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Random Variables and Probability Distributions (Example and Exercises, Walpole, 8 Edition)

1) The document discusses random variables, probability distributions, and statistical experiments. It defines key terms like random variables, sample space, discrete and continuous random variables. 2) Random variables can take on numerical values from a sample space. Probability distributions assign probabilities to each possible value of a random variable. Discrete distributions have a finite sample space while continuous distributions have an infinite sample space. 3) Examples are provided to illustrate discrete and continuous probability distributions, including tossing a coin, error in temperature measurements, and bond maturity times. Formulas for probability mass functions and probability density functions are defined.

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Akhmal Rizal
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152 views6 pages

Random Variables and Probability Distributions (Example and Exercises, Walpole, 8 Edition)

1) The document discusses random variables, probability distributions, and statistical experiments. It defines key terms like random variables, sample space, discrete and continuous random variables. 2) Random variables can take on numerical values from a sample space. Probability distributions assign probabilities to each possible value of a random variable. Discrete distributions have a finite sample space while continuous distributions have an infinite sample space. 3) Examples are provided to illustrate discrete and continuous probability distributions, including tossing a coin, error in temperature measurements, and bond maturity times. Formulas for probability mass functions and probability density functions are defined.

Uploaded by

Akhmal Rizal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Random variables and probability distributions

(Example and Exercises, Walpole, 8th edition)

 Statistics = making inferences about populations & population characteristics.


 A statistical experiment = process by which several chance observations are
generated. The outcome is assumed by the random variable.
 A random variable, Y, = function that associates a real number, y, with each
element in the sample space.

Example
2 balls are drawn in succession without replacement from an urn containing 4 red
balls, and 3 black balls. The possible outcomes and the values y of the random
variable Y, where Y is the number of red balls, are

Discrete sample space = a sample space that contains a finite number of


possibilities.
Example
Throwing of a dice until “5” occurs, what is the sample space?

Continuous sample space = a sample space that contains an infinite number of


possibilities equal to the number of points on a line segment.
Example
Distances of a certain automobile will travel over a test course on 5 litres of petrol.
The distances measured have an infinite number of possible distances, measured to
any degree.

1
Discrete Probability Distributions
(Example and Exercises, Walpole, 8th edition)
A discrete random variable assumes each of its values with a certain probability.

Example
Tossing of a coin three times

A probability function, probability mass function or probability distribution of the


discrete random variable, X, is the set ordered in pairs  x, f ( x )  where

f ( x)  0,  f ( x)  1 .

Example
A shipment of 8 similar microcomputers to a retail outlet contains 3 that are
defective. If a school makes a random purchase of 2 of these computers, find the
probability distribution for the number of defectives.

2
The cumulative distribution, F (x) , of a discrete random variable, X, with
probability distribution, f (x) , is

Refer to page 38,

In graphic form,  x, f ( x)  ,
Bar chart Probability histogram Discrete cumulative distribution

3
Continuous Probability Distribution
(Example and Exercises, Walpole, 8th edition)

 Infinite points occurring between two values of discrete numbers in a


continuous random distribution and the probability of zero is assigned to such
event.
 However if we deal with an interval rather than point values, then we can
compute the probabilities.

The probability distribution of a continuous random variable cannot be presented in


a tabular form, but it can be stated as a formula. It is represented by a functional
notation f (x) for a continuous variable, X. f (x) is known as the probability
density function or density function of X.

4
Example
Suppose that the error in the reaction temperature, in °C for a controlled laboratory
experiment is a continuous random variable, X, having the probability density
function,

x2 
  1  x  2
f ( x)   3 
0 elsewhere 


a) verify that  f ( x)  dx  1


b) Find P(0  X  1)

Exercise
1. A continuous random variable X that can assume values between x = 1 and x
1
= 3 has a density function given by f ( x)  .
2
(a) Show that the area under the curve is equal to 1,
(b) Find P(2 < X < 2.5),
(c) Find P(X ≤ 1.6).

5
Exercise
2. An investment firm offers its customers municipal bonds that mature after
varying numbers of years. Given that the cumulative d istribution of T, the
number of years to maturity for a randomly selected bond is,

0, t 1 
1 
 , 1 t  3
4 
1
 

F (t )   , 3  t  5
2 
3 
 4 , 5  t  7
 

1, t  7 

Find
(a) P (T = 5);
(b) P (T > 3);
(c) P (1.4 < T < 6).

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