

Solution

∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1

c(02) + c(12) + c(22) + c(32) + c(42) = 1

c + 4c + 9c + 16c = 2
1
c=
30

Example 2

A discrete random variable has probability function

𝑘𝑥, 𝑥 = 1, 2,3,4
𝑓(𝑥) = { , find the value of k and draw the graph of f(x)
0, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
Solution

∑ 𝑓(𝑥) = 1

k + 2k + 3k + 4k = 1
1
k=
10

Example 3

A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution given by

P(X=1) = 0.2, P(X=2) = P(X=3) = 0.1, P(X=4) = P(X=5) = c

Find the value of the constant c and draw the graph of P(X = x)
Solution

∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1

0.2 + 0.1 + 0.1 + c + c = 2; c = 0.3

Example 4

A discrete random variable has a probability function

2 𝑥
𝑘 ( ) , 𝑥 = 1, 2,3, …
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = { 3
0, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
Find the value of k

Solution
2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3
𝑘( ) + 𝑘( ) + 𝑘( ) + 𝑘( ) + ⋯.= 1
3 3 3 3

2 1 2 2 2 3
𝑘 (1 + ( ) + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯ . ) = 1
3 3 3

𝑎
Sum to infinity = 𝑆∞ =
1−𝑟

1 1
 𝑘( 2 ) = 1; k =
1− 3
3

Finding probabilities
Example 5

A discrete random variable has a probability distribution

y -3 -2 -1 0 1
P(Y=y) 0.1 0.25 0.3 0.15 a
Find

(i) value of a (ii) P(-3≤ 𝑌 < 0) (iii) P(Y>-1) (iv) P(-1<Y<1) (v) mode

Solution

(i) ∑ 𝑃(𝑌 = 𝑦) = 1

0.1 + 0.25 + 0.3 + 0.15 + a = 1; a = 0.2

(ii) P(-3≤ 𝑌 < 0) = P(Y= -3) + P(Y = -2) + P(Y = -1) = 0.1 + 0.25 + 0.3 = 0.65

(iii) P(Y> -1) = P(Y = 0) + P(Y = 1) = 0.15 + 0.2 = 0.35

(iv) P(-1<Y<1) = P(Y = 0) = 0.15

(v) mode is the value y with the highest probability, mode = -1

Example 6

A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution

X 1 2 3 4 5
P(X = x) 0.15 0.20 0.15 c 0.1
Find
𝑋>2
(i) the value of x (ii) P(X<4) (iii) P(X≤4 (iv) P(2≤ 𝑋 ≤ 4) (v) P( ) (vi) mode
𝑋≤4

Solution

(i) ∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1

0.15 + 0.20 + 0.15 + c + 0.1 = 1; c = 0.4

(ii) P(X<4) = P(X=1) + P(X= 2) + P(X = 3) = 0.15 + 0.20 + 0.15 = 0.5

(iii) P(X<4) = P(X=1) + P(X= 2) + P(X = 3) + P(X= 4) = 0.15 + 0.20 + 0.15 + 0.4 = 0.9

(iv) P(2≤ 𝑋 ≤ 4) = P(X = 2) + P(X = 3) + P(X = 4) = 0.20 + 0.15 + 0.4 = 0.75

𝑃(𝑋>2, 𝑋≤4) 𝑃(𝑋=3)+𝑃(𝑋=4) 0.15 + 0.4
(v) P( 𝑋 > 2⁄𝑋 ≤ 4) = = = = 0.6111
𝑃(𝑋≤4) P(X=1) + P(X= 2) + P(X = 3) + P(X= 4) 0.9

(vi) the mode is a value with highest probability = 4

Example 7

A discrete random variable X has a probability function

𝑘𝑥, 𝑥 = 1, 2,3,4,5
𝑓(𝑥) = {
0, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
𝑋≥1
Find (i) the value of k (ii) P(X = 3) (iii) P(X≥3) (iv) P(X≤ 3) (v) P(1< 𝑋 ≤3) (vi) P( )
𝑋<4

Solution

(i) ∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1
1
k + 2k + 3k + 4k + 5k = 1; k =
15
3 1
(ii) P(X=3) = 3k = =
15 5
12 4
(iii) P(X≥3)= P(X=3) + P(X=4) + P(X = 5) = 3k + 4k + 5k = 12k = =
15 5
6 2
(iv) P(X≤ 3)= P(X= 1) + P(X=2) + P(X = 3) = k + 2k + 3k = =
15 5
5 1
(v) P(1< 𝑋 ≤3) = P(X=2) + P(X = 3) =2k + 3k = =
15 3

(vi) P(𝑋 ≥ 2⁄𝑋 < 4) =

𝑃(𝑋≥2,𝑋<4) 𝑃(𝑋=2)+𝑃(𝑋=3) 2𝑘+3𝑘 5𝑘 5
= = = =
𝑃(𝑋<4) 𝑃(𝑋=1)+𝑃(𝑋=2)+𝑃(𝑋=3) 𝑘+2𝑘+3𝑘 6𝑘 6
Revision exercise 1
1. A discrete random variable X has probability distribution
x 1 2 3 4 5
P(X=x) 0.2 0.25 0.4 a 0.05
Find (i) value of a = 0.1 (ii) P(1≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3)=0.85 (iii) P(X>2) =0.55 (iv) P(2<X<5) = 0.5 (v) mode =3
2. A random variable x of a discrete pdf is given by P(X x) = kx, x = 12, 13, 14
Write the probability distribution and find the value of k
x 12 13 14 1
k=
39
P(X=x) 12k 13k 14k

3. A random variable Y of discrete probability distribution is given by

P(Y = 3) = 0.1, P(Y = 5) = 0.05, P(Y=6) = 0.45 P(Y = 8) = 3P(Y = 10). Find P(Y=10) = 0.1
4. A discrete random variable has a distribution
x 1 2 3 4 5
P(X=x) 0.1 0.3 k 0.2 0.05
Find
7 13
(i) value of k = (ii) P(X≥4) = 0.25 (iii) P(X<1)=0 (iv) P(2≤ 𝑥 < 4) =
20 20
5. Write out the probability distribution for each of these variables
(a) The number of heads X obtained when two fair coins are tossed
x 0 1 2
P(X=x) 0.25 0.5 0.25

(b) The number of tails, X obtained when three fair coins are tossed.
x 0 1 2 3
P(X=x) 0.125 0.375 0.375 0.125

6. A drawer contains 8 brown socks and 4 blue shocks. A sock is taken from the drawer at random,
its colour is noted and it is then replaced. The procedure is performed twice more. X is the
random variable for the number of brown socks taken. Find the probability distribution for X.
x 0 1 2 3
P(X=x) 1 2 4 8
27 9 9 27

7. The discrete random variable R has a p.d.f is given by P(R=r) = c(3 – r), r = 0, 1, 2, 3
1
Find (i) value of c = (ii) P(1≤R<3) = 0.5
6
8. A discrete random variable has probability function
4 𝑥
𝑘 ( ) , 𝑥 = 1, 2,3, … .
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = { 5 , find the value k = 0.2.
0, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒

Solutions to revision exercise 1

5 Write out the probability distribution for each of these variables
(a) The number of heads X obtained when two fair coins are tossed
S =(TT, TH, HT, HH)
1 2 1
P(X= 0) = = 0.25, P(X= 1) = = 0.50, P(X= 2) = = 0.25
4 4 4
Probability distribution table
 x 0 1 2
P(X=x) 0.25 0.5 0.25

(b) The number of tails, X obtained when three fair coins are tossed.

S = (TTT, TTH, THT, HTH, THH, HTH, HHT, HHH)

Probability distribution table

number of heads, x 0 1 2 3
P(X=x) 1 3 3 1
= 0.125 = 0.375 =0.375 = 0.125
8 8 8 8
6. A drawer contains 8 brown socks and 4 blue shocks. A sock is taken from the drawer at random,
its colour is noted and it is then replaced. The procedure is performed twice more. X is the
random variable for the number of brown socks taken. Find the probability distribution for X.
Let X’ represent blue shocks
4 4 4 1
P(X = 0) = P(X’∩X’∩X’) = 𝑥 𝑥 =
12 12 12 27
8 4 4 4 8 4 4 4 8 2
P(X=1) = P(X∩X’∩X’)+ P(X’∩X∩X’) + P(X’∩X’∩X) = 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 =
12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 9
8 8 4 4 8 8 8 4 8 4
P(X=2) = P(X∩X∩X’)+ P(X’∩X∩X) + P(X∩X’∩X) = 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 =
12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 9
8 8 8 8
P(X = 3)= P(X∩X∩X)= 𝑥 𝑥 =
12 12 12 27
Probability distribution table
x 0 1 2 3
P(X=x) 1 2 4 8
27 9 9 27
7. The discrete random variable R has a p.d.f is given by P(R=r) = c(3 – r), r = 0, 1, 2, 3

Find (i) value of c

∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1
3c +2c + c = 3
1
c=
6
1
(ii) P(1≤R<3) = 2c + c = 3c = 3 x =0.5
6
8. A discrete random variable has probability function
4 𝑥
𝑘 ( ) , 𝑥 = 1, 2,3, … .
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = { 5 , find the value k.
0, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
Solution
4 0 4 1 4 2 4 3
𝑘( ) + 𝑘( ) + 𝑘( ) + 𝑘( ) + ⋯.= 1
5 5 5 5

4 1 4 2 4 3
𝑘 (1 + ( ) + ( ) + ( ) + ⋯ . ) = 1
5 5 5

𝑎
Sum to infinity = 𝑆∞ =
1−𝑟

1 1
 𝑘( 4 ) = 1; k = =0.2
1− 5
5
Expectation of x, E(x) or mean
The expected value of x is given by E(x) = ∑ 𝑥𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥)

Example 8

A discrete random variable has a probability distribution

x -2 -1 0 1 2
P(X = x) 0.3 0.1 0.15 0.4 0.05
Find expectation, E(x)

Solution

E(X) = (-2 x 0.3) + (-1 x 0.1) + (0 x 0.15) + (1 x 0.4) + (2 x 0.05) = -0.2

Example 9

The discrete random variable Y has a probability distribution is given by

P(Y = y) = cy, y = 1 2,3,

P(Y = y) = c(8-y), y = 4, 5, 6, 7

Find (i) the value of c (ii) mean, μ

Solution

y 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P(Y = y) c 2c 3c 4c 3c 2c c
(i) ∑ 𝑃(𝑌 = 𝑦) = 1
c + 2c + 3c + 4c + 3c +2c + c = 1
1
c=
16
(ii) E(Y) = ∑ 𝑦(𝑌 = 𝑦) = 1 x c + 2 x 2c + 3 x 3c + 4 x 4c + 5 x 3c + 6 x 2c + 7x c = 64c
1
= 64 x =4
16

Example 10

A fair coin is tossed three times write out the probability distribution for the number of heads, X,
obtained and hence obtain the expected number of heads

Solution

S = (TTT, TTH, THT, HTH, THH, HTH, HHT, HHH)

Probability distribution table

number of heads, x 0 1 2 3
P(X=x) 1 3 3 1
8 8 8 8
1 3 3 1 12
E(X) = ∑ 𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = (0 x ) + 1𝑥 +2𝑥 +3𝑥 = = 1.5
8 8 8 8 8

Example 11

A family plans to have 4children. Given that X is the number of girls in the family. Find the expected
number of girls
Solution

S = (BBBB, BBBG, BBGB, BGBB, GBBB, BBGG, BGGB, BGBG, GGBB, BGGB, GBBG, BGGG, GBGG, GGBG,

GGGB GGGG)

Probability distribution table

Number of girls, x 0 1 2 3 4
P(X=x) 1 4 6 4 1
16 16 16 16 16
1 4 6 4 1
E(X) = ∑ 𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = (0 𝑥 +1𝑥 +2𝑥 +3𝑥 +4𝑥 )=2
16 16 16 16 16

Example 12

A box A contains 4 red sweets and 3 green sweets. Box B contains 5 red sweets and 6 green sweets.
Box A is twice more likely to be picked as Box B. If a box is chosen at random and two sweets are
removed from it, one at a time without replacement.

(a) Find the probability that two sweets removed are of the same colour.
P(same colour) = P(A∩R1∩R2) + P(A∩G1∩G2) + P(B∩R1∩R2) + P(B∩B1∩B2)
2 4 3 2 3 2 1 5 4 1 6 5
= 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥
3 7 6 3 7 6 3 11 10 3 11 10
24 12 20 30 42 50
= + + + = + = 0.4372
126 126 330 330 126 330
(b) (i) construct a probability distribution table for the number of red sweets removed
Let x = number of red sweets removed
2 3 2 1 6 5
P(X =0) = P(A∩G1∩G2) + P(B∩G1∩G2) = 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 = 0.1861
3 7 6 3 11 10
P(X=1) = P(A∩R1∩G2) + P(A∩G1∩R2) + P(B∩R1∩G2) + P(B∩G1∩R2)
2 4 3 2 3 4 1 5 6 1 6 5
= 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥
3 7 6 3 7 6 3 11 10 3 11 10
24 24 30 30 48 60
= + + + = +
126 126 330 330 126 330
= 0.5628
2 4 3 1 5 4 24 20
P(X=2) = P(A∩R1∩R2)+ P(B∩R1∩R2) = 𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑥 = + = 0.2511
3 7 6 3 11 10 126 330

Probability distribution table

x 0 1 2
P(X= x) 0.1861 0.5628 0.2511

(ii) find the mean number of red sweets removed

Mean = ∑ 𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 0 x0.1861 + 1 x 0.5628 + 2 x 0.2511 = 1.065

Revision exercise 2
1. A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution.

x 0 1 2 3 4
P(X= x) 1 1 1 1 1
6 12 4 3 6
Find E(X) = 2.25

2. A discrete random variable X ha probability distribution

x 5 6 7 8 9
P(X=x) 3 2 1 2 3
11 11 11 11 11
 Find the mean = 7
3. A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution

4. A discrete random variable has a probability distribution

x 0 1 2 3
P(X=x) c c2 c2+c 3c2 + 2c
Find (i) the value of c= 0.2 (ii) expectation of c=2.08
5. Find the expected number of heads when two fair coins are tossed (E(x) 1)
6. A family plans to have 3 children. Given that x is the number of boys in the family. Find
the expected number of boys (=1.5)
7. If X is a random variable for the product of the scores on two tetrahedral dice, where the
score is the number on which the die lands, find the expected score for the throw
(=6.25)
8. A bag contains 5 black counters and 6 red counters. Two counters are drawn at random,
12
one at a time without replacement. Find the expected number of red counters. ( = )
11
9. An unbiased tetrahedral die is tossed once. If it lands on a face marked 1, the player has
to pay 10,000/=. If it lands on marked with 2 or 4 the player wins 5000/= and if it lands
on a 3, the player wins 3000/=. Find the expected gain in one throw.
10. A discrete random variable X can take on values 10 and 20 only. If E(X) = 16. Write out
the probability distribution for X (P(X=x) = 0.4 and P(X=x) = 0.6)
11. A discrete random variable X can take on values 0, 1, 2, and 3 only. If E(X) = 1.4, P(X≤ 2)
= 0.9 and P(X≤1) = 0.5. Find (i) P(X=1) = 0.3 (ii) P(X =0) = 0.2
12. The discrete random variable Y has a probability distribution is given by
P(Y=y) = cy, y = 1, 2, 3, 4
Find (i) value of c = 0.1 (ii) E(X) = 3
13. A discrete random variable has p.d.f
𝑘2𝑥 , 𝑥 = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = { ,
0, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
1
Find (i) value of k = , (ii) mean = 5
127
14. A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
P(X= x) 0.11 0.17 0.2 0.13 p 0.09
Find (i) the value of p = 0.3 (ii) Expected value of X (= 2.6)

Solutions to revision exercise 2

10. A discrete random variable X can take on values 10 and 20 only. If E(X) = 16. Write out the
probability distribution for X
Let P(X=10) = a and P(X=20) = b
a+b = 1
a = (1-b)………………. (i)
10a + 20b = 16 ……. (ii)
Eqn. (i) and eqn. (ii)
10(1-b) + 20b = 16
10 + 20b = 16
b = 0.6
a = 1- 0.6 = 0.4

Probability distribution:(P(X=x) = 0.4 and P(X=x) = 0.6)

11. A discrete random variable X can take on values 0, 1, 2, and 3 only. If E(X) = 1.4, P(X≤ 2) = 0.9
and P(X≤1) = 0.5. Find (i) P(X=1) (ii) P(X =0)
Let P(X = 0) = a, P(X=1)=b, P(X=2)= c p(X = 3) = d
a + b + c + d = 1 ……………. (i)
P(X≤ 2) = a + b+ c = 0.9 … (ii)
Eqn. (i) and eqn. (ii)
d = 0.1
P(X≤1) = a + b = 0.5 ……. (iii)
Eqn. (i) and eqn. (iii)
0.5 + c + 0.1 = 1
c = 0.4
E(X) = 0 x a + 1 x b + 2 x c + 3 x 0.1 = 1.4
= b + 2c + 0.3 = 1.4
b + 2c = 1.1
b + 2 x 0.4 = 1.1
b = 0.3
a = 0.5 – 0.3 = 0.2
Hence, (i) P(X=1) = 0.3 (ii) P(X =0) = 0.2
12. The discrete random variable Y has a probability distribution is given by
P(Y=y) = cy, y = 1, 2, 3, 4
11
Find (i) value of c = 0.1 (ii) E(X) =
3
(i) ∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1

c + 2c + 3c + 4c = 1

10c = 1; c= 0.1

(ii) E(X) =∑ 𝑥𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥)= 1 x 0.1 + 2 x 0.2 + 3 x 0.3 + 4 x 0.4 =3

13. A discrete random variable has p.d.f

𝑘2𝑥 , 𝑥 = 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = { ,
0, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒
Find
1
(i) (i) value of k = ,
127
∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1
k(20 + 21 + 22 + 23 + 24 + 25 +26) = 1
1
k=
127
1
(ii) Mean = ∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = (0 x 1 + 2 x 2 + 3 x 8 + 4 x 16 + 4 x 32 + 6 x 64) = 5.01
127
14. A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
P(X= x) 0.11 0.17 0.2 0.13 p 0.09
Find
(i) the value of p
∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1
0.11 + 0.17 + 0.2 + 0.13 + p + 0.09 = 1
p = 0.3
(ii) Expected value of X
E(X) =∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 0.11x0 + 0.17x1 + 0.2x2 + 0.13x3 + 0.3 x 4 + 0.09x5= 2.61
Properties of the mean

(i) E(a) = a
(ii) E(ax) = aE(x)
(iii) E(ax + b) = aE(x) + b
(iv) E(ax - b) = aE(x) - b

Example 13

A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by

x 1 2 3 4
P(X=x) 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Find

(i) E(x) = ∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1 x 0.1 + 2 x 0.2 + 3 x 0.3 + 4 x 0.4 = 3

(ii) E(3x) = 3E(x) = 3 x 3 = 9
(iii) E(4x + 6) =4E(x) + 6 = 4 x 3 + 6 = 18

Example 14

A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by

x -1 0 1 2
P(X= x) 0.25 0.10 0.45 0.20
Find

(i) P(-1≤ X <1) = P(X= -1) + p(X = 0) = 0.25 + 0.10 = 0.35

(ii) E(X) =∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = -1 x 0.25 + 0 x 0.10 + 1 x 0.45 + 2 x 0.20 = 0.6
(iii) E(6x – 2) = 6E(X) – 2 = 0.6 x 6 – 2 = 1.6

Variance, Var(x)
Var(x) = E(X2) = [E(x)]2 where E(X2) = ∑ 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥)

Example 15

A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution

x 1 2 3 4 5
P(X=x) 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.1
Find

(i) The mean = ∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1 x 0.1 + 2 x 0.3 + 3 x 0.2 + 4 x 0.3 + 5 x 0.1= 3

(ii) Var(x)
E(X2) =∑ 𝑃𝑥 2 (𝑋 = 𝑥) = 12 x 0.1 + 22 x 0.3 + 32 x 0.3 + 42 x 0.3 + 52 x 0.1 = 10.4
Var(X) = 10.4 – (3)2 = 1.4

Example 16

The discrete random variable Y has a probability distribution is given by P(Y =y), y= -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2,3

Find: (i) value of c (ii) mean (iii) standard deviation

Solution

y -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
P(Y= y) 3c 2c c 0 c 2c 3c
(i) ∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1
1
3c +2c + c+ c + 2c + 3c = 1; c =
12
(ii) Mean = ∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = -3 x 3c + -2 x 2c + -1 x c + 0 x 0 + 1 x c + 2 x 2c + 3 x 3c = 0
1
(iii) E(X2) = (-3)2 x 3c + (-2)2 x 2c + (-1)2 x c + (0)2 x 0 + (1)2 x c + (2)2 x 2c +(3)2 x 3c = 72 x =6
12
Var (x) = E(X2) – (E(x))2 = 6 – (0)2 = 6
S.D = √𝑉𝑎𝑟 (𝑋) = √6 = 2.45

Example 17

Two marbles are drawn without replacement from a box containing 3 red marbles and 4 white
marbles. The marbles are randomly drawn. If X is the random variable for the number of red marble
drawn find

(i) Expected number of red marbles

4 3 2
P(X= 0) = P(W∩W) = 𝑥 =
7 6 7
4 3 3 4 4
P(X= 1) = P(W∩R) + P(R∩W) = 𝑥 + 𝑥 =
7 6 7 6 7
3 2 1
P(X= 2) = P(R∩R) = 𝑥 =
7 6 7
The probability distribution table
x 0 1 2
P(X=x) 2 4 1
7 7 7
2 4 1 6
E(x) = ∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 𝑥0+ 𝑥1+ 𝑥2=
7 7 7 7
(ii) Standard deviation of X
2 4 1 8
E(x2) = ∑ 𝑃𝑥 2 (𝑋 = 𝑥) == 𝑥0+ 𝑥 12 + 𝑥 22 =
7 7 7 7
8 6 2 20
Var (x) = E(x2) – (E(X))2 = − ( ) =
7 7 49
20
S.D = √𝑉𝑎𝑟 (𝑋) = √ = 0.6389
49

Example 19

A vendor stocks 12 copies of a magazine each week and the probability for each possible total
number of copies sold is shown below

Number of copies 9 10 11 12
probability 0.2 0.35 0.30 0.15
(a) Estimate the mean and variance of the number of copies
Mean = ∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 9 x 0.2 + 10 x 0.35 + 11 x 0.3 + 12 x 0.15 = 10.4
E(X2) = 92 x 0.2 + 102 x 0.35 + 112 x 0.3 + 122 x 0.15 =109.1
Var(x) = 109.1 – (10.4)2 = 0.94
(b) The vendor buys the magazine at 8,500/= and sells at 14,500/=. Any copies not sold are
destroyed. Construct a probability distribution table for vendor’s weekly profit and hence
find the expected weekly profit
Profit = S.P – C.P
 Profit for 9 copies = 9 x 14,500 – 12 x 8500 = 28500
Profit for 10 copies= 10 x 14,500 – 12 x 8500 =43000
Profit for 11 copies= 11 x 14,500 – 12 x 8500 = 57500
Profit for 12 copies= 12 x 14,500 – 12 x 8500 = 72000

y 28500 43000 57500 72000

P(Y=y) 0.2 0.35 0.30 0.15
E(Y) = 0.2 x 28500 + 0.35 x 43000 + 0.30 x 57500 + 0.15 x 72000 = 48000/=

Example 20

The table below shows the number of red and green balls put in three identical boxes A, B and C.

Boxes A B C
Red balls 4 6 3
Green balls 2 7 5
A box is chosen at random and two balls are then drawn from it successively without
replacement. If the random variable X is “the number of green balls drawn”.
(a) Draw a probability distribution table for X (06marks)
Using combination
4 6 3
1 𝐶2 𝐶2 𝐶2
P(X = 0) = [ 6 + 13 + 8 ]
3 𝐶2 𝐶2 𝐶2
1 2 5 2 1273
= [ + + ]=
3 5 26 28 5460
1
2
𝐶1 𝑥 4𝐶1 7
𝐶1 𝑥 6𝐶1 3
𝐶1 𝑥 3𝐶1
P(X = 1) = [ 6 + 13 + 8 ]
3 𝐶2 𝐶2 𝐶2
1 8 7 15 8777
= [ + + ]=
3 15 13 28 16380
2 7 5
1 𝐶 𝐶2 𝐶2
P(X = 2) = [6 2 + 13 + 8 ]
3 𝐶2 𝐶2 𝐶2
1 1 7 5 946
= [ + + ]=
3 15 26 14 4095
x 0 1 2
P(X =x) 1273 8777 946
5460 16380 4095

(b) Calculate the mean and variance of X (06marks)

1 0 1 2
P(X =x) 1273 8777 946
5460 16380 4095
xP(X =x) 0 8777 1892
16380 4095
x2P(X =x) 0 8777 3784
16380 4095
8777 1892
E(X) = + = 0.9979
16380 4095
8777 3784
E(X2) = + = 1.4599
16380 4095
Var(X) = 1.4599 – 0.9979
= 0.4642
Properties of the variance
(i) Var(a) = 0
(ii) Var(aX) = a2Var(X)
(iii) Var(aX + b) = a2Var(X)
(iv) Var(aX – b) = a2Var(X)

Example 21

A discrete random variable X has a probability distribution

x 1 2 3 4 5
P(X = x) 0.2 0.25 0.4 0.1 0.05
Find

(i) Mean = ∑ 𝑃𝑥(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1 x 0.2 + 2 x 0.25 + 3 x 0.4 + 4 x 0.1 + 5 x 0.05 = 2.55

(ii) The variance
E(X2) = 12 x 0.2 + 22 x 0.25 + 32 x 0.4 + 4 2 x 0.1 + 52 x 0.05 = 7.65
Var(x) = E(X2) – (E(X))2 = 7.65 – (2.55)2 = 1.148
(iii) Var (3x -2) = 32Var(x) = 9 x 1.148 = 10.332

Example 22

A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution given by

x 10 20 30
P(X = x) 0.2 0.3 0.5
Find

(i) E(X) = 10 x 0.2 + 20 x 0.3 + 30 x 0.5 =22

(ii) Var (X) = E(X2) – (E(X))2
E(X2) = 102 x 0.2 + 202 x 0.3 + 302 x 0.5 = 520
Var(x) = 520 – 222 = 36
(iii) Var(4X + 3) = 42Var(x) = 16 x 36 = 576

Revision exercise 3
1. A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by
x 1 2 3
P(X = x) 0.2 0.3 0.5
Find (i) E(X) = 2.3 (ii) E(X2) = 5.9 (iii) Var (X) = 0.61

2. A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by

x -1 0 1 2
P(X = x) 0.25 0.1 0.45 0.2
Find: (i) P(-1≤ X < 2) = 0.8 (ii) E(X) = 0.6 (iii) E(2x + 3) = 4.2

3. A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution

P(X = 0) = 0.05, P(X = 1) = 0.45 P(X = 2) = 0.5
 Find: (i) E(X) = 1.45, (i) E(X2) = 2.45 (iii) Var (X) = 0.348
4. A random variable X of discrete probability distribution is given by
P(X = 1) 0.1, P(X= 2) = 0.2, P(X = 3) = 0.3, P(X =4)= 0.4
2
Find (i) E(X) = 3 (ii) Var (X) = 1 (iii) P(X = 2/X≥2) =
9
5. The discrete random variable Y has a probability distribution P(Y = y) = k =1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6
1
Find (i) mean, μ = 3.5 (ii) E(3X +4) = 15 (iii) E(X2)=14.5 (iv) standard deviation = 1.708
6
6. The discrete random variable R has a probability distribution is given by
3𝑟+1
P(R = r) = ; r = 0, 1, 2, 3
22
24 61 50
Find (i) mean, μ= , E(R2) = (iii) E(3R-2) =
11 11 11
7. The discrete random variable R has a probability distribution given by
2𝑟+1
; 𝑟 = 0, 1, 2,3
20
𝑃(𝑅 = 𝑟) = { 11−𝑟
, 𝑟 = 4, 5
20
Find (i) E(R) = 2.55, (ii) Var(R) = 1.45
8. The discrete random variable X has a probability distribution given by
𝑘𝑥, 𝑥 = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = {
𝑘(10 − 𝑥), 𝑥 = 6, 7,8, 9
Find (i) constant, k = 0.04, (i) E(X) = 5 (iii) Var(X) = 4
9. The discrete random variable X has a probability distribution is given by
P(X =x) = kx, x = 1, 2, 3,…..n ; where k is a constant
2 1
Show that k = , hence find in terms of n the mean X = (2𝑛 + 1)
𝑛(𝑛+1) 3
10. A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution given by
P(X = 0) = P(X=1) = 0.1, P(X = 2) = 0.2, P(X= 3) = P(X = 4) = 0.3. Find Var (X) = 1.64
11. A random variable X of a discrete probability distribution given by
P(X = 2) = 0.1; P(X= 4) = 0.3; P(X = 6) = 0.5; P(X = 8) = 0.1. Find Var (X) 2.56

Cumulative distribution function F(X)

F(X) is given by FX = ∑ 𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥)

Note F(+) = 1 where + is the upper limit.

Example23

A discrete random variable has a probability distribution

x 1 2 3 4 5
P(X = x) 0.2 0.25 0.4 0.1 0.05
Find the cumulative distribution function

Solution

x 1 2 3 4 5
F(X)) 0.2 0.45 0.85 0.95 1

Example 24

The random variable X has a cumulative function below

 X -1 0 1 2
F(X) 0.25 0.35 0.80 1
Find the probability distribution function

X -1 0 1 2
F(X) 0.25 0.1 0.45 0.2

Example 25

A discrete random variable has a cumulative distribution

x 1 2 3 4 5
F(X) 0.2 0.32 0.67 0.91 1
Find (i) probability distribution function

x 1 2 3 4 5
F(X) 0.2 0.12 0.35 0.24 0.09
(ii) P(X = 3) =0.35

(iii) P(X>2) = P(X= 3) + P(X =4) + P(X=5) = 1- 0.12 = 0.68

Example 26

The random variable X has a cumulative function

X 1 2 3 4
F(X) 0.1 0.5 0.8 1
Find (i) mean (ii) Var(X) (iii) mode

Solution

X 1 2 3 4
P(X = x) 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.2
(i) ∑
Mean = 𝑥𝑃(𝑋 = 𝑥) = 1 x 0.1 + 2 x 0.4 + 3 x 0.3 + 4 x 0.2 = 2.6
(ii) Var(X)
E(X2) = 12 x 0.1 + 22 x 0.4 + 32 x 0.3 + 42 x 0.2 = 5.92
Var (X) = E(X2) – (E(X))2 = 5.92 – (2.6)2 = 0.84
(iii) Mode 2

Revision Exercise 4
1. A discrete random variable has a cumulative distribution
x 0 1 2 3 4
F(X) 01 0.3 0.6 0.8 1
Find (i) E(X) = 15.2 (ii) Var(X)=1.56 (iii) Var(6X + 2) = 56.16
2. The random variable X has a cumulative function below
x 1 2 3 4
F(X) 0.13 0.54 0.75 1
Find (i) P(X=2) = 0.41 (ii) P(X>1) = 0.87 (iii) P(X ≥ 3) = 0.46 (iv) P(X<2) = 0.13 (V)E(X) = 2.58
3. A discrete random variable X has a cumulative distribution
x 3 4 5 6 7
F(X) 0.01 0.23 0.64 0.85 1
Find (i) probability distribution function (ii) Var (X) = 0.9724)
 𝑥2
4. A discrete random variable has a cumulative probability function F(X) = , x = 1, 2, 3.
9
4 1 17
Find (1) F(2) = (ii) P(X = 2)= (iii) E(2X -3) =
9 3 9
5. A discrete random variable has a cumulative probability function. F(X) = k, x = 1, 2,3
Find the
1
(i) constant k =
3
2
(ii) P(X<3) =
3
(iii) Standard deviation, σ = 0.816
6. A discrete random variable has a cumulative probability function
𝑥 𝑥
F(X) = 1 − (1 − ) x = 1, 2, 3, 4
4
Find the
63
(i) F(3) =
64
3
(ii) F(2) =
4
(iii) Var (X) = 0.547

Thank you
Dr. Bbosa Science