Random Variable Lesson 1 On STATS
Random Variable Lesson 1 On STATS
Random Variable Lesson 1 On STATS
Values of Random
Variables and
Probability Distributions for
Discrete Random Variables
1. In how many ways can a coin fall?
2. In how many ways can a die fall?
3. In how many ways can two coins fall?
Experiment – is any activity which can be
done repeatedly under similar conditions.
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KNOW MY SAMPLE SPACE
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Activity 1
Suppose three cell phones are tested at random. We
want to find out the number of defective cell phones that
occur. Thus, to each outcome in the sample space we
shall assign a value. These are 0, 1, 2, or 3. If there is
no defective cell phone, we assign the number 0; if there
is 1 defective cell phone, we assign the number 1; if
there are 2 defective cell phones, we assign the number
2; and 3, if there are three defective cell phones. The
number of defective cell phones is a random variable.
The possible values of this random variable are 0,1,2,
and 3. 7
Value of the Random Variable X
Possible Outcomes (number of defective cell phones)
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Exercise 1
Suppose three coins are tossed. Let Y be the
random variable representing the number of
tails that occur. Find the values of the random
variable Y. Complete the table below.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Y
(number of tails)
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Exercise 2
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Probability Distributions for
Discrete Random Variables
Finding Probability
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Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Y
(number of Tails)
0
1
2
3 14
Exercise 3
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Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Z
(number of blue balls)
0
1
2
3 16
Exercise 4
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Probability Distributions for
Discrete Random Variables
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Probability Distributions for
Discrete Random Variables
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Determine whether the distribution
represents a probability distribution.
Explain your answer.
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References
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Computing the Mean of a Discrete
Probability Distribution
Given the values of the
variables X and Y, evaluate
the following summations.
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The following are the scores of 40 students
in a test. Compute the mean score.
42 8
50 12
53 9
38 7
46 4
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Steps in Finding the Mean of a Probability
Distribution
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Formula for the Mean of the
Probability Distribution
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The probabilities that a surgeon operates on
3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 patients in any day are 0.15,
0.10, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30, respectively.
Find the average number of patients that a
surgeon operates on a day.
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Computing the Variance and
Standard Deviation of a Discrete
Probability Distribution
The number of cars sold per day at a
local car dealership, along with its
corresponding probabilities, is shown
in the succeeding table. Compute the
variance and the standard deviation of
the probability distribution by following
the given steps.
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Number of Cars Sold Probability
X P(X)
0
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Steps in Finding the Variance
and Standard Deviation
1. Find the mean of the probability
distribution.
2. Subtract the mean from each value of
the random variable X.
3. Square the results obtained in Step 2.
4. Multiply the results obtained in Step 3
by the corresponding probability
5. Get the sum of the results obtained in
Step 4.
Formula for the Variance and
Standard Deviation of a Discrete
Probability Distribution
When three coins are tossed, the probability
distribution for the random variable X
representing the number of heads that
occur is given below. Compute the variance
and standard deviation of the probability
distribution.
Number of Heads X Probability P(X)
0
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Seatwork/Quiz
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1. The number of items sold per day at a
retail store, with its corresponding
probabilities, is shown in the table. Find the
variance and the standard deviation of the
probability distribution.
Number of Items Sold X Probability P(X)
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2. Four coins are tossed. Let Z be the
random variable representing the number
of tails that occur. Construct a discrete
probability distribution and calculate the
mean, variance and standard deviation.