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5.random Variable

The document defines random variables and describes types of random variables as discrete or continuous. It provides examples of discrete and continuous random variables. It then discusses discrete probability distributions, giving examples of finding the probability distribution for various scenarios involving discrete random variables. It also discusses concepts such as probability density functions, cumulative distribution functions, and finding probabilities for continuous random variables. It concludes with several practice problems involving finding probability distributions and probabilities for scenarios involving discrete and continuous random variables.

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Sadman Siam
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207 views28 pages

5.random Variable

The document defines random variables and describes types of random variables as discrete or continuous. It provides examples of discrete and continuous random variables. It then discusses discrete probability distributions, giving examples of finding the probability distribution for various scenarios involving discrete random variables. It also discusses concepts such as probability density functions, cumulative distribution functions, and finding probabilities for continuous random variables. It concludes with several practice problems involving finding probability distributions and probabilities for scenarios involving discrete and continuous random variables.

Uploaded by

Sadman Siam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Random Variable

A random variable is a variable hat assumes numerical values


associated with the random outcome of an experiment, where
one numerical value is assigned to each sample point.

S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT}


Types of Random Variables
❑ A discrete random variable can assume a countable number of
values.
• Number of sales
• Number of calls
• Shares of stock
• People in line
• Mistakes per page
❑ A continuous random variable can assume any value along a given
interval of a number line.
• Length
• Depth
• Volume
• Time
• Weight
Discrete Probability Distribution
The probability distribution of a discrete random variable is a graph,
table or formula that specifies the probability associated with each
possible outcome the random variable can assume. The set of ordered
pairs (x, f(x)) is called the probability function, probability mass
function, or probability distribution of the discrete random variable X.
S = {HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT}
 

x 0 1 2 3
f(x) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
Example 3.8
A shipment of 20 similar laptop computers 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.
Example 3.8
A shipment of 20 similar laptop computers 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.

x 0 1 2

f(x) 68/95 51/190 3/190


Example 3.9
If a car agency sells 50% of its inventory of a certain foreign car
equipped with side airbags, find the probability distribution of the
number of cars with side airbags among the next 4 cars sold by
the agency.
Example 3.9
If a car agency sells 50% of its inventory of a certain foreign car
equipped with side airbags, find the probability distribution of the
number of cars with side airbags among the next 4 cars sold by
the agency.

x 0 1 2 3 4
f(x) 1/16 1/4 3/8 1/4 1/16
Example 3.10
Find the cumulative distribution function of the random variable X in
Example 3.9.
x 0 1 2 3 4
f(x) 1/16 1/4 3/8 1/4 1/16
x 0 1 2 3 4
f(x) 1/16 1/4 3/8 1/4 1/16
 
Example 3.11
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

(a) Verify that f(x) is a density function.


(b) Find P(0 < X ≤ 1).
Example 3.12
For the density function of Example 3.11, find F(x), and use it to evaluate
P(0 < X ≤ 1).
Problem 1
A shipment of 7 television sets contains 2 defective sets. A hotel
makes a random purchase of 3 of the sets. If x is the number of
defective sets purchased by the hotel, find the probability
distribution of X. Express the probability distribution graphically
as a probability histogram.
Problem 2
Find the probability distribution for the number of jazz CDs when
4 CDs are selected at random from a collection consisting of 5
jazz CDs, 2 classical CDs, and 3 rock CDs.
Problem 3
From a box containing 4 black balls and 2 green balls, 3 balls are
drawn in succession, each ball being replaced in the box before
the next draw is made. Find the probability distribution for the
number of green balls.
Problem 4
From a box containing 4 dimes and 2 nickels, 3 coins are selected
at random without replacement. Find the probability distribution
for the total number of nickels of the 3 coins. Express the
probability distribution graphically as a probability histogram.
Problem 5
The shelf life, in days, for bottles of a certain prescribed medicine is
a random variable having the density function.

Find the probability that a bottle of this medicine will have a shell
life of
(a) at least 200 days;
(b) anywhere from 80 to 120 days.
Problem 6
The total number of hours, measured in units of 100 hours, that a
family runs a vacuum cleaner over a period of one year is a
continuous random variable X that has the density function

Find the probability that over a period of one year, a family runs
their vacuum cleaner
(a) less than 120 hours;
(b) between 50 and 100 hours.
Problem 7
The proportion of people who respond to a certain mail-order
solicitation is a continuous random variable X that has the density
function

(a) Show that P(0 < X < 1) = 1.


(b) Find the probability that more than 1/4 but fewer than 1/2 of
the people contacted will respond to this type of solicitation.
Problem 8
A continuous random variable X that can assume values between
x = 1 and x = 3 has a density function given by f(x) = 1/2.
(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).
Problem 9
A continuous random variable X that can assume values
between x = 2 and x = 5 has a density function given by
f(x) = 2(1 + x)/27. Find
(a) P(X <4);
(b) P(3 ≤X <4).
Problem 10
Consider the density function

(a) Evaluate k.
(b) Find F(x) and use it to evaluate P(0.3 < X < 0.6).
Problem 11
An important factor in solid missile fuel is the particle size distribution. Significant
problems occur if the particle sizes are too large. From production data in the past, it
has been determined that the particle size (in micrometers) distribution is characterized
by

(a) Verify that this is a valid density function.


(b) Evaluate F(x).
(c) What is the probability that a random particle from the manufactured fuel exceeds 4
micrometers?
Problem 12
Measurements of scientific systems are always subject to variation, some
more than others. There are many structures for measurement error, and
statisticians spend a great deal of time modeling these errors. Suppose the
measurement error X of a certain physical quantity is decided by the
density function

(a) Determine k that renders f(x) a valid density function.


(b) Find the probability that a random error in measurement is less than
1/2.
Problem 13
On a laboratory assignment, if the equipment is working, the density
function of the observed outcome, X, is

(a) Calculate P(X ≤ 1/3).


(b) What is the probability that X will exceed 0.5?
(c) Given that X ≥ 0.5, what is the probability that X will be less than 0.75?

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