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Week 06 Part 4
Week 06 Part 4
Week 06 Part 4
9/27/2015
Week 06: Discrete vs
Continuous Variables
Part 4: From the Finite to the
Infinite
What differences exist between discrete and
continuous random variables?
Continuous random variables:
An RV that can take on any value in an interval
CONTINUOUS LANGUAGE
For continuous distributions, P(X=a) = 0.
eg, probability that a person randomly drawn from a
population is exactly 54.23 inches tall is equal to 0.
Onlythe probability that X falls in an interval
can be measured, and is measured as an area
under the curve.
It is possible to evaluate the likelihood that a random
person is between 54 and 55 inches tall.
Thus, P(a < X < b) is identical to P(a < X < b).
If interval limits are included in the interval or not,
the probability stays the same.
An Example
f(x)=(1/(195-100))=0.010526 Supply
Demand
80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210
The Market
f(x)=(1/(195-100))=0.010526 Supply
Demand
80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210
How likely is it that any given day they will be
unable to completely meet demand?
The area from (175 to 195) * 0.010526 =20*0.010526
=0.211
How likely is it that demand will be 140 cubic
feet at most?
+ ()
= =
Whatis Bloomington Valley Nurserys expected
demand for hardwood mulch?
+
= =147.5 ft3
By how many ft3 will the demand vary on
average?
()
= = = = . =
27.42 ft3
How likely is it that a days demand will be within 1
standard deviation of the mean?
=2*f(x)=2*27.42*(0.010526) = 0.577