Statistics and Probability

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: Grade 11
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 2 – Stats Subject Teacher:

MEAN, VARIANCE AND STANDARD DEVIATION OF A DISCRETE

PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
Given a probability distribution of discrete random variable X, we can compute for the mean
(also called mathematical expectation) and variance using the formulae below:

Mean (expected value) Variance Standard Deviation

𝜇 = ∑ 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) 𝜎 2 = ∑(𝑋 − 𝜇)2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋) 𝑜𝑟 𝜎 = √𝜎 2

𝜎 2 = ∑[𝑋 2 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)] − 𝜇2
*Standard Deviation is a measure of dispersion equal to the square root of the variance.

Example 1: SURGERY PATIENTS

The probabilities that a surgeon operates on 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 patients in any day are 0.15, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25
and 0.30 respectively. Compute the mean, variance and standard deviation of the random variable.

Probability Distribution or Mass Function of Discrete Random Variable X

Number of Patients (X) 3 4 5 6 7
Probability P(X) 0.15 0.10 0.20 0.25 0.30

Solution:
𝜇 = Σ[X ● P(X)] = 3(0.15) + 4(0.1) + 5(0.2) + 6(0.25) + 7(0.3)
= 0.45+.4+1+1.5+2.1
𝝁 = 5.45

𝜎 2 = Σ[X 2 ● P(X)] − (𝜇2 ) = {32(0.15) + 42(0.1) + 52(0.2) + 62(0.25) + 72(0.3)} – (5.452)

= {1.35 + 1.6 + 5 + 9 + 14.7} – 29.70
= 31.65 – 29.70
𝝈𝟐 = 1.95

𝜎 = √𝜎 2 = √1.95 = 1.40

➢ How many patients does the surgeon expect to operate in any day?
Answer: 5.45 ~ 6 patients
➢ Note: Number of patients is a discrete variable, thus cannot take the form of a decimal.

Example 2: NUMBER OF CARS SOLD

The number of cars sold per day at a local car dealership, along with its corresponding probabilities,
is shown in the succeeding table. Determine the mean, variance and standard deviation of the
probability distribution.

Probability Distribution or Mass Function of Discrete Random Variable X

Number of Cards Sold (X) 0 1 2 3 4
Probability P(X) 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2

Solution:
𝜇 = Σ[X ● P(X)] = 0(0.1) + 1(0.2) + 2(0.3) +3(0.2) + 4(0.2)
= 0 + 0.2 + 0.6 + 0.6 + 0.8
𝝁 = 2.2
𝜎 = Σ[X ● P(X)] − (𝜇2 ) = {02(0.1) + 12(0.2) + 22(0.3) +32(0.2) + 42(0.2)} – 2.22
2 2

= {0 + 0.2 + 1.2 + 1.8 + 3.2} – 4.84

 Statistics and Probability
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: Grade 11
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 2 – Stats Subject Teacher:

= 6.4 - 4.84
𝝈 𝟐
= 1.56

𝜎 = √𝜎 2 = √1.56 = 1.25

➢ How many cars will be sold in a day?

➢ Answer: 2.2 ~ 3 cars
➢ Note: Number of cars is a discrete variable, thus cannot take the form of a decimal.

Example 3: DEFECTIVE COMPUTERS

The probabilities of a machine manufacturing 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 defective computers every 24 hours are

0.15, 0.05, 0.04, 0.25, 0.01 and 0.5, respectively. Find the mean, variance and standard deviation of
the probability distribution.

Probability Distribution or Mass Function of Discrete Random Variable X

Number of Defective Computers (X) 0 1 2 3 4 5
Probability P(X) 0.15 0.05 0.04 0.25 0.01 0.5

Solution:
𝜇 = Σ[X ● P(X)] = 0(0.15) + 1(0.05) + 2(0.04) +3(0.25) + 4(0.1) + 5(0.05)
= 0 + 0.05 + 0.08 + 0.75 + 0.04 + 2.5
𝝁 = 3.42

𝜎 2 = Σ[X 2 ● P(X)] − (𝜇2 ) = {02(0.15) + 12(0.05) + 22(0.04) +32(0.25) + 42(0.01) + 52(0.5)} – 3.422
= {0 + 0.05 + 0.16 + 2.25 + 0.16 + 12.5} – 11.70
= 15.12 - 11.70
𝝈 = 3.42
𝟐

𝜎 = √𝜎 2 = √3.42 = 1.85

Example 4: Complete the table and find the mean, variance and standard deviation of the following
probability distributions:

Probability Distribution 1
X P(X) X ⦁ P(X) X2 ⦁ P(X)
1 3/10 1(3/10) = 0.3 12(3/10) = 0.3
6 1/10 6(1/10) = 0.6 62(1/10) = 3.6
11 2/10 11(2/10) = 2.2 112(2/10) = 24.2
16 2/10 16(2/10) = 3.2 162(2/10) = 51.2
21 2/10 21(2/10) = 4.2 212(2/10) = 88.2

Try solving for the mean, variance and standard deviation using the formulae in the previous
examples.

The following should be your answers:

𝝁 = 10.5 𝝈𝟐 =57.25 𝝈 =7.57

Tip: To get a more accurate answer, decimals in the solution should be until the 4th decimal. Do the
rounding to two decimal places in the final answer?
 Statistics and Probability
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: Grade 11
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 2 – Stats Subject Teacher:

Try this!
Probability Distribution 2
X P(X) X ⦁ P(X) X2 ⦁ P(X)
3 0.15
6 0.35
8 0.40
10 0.10

𝜇 = ___________ 𝜎 2 = ___________ 𝜎 = ___________

Activity: Show complete solutions for each item.

1. An investor is pondering on whether to invest in an ice cream parlor or paper manufacturing
company. He had his staff analyze the cost benefits that he would get from the two business ventures
and they came up with this report.

A. The ice cream parlor would need Php 200 000 as capital. It has a 70-percent chance of profiting
Php 200 000; a 10-percent chance of profiting Php 300 000; and 20-percent chance of losing the
capital entirely.

B. The paper manufacturing company would need Php 200 000 as capital. It has a 30-percent
chance of earning Php 800 000 and a 70-percent chance of losing the capital entirely.

Which between the two business ventures should the investor invest his Php 200 000?

2. Dr. Alan developed a test to measure boredom tolerance. He administered it to a group of 20,000
adults. The possible scores were 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, with 6 indicating the highest tolerance for
boredom. The results are shown. Complete the following table and then find the mean, variance,
and standard deviation to measure boredom tolerance of the adults.

Score X 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Frequency f 1400 2600 3600 6000 4400 1600 400
Probability
P(X)

PERFORMANCE CHECK:
3. In a survey of 250 randomly selected registered students in a summer session, 35 students were
taking 3 units, 75 students were taking 4 units, 95 students were taking 5 units, and the rest were taking
6 units. Complete the following table and then find the mean, variance, and standard deviation of
the number of units the students are taking in a summer session.
Number of Units X
Probability P(X)

Reference:

Balmaceda, J. M. et al. (2016). Teaching guide for senior high school: Statistics and Probability.
Quezon City: CHED.