CO QAH + MELC LW

Course Outline & Quality Assured HANDOUT No. 1

Handouts paired with MELC- in Statistics & Probability
Based Learner’s Worksheet

MELC: The learner…

• illustrates a random variable (discrete and continuous). - M11/12SP-IIIa-1
• distinguishes between a discrete and a continuous random variable. - M11/2SP-IIIa-2
• finds the possible values of a random variable. - M11/12SP-IIIa-3
• illustrates a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties. - M11/12SP-
IIIa-4
2nd
Semester: _______ Week No. _______
1 1- 4
Day: _______
LESSON: Random Variable (Discrete and Continuous)

In this lesson you will be assisted with understanding the way toward illustrating random variables
(discrete and continuous).

TOPIC 1: Illustrating a Random Variable (Discrete and Continuous)

In the study of basic probability, you have discovered that an experiment is any movement that
should be possible more than once under comparative condition. The arrangement of every possible
outcomes of an experiment is what we called a sample space. You have additionally figured out how to
mathematically list down the conceivable outcome of a given experiment. In tossing a coin, for example,
the potential results are turning up a head or a tail.

For you to begin, let us all understand that probability distributions can be illustrated or classified as
discrete probability distributions or as continuous probability distributions, depending on whether they
define probabilities associated with discrete variables and continuous variables.

A variable X whose value depends on the outcome of a random process is called a random variable.
A random variable is a variable whose value is a numerical outcome of a random phenomenon.

A random variable is denoted with a capital letter. The probability distribution of a random variable
X tells what the possible values of X are and how probabilities are assigned to those values.

A random variable can be discrete or continuous

TOSSING A COIN

As you can see in one- peso coin, it has Dr. Jose P. Rizal on one side, which we will call it as Head
(H), and the other side is the Tail (T). Toss your one-peso coin three times and record in your notebook
the results of the three tosses. In order to write the result easily, use letter H for the heads and letter T for
the tails. If the results of your three tosses are heads, tails, heads, then you will write HTH on your notebook.
Illustration:
Possible
Trial
Outcome
1 H
2 T
3 T

Situation 1: How many heads will appear if we toss 3 coins?

Continue tossing your coin and record the time. If possible, use mobile phone timer and record up
to the last minutes.
Let say in a minute, how many times the heads and tails appeared. Then, record all the possible
answers on your notebook.

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 Write all eight possible outcomes. You can do this systematically so that you do not get confused
later on.
trial Outcome
1 TTT
2 TTH
3 THT
4 HTT
5 THH
6 HTH
7 HHT
8 HHH

In this instance, there might be 0 heads, 1 Head, 2 Heads or 3 Heads.

Thus, the sample space is equal to 0, 1, 2, 3
Then this time the results or outcomes are NOT entirely equally likely.
The three coins land in eight possible ways:
X = Number of Head

Looking at the figure we see just 1 case of Three Heads, but 3 cases of Two Heads, 3 cases of One
Head, and 1 case of Zero Head.

That particular situation is a discrete variable. A discrete variable is a variable, which can only view a
countable amount of values. Thus, a discrete random variable X has possible values 𝑥1, 𝑥2, 𝑥3 ....

While to understand the concept of continuous variable, below are the examples
✓ height of students in class
✓ weight of 10 statistics books
✓ Time it takes to get to school
✓ distance travelled between classes

A continuous variable is a value that is being acquired by measuring.

A Random Variable is a capacity that connects a real number with every component in the sample space.
It is a variable whose qualities are controlled by chance. In this manner, a Random Variable is a numerical
amount that is derived from the results of an arbitrary trial or experiment. The word “random” is used often
in everyday life.

Table 1. Examples of Random Variables

Types of Random
Experiment Number X or the Random Variable X
Variable
• Record the number of hours a the number of hours an specific
specific student use their student use their mobile from
Discrete
mobile from 8:00 am to 5:00 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
pm for the past three nights
• Buying two trays of egg in the The weight of eggs in kilograms
Continuous
market
• Recording of the gender of The number of boys among the
family members in a family children Discrete
with three children
• Students will prepare for a How much time spends reviewing for
Continuous
quiz in Mathematics this quiz
5. Rolling a pair of dice Numbers appeared in a pair of dice Discrete

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 TOPIC 2: Distinguishing Between a Discrete and a Continuous Random Variable

In Algebra, “variable” means one thing - an unknown value, you’ll come across different types of
variables in statistics. Some of these are: categorical variable (variable that can be put into categories like
tooth paste brands); ordinal variable (similar to categorical variable, but there is a clear order like
socioeconomic status ); quantitative variable (a broad category that includes any variable that can be
counted 17 or has a numerical values associated with it); qualitative variable (a broad category that for any
variable that can’t be counted) and there’s a lot more variable that you may encounter in the field of
statistics, but our focused in this module, is on random variable.

A Random Variable is a function that associates a real number with each element in the sample space.
It is a variable whose values are determined by chance. Thus, in simple words, a Random Variable is a
numerical quantity that is derived from the outcomes of a random experiment.

In the experiment of tossing a coin, the number of times the coin turns up a head is an example of
random variables. Below are some examples of random variables.
a. Suppose two dice are rolled. The sum of the two numbers that face up is an example of a random
variable. This variable make take on integers from 2 to 12.
b. Suppose the spinner shown below is spun. An example of a random variable for this experiment
is the number of times that the spinner stops at number 3.

There are two types of random variables:

1. Discrete random variable is a random variable whose values represented by count data. This
happens when the set of possible outcomes from an experiment can be counted such as can be
counted such as the number of households in a barangay, thus making the values of the random
variable countable of the random variable countable just like whole numbers 0, 1, 2, 3. (examples)
Example:
• Number of heads in 4 flips of a coin
• Integers from 2 to 6

2. Continuous random variable is a random variable that takes values on a continuous scale. This
happens when the set of possible outcomes from an experiment cannot be counted but can be
measured such as height of Grade 11 students. Continuous random variables represent measured
data like height, weight and temperature.
Example:
• Time until your iPhone battery become defective
• The weight of eggs in kilograms

Now, let us try to take a look to some examples of random variables from the table below.

Table 1. Examples of Random Variables

Number X or the Random Possible Values of Random
Experiment
Variable X Variable X
Flipping a pair of Number of heads in 4 flips of a 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
Coin coin
Flipping a pair of Number of tosses until the coin 1, 2, 3, 4, …
coin repeatedly lands tails
Set of Integers Integers from 2 to 6 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Set of real numbers Real numbers from 2 to 6 2≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6
Life span of your Time until your iPhone battery 0≤ 𝑥 ≤ ∞
iPhone battery become defective

From the example in the table above, Examples 1, 2, and 3 are all discrete while example 4 and 5 are
continuous

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Example 1.
Brand Z is a company that manufactures batteries. They record the number of defective batteries
that are contained in each box before it is sent out for delivery. If X is the number of defective
batteries per box, then what type of random variable is X?

Solution.
X is a discrete random variable, and X can be a set {0, 1, 2, …, n}
where n is the total number of batteries in each box.

Example 2.
Suppose Brand Z in example number 6 wants to check the average life span of their batteries.
If Y is the average number of days that each battery lasts, then what can you conclude about
the variable Y?
Solution.
We can conclude from above, that Y is a continuous random variable. It may be assigned time
intervals that corresponds to each battery’s life span.

Because of the way the discrete random variable is defined, we can say that the range of values that can
be assigned to it is confined to the set of whole numbers. That is, a discrete random variable may NOT
take on non-integers.

TOPIC 3: Finding Possible Values of a Random Variable

Recall that a variable is an attribute that can assume different values. We use letters to denote or
represent a variable. We shall discuss variables that are resulted from an experiment by chance, called
random variables.

Example 1.
Suppose two coins are tossed, let Z be the random variable representing the number of heads
that occur. Find the values of the random variable Z.

Steps Solution
1. Determine the sample space. Let H The sample space for this experiment is:
represent head and T for tail. S = {TT, TH, HH, HT}
Value of the
2. Count the number of heads in each Possible Outcomes Random variable X
outcome in the sample space and assign (number of heads)
this number to this outcome.
TT 0
TH 1
HH 2
HT 1

So, the possible values of the random variable Z are 0, 1, and 2.

Example 2.
In a box are 2 balls - one white and one yellow. Two balls are picked one at a time with
replacement. Let X be the random variable representing the number of white balls. Find the
values of the random variable X.

Steps Solution
1. Determine the sample space. Let W The sample space for this experiment is:
represent the white ball and Y for the S = {WW, YY, WY, YW}
yellow ball.

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 2. Count the number of white balls in each Value of the
outcome in the sample space and assign Possible Outcomes Random variable X
this number to this outcome. (number of WHITE)
WW 2
YY 0
WY 1
YW 1

`So, the possible values of the random variable X are 0, 1, and 2.

TOPIC 4: Illustrating a Probability Distribution for a Discrete Random Variable and Its
Properties

It is designed to give you the appropriate ways of illustrating a probability distribution for a discrete
random variable and its properties. After determining the values of the random variable in your previous
lesson, there is a need to illustrate the probability distribution. This will also help you analyze real-life
situated problems statistically in terms of relevant questions for you to better understand them. you will
also learn how to determine if the distribution represents a probability distribution or not. The application of
the properties of probability distribution will help you arrive at the correct conclusion regarding probabilities.

Number of Defective Computers

Read and analyze the situation given below. Then answer the questions that follow.

In a computer laboratory, the teacher wants to find out if there is a defective computer.
Supposed three computers were tested at random, she asks one of her Computer System
Servicing students to list all the possible outcomes, such that D represents the defective
computer and N represents the non-defective computer. Let X be the random variable for the
number of defective computers. Then, illustrate the probability distribution of the random
variable X.

a) List the sample space in the given experiment. How many outcomes are possible?
b) Construct a table showing the number of defective computers in each outcome and assign this
number to this outcome. What is the value of the random variable X?
c) Illustrate a probability distribution. What is the probability value P(X) to each value of the
random variable?
d) What is the sum of the probabilities of all values of the random variable?
e) What do you notice about the probability of each value of the random variable?

Answer:
a) Let D represent the defective computer and N for the non-defective computer.
The sample space is:
S= {NND, NDN, DNN, DND, DDN, NDD, DDD, NNN} and there are 8 possible outcomes
b) Count the number of defective computers in each outcome in the sample space and assign this
number to this outcome. For instance, if you list NND, the number of defective computers is 1.

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 Value of Random Variable X (number of
Possible Outcome
defective computers)
NND 1
NDN 1
DNN 1
DND 2
DDN 2
NDD 2
DDD 3
NNN 0
There are four possible values of the random variable X representing the number of defective
computers. The possible values that X can take are 0, 1, 2, and 3.

c) Each of these numbers corresponds to an event in the sample space S of equally likely outcomes
for this experiment. Since the value of the random variable X represents the number of defective
computers, X = 0 to (NNN), X = 1 to (NND, NDN, DNN), X=2 to (DND, DDN, NDD) and X= 3 to
(DDD).
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑃 (𝐸) =
𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒

Assign probability values P(X) to each value of the random variable. Since the number of outcomes
1 1
is 8, the probability that 0 defective computer will come out is or 𝑃 (0) = , the probability that 1
8 8
3 3
defective computer will come out is or 𝑃 (1) = , the probability that 2 defective computers will
8 8
3 3 1
come out is or 𝑃 (2) = and the probability that 3 defective computers will come out is or
8 8 8
1
𝑃 (3) = .
8

Illustrating this in a table would give as:

Number of Defective
Probability P(x)
Computer X
1
0 𝑜𝑟 0.125
8
3
1 𝑜𝑟 0.375
8
3
2 𝑜𝑟 0.375
8
1
3 𝑜𝑟 0.125
8

You can also construct the table in this form:

x 0 1 2 3

1 3 3 1
P(x)
8 8 8 8

d) by adding all the probabilities

1 3 3 1 1+3+3+1
+ + + = =1
8 8 8 8 8

You can also use decimals in determining the sum of the probabilities
0.125 + 0.375 + 0.375 + 0.125 = 1
If you add all the probabilities, the sum is equal to 1.

e) From the given activity, you can see that the values of the probability range from 0 to 1.

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The probability distribution of a discrete random variable X is a list of the possible values of X and the
corresponding probabilities of the values. It specifies the probability associated with each possible value
of the random variable. The distribution functions of discrete random variables are concentrated as a mass
for a particular value, and generally known as Probability Mass Function.
Properties of discrete probability distribution
1. The probability of each value of the random variable must be
between or equal to 0 and 1. In symbol 0 ≤ P(X) ≤ 1.
2. The sum of all the probabilities of all values of the random variable
must be equal to 1. In symbol, we write it as ΣP(X) = 1

Example 1. Determine if the distribution below is a discrete probability distribution:

x 1 5 7 8 9
P(x) 1 1 1 1 1
3 3 3 3 3

Solution;
The distribution must satisfy that each probability value P(X) must be
a) from 0 to 1 and b) the sum of all the values of the probabilities must be equal to 1.

By adding all the values of P(X)

1 1 1 1 1 5
∑ 𝑃(𝑥) = + + + + =
3 3 3 3 3 3
1
The probability of each value of the random variable has the same value which is and this value lies
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between 0 and 1 but the sum of its probabilities is not equal to 1.
Hence, this is not a probability distribution because ΣP(X) ≠ 1

Example 2. Determine if the distribution below is a discrete probability distribution You can also express
the values of the probabilities in decimal form.

a) P(1) = 0.05, P(2)=1.01, P(3)= 0.2

5 7 1
b) P(1) = P(2) = P(3) =
3 20 2

Answer:
a) The probability of each value of the random variable does not lie between 0 and 1 because
P(2)=1.01. Therefore, this is not a probability distribution.
3 7 1 3 7 10
b) ∑ 𝑃(𝑥 ) = + 20 + 2 = 20 + 20 + 20 = 1
20
The probability of each value of the random variable lies between 0 and 1 and the
sum of its probabilities is equal to 1 or ΣP(X) =1. Therefore, this is a probability
distribution.

REFERENCES

Pierce, Rod. (3 Feb 2020). "Random Variables". Math Is Fun. Retrieved 24 May 202
from http://www.mathsisfun.com/data/random-variables.html
Malate, Jose S. Statistics and Probability for Senior High School. Vicarisg Publications and Trading,
Inc, 2017.
Lim, Yvette F., Nocon, R., Nocon, E., Ruivivar, L. Math for Engaged Learning Statistics and
Probability. Sibs Publishing House, Inc. 2016.