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WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Statistics and Probability
Grade 11 Quarter 3 Week 3

Interpretation of Mean and Variance of a Discrete Random Variable

Name: ______________________________________ Section: ____________________

Learning Objective

Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs)

The learner:
- interprets the mean and variance of a discrete random variable.( M11/12SP-IIIb-3)
- solves problem involving mean and variance of probability distributions.
( M11/12SP-IIIb-4)
- illustrates a normal random variable and its characteristics.( M11/12SP-IIIc-1)
Time Allotment: 4 hours

Key Concepts
The mean of a discrete random variable denoted by µ is the average of its
corresponding probability distribution. That is
𝑛

µ = ∑ 𝑥𝑖 𝑝(𝑥𝑖 )
𝑖=1
Where xi is the ith outcome and p(xi) is the probability of th ith outcome.

Measure of variability indicates the spread or variation of data values about the
mean. There are different types of measures of dispersion. Standard deviation is a measure
of variability that determines how far data is spread from the mean. Standard deviation is
found by calculating a different measure of dispersion called variance and then taking the
square root of the variance. Variance is found by taking the difference of each data from
the mean; squaring each result and finding the average of the sum of the squares.

Formula:

Variance: 𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋2 − 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇2

Standard Deviation: 𝜎 = √𝜎 2

INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Analysts frequently use the mean to summarize the center of a population or a
process. While the mean is relevant, people often react to variability even more. When a
distribution has lower variability, the values in a dataset are more consistent. However,
when the variability is higher, the data points are more dissimilar and extreme values
become more likely. Consequently, understanding variability helps you grasp the
likelihood of unusual events.

Example 1. Observe the tables below which is also given in our previous week.
Table 1
X 2 4 6 8
P(X) 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Table 2
X 2 4 6 8
P(X) 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.4
Author: Paul L. Comiling
School/Station: Buenavista National High School
Email Address: paul.comiling@deped.gov.ph
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Solution:
For Table 1: For Table 2:
𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥)
2 0.25 0.5 2 0.4 0.8
4 0.25 1 4 0.1 0.4
6 0.25 1.5 6 0.1 0.6
8 0.25 2 8 0.4 3.2
𝜇 = ∑ 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) = 5 𝜇 = ∑ 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) = 5

Variance:

𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥2 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥2 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑥)

2 0.25 4 1 2 0.4 4 1.6
4 0.25 16 4 4 0.1 16 1.6
6 0.25 36 9 6 0.1 36 3.6
8 0.25 64 16 8 0.4 64 25.6
∑ 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑥) = 30 ∑ 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑥) = 32.4

Variance: 𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋2 − 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇2 𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋2 − 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇2

𝜎 2 = 30 − 52 = 30 − 25 = 5 𝜎 2 = 32.4 − 52 = 32.4 − 25 = 7.4

Interpretation:
The two distributions have equal mean of 5, but they have different variance and
standard deviation. The more the variance becomes larger, the more the probability
distribution dispersed away from the mean. Thus, Table 2 is more scattered or spread
out from the mean compare to Table 1.

Activity 1. Compute and Interpret!

Materials: Ballpen, paper, WLAS

Directions: Compute and interpret the given data below.

1. Given the two tables below:

Table A
𝑥 1 2 3 4 5 6
𝑃(𝑥) 0.08 0.17 0.10 0.17 0.28 0.21

Table B
𝑥 1 2 3 4 5 6
𝑃(𝑥) 0.08 0.13 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.28

a. solve for the mean of vending machine A and vending machine B.

b. compute the variance and standard deviation of the two vending machines.
c. interpret the results of the two vending machine.

Author: Paul L. Comiling

School/Station: Buenavista National High School
Email Address: paul.comiling@deped.gov.ph
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The Normal Random Variable

A continuous random variable is considered normal when its values are distributed
normally, that is when majority of the values are closed to the mean with only very few
values that are extremely smaller and extremely larger. For example, in a grade 11 class,
the students have height of 170 cm or very close to that, with only a number of students
who are extremely tall or some who are extremely short. This illustrates a normal random
variable. Figure below shows the graph

Properties of the Normal Distribution

1. The graph is continuous curve with the domain X
2. The graph is asymptotic to x- axis
3. The maximum of the curve occurs x = µ
4. The graph is symmetrical about the line x = µ
5. The mean, median, and mode are equal
6. The area under the curve bounded by x-axis is equal to 1
7. The standard deviation affects the width and the height of the curve

The Standard Normal Random Distribution

The same procedure may be applied for a normal random variable. However, there might
be some sort of difficulty whe approximating areas for a normal curves because the density
function will involve logarithmic integration. To address the problem, statisticians thought
of simplifying the process by creating a table of values that gives the areas under the curve
at a specific value of the normal variable. But since the normal density function can have
any value for its mean and standard deviation, the normal variable is standardized wherein
the mean is set as 0 and the standard deviation as 1.

Example: Illustrate a normal distribution curve for random variable X with the mean=10
and standard deviation =2.

Illustration:

Author: Paul L. Comiling

School/Station: Buenavista National High School
Email Address: paul.comiling@deped.gov.ph
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As expected, the mean μ = 10 is located at the center of the normal curve. The other two
arrows point to values 1 standard deviation on each side of the mean. The point 1
standard deviation less than the mean is represented by μ − σ . Since μ = 10 and σ = 2,
this point is located at 10 − 2 = 8, as shown. The point 1 standard deviation more than
the mean is represented by μ + σ . Since μ = 10 and σ = 2, this point is located at 10 + 2
= 12, as shown.
Activity 2. Illustrate Mean and SD!

Materials: ballpen, paper, WLAS

Directions: Draw an illustration of standard normal random distribution.

1. 𝜇 = 20 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜎 = 5

2. 𝜇 = 100 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜎 = 15

Reflections

Write two things that:

I have learned that:

1. __________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________

References

Walpole, Ronald E., Ergle, William D. Introduction to Statistics, Third Edition, SAGE
Publications, 2019.

Walpole, Ronald E., Myers, Raymond H., Myers, Sharon L., Ye, Keying, Probability and
Statistics for Engineers and Scientist, Ninth Edition, Prentice Hall, 2011.
http://www.elcom-hu.com/Mshtrk/Statstics/9th%20txt%20book.pdf

Belecina, Rene R., Baccay, Elisa S., Mateo, Efren B., Statistics and Probability, First
Edition, REX Book Store, 2016.

Levine, D. (2014). Even You Can Learn Statistics and Analytics: An Easy to Understand
Guide to Statistics and Analytics 3rd Edition. Pearson FT Press

Canlapan, Ronald B.,DIWA Senior High School Series: Statistics and Probability.Philippine
Copyright 2016 by DIWA LAERNING SYSTEM INC
https://www.meta-chart/histogram#/display

Author: Paul L. Comiling

School/Station: Buenavista National High School
Email Address: paul.comiling@deped.gov.ph
 Email Address: paul.comiling@deped.gov.ph
School/Station: Buenavista National High School
Author: Paul L. Comiling
Activity 1. Compute and Interpret!
1.) a. Solve for the mean
Solution:
Vending Machine A Vending Machine B
𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥)
1 0.08 0.08 1 0.08 0.08
2 0.17 0.34 2 0.13 0.26
3 0.10 0.30 3 0.17 0.51
4 0.17 0.68 4 0.17 0.68
5 0.28 1.4 5 0.17 0.85
6 0.21 1.26 6 0.28 1.68
∑ 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) =4.06 ∑ 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) = 4.06
Mean: 𝜇 = 4.06 𝜇 = 4.06
b. Compute for the variance and standard deviation.
Solution:
𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥2 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑥2 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑥)
1 0.08 1 0.08 1 0.08 1 0.08
2 0.17 4 0.68 2 0.13 4 0.52
3 0.10 9 0.90 3 0.17 9 1.53
4 0.17 16 2.72 4 0.17 16 2.72
5 0.28 25 7 5 0.17 25 4.25
6 0.21 36 7.56 6 0.28 36 10.08
∑ 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑥) =18.94 ∑ 𝑥 2 𝑃(𝑥) =19.18
Variance: 𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋2 − 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇2 𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋2 − 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇2
𝜎 2 = 18.94 − (4.06)2 = 18.94 − 16.48 𝜎 2 = 19.18 − (4.06)2 = 19.18 − 16.48
𝜎 2 = 2.46 𝜎 2 = 2.7
c. Interpret the results
The two distributions have equal mean of 4.06, but they have different variance and
standard deviation. The more the variance becomes larger, the more the probability
distribution dispersed away from the mean. Thus, Table B is more scattered or spread out
from the mean compare to Table B.
Activity 2. Illustrate Mean and SD!
1. 2.
Answer Key
5
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Validators:

BEVERLY L. MINGKE PERLITA B. ABRENICA Lilibeth S. Apat

Principal I-Manapa NHS Principal I-Abilan NHS EPS-Mathematics

Author: Paul L. Comiling

School/Station: Buenavista National High School
Email Address: paul.comiling@deped.gov.ph