Mean of a Random

Variable in Discrete
Probability
Distribution
Expected Value / Mean
- the measure of the central
location of a random variable. It is
calculated as the weighted mean of
the values where the weights are
the corresponding probabilities.
EXAMPLE 1. Let X be the
number of heads obtained in
tossing a coin. Find the
expected value of the number
of heads.
EXAMPLE 2. Suppose a die is tossed.
Find the expected number of dots on the
upturned face of the die.

EXAMPLE 3. Suppose that in a day, the

probability of a car agent’s not closing
any deal is .35. On the other hand, the
probability that s/he can close one deal
is .3; two deals, .25; and three deals, .1.
Find the agent’s expected number of
closed deals in a day.
ANSWER. Computing the Mean
Statistics and Probability Book.
Exercises. Pages 27-29,
A. Odd items – Girls
Even items – Boys
B. Odd items – Boys
Even items – Girls
C. #1 – Girls
#2 - Boys
VARIANCE OF A RANDOM VARIABLE
- A measure of variability or the
spread of the values for a random
variable X. The variance measures
the degree of spread of the different
values of the random variable about
its expected value or mean.
 - expected value or mean of the
random variable X.
- variance of the random
variable X.

A large measure of variability means that the

random variable values are far from the
expected value or mean.
STANDARD DEVIATION
— A measure which indicates the
average distance of the observations
from the mean of the data set.
— A number that indicates how the
data values are scattered about the
mean of the distribution.
— Square root of the variance.
EXAMPLE 4. Determine the
variance of the random variable
X given in Example 1.
(EXAMPLE 1. Let X be the number of
heads obtained in tossing a coin. Find
the expected value of the number of
heads.)
EXAMPLE 5. Using Example 2,
find the Standard Deviation of X.
EXAMPLE 2. Suppose a die is tossed.
Find the expected number of dots on the
upturned face of the die.
EXAMPLE 6. Find the Variance of
X in Example 3.
EXAMPLE 3. Suppose that in a day, the
probability of a car agent’s not closing
any deal is .35. On the other hand, the
probability that s/he can close one deal
is .3; two deals, .25; and three deals, .1.
Find the agent’s expected number of
closed deals in a day.
 APPLICATIONS OF EXPECTED
VALUE OF A RANDOM VARIABLE

EXAMPLE 7. Suppose that in

tossing two coins, you will
receive P100 if two heads
appear. Otherwise, you pay P30.
Is this game fair? Why?
 APPLICATIONS OF EXPECTED
VALUE OF A RANDOM VARIABLE

EXAMPLE 8. A school organized a fund-

raising activity for its donations to
victims of a recent typhoon. It involves
selling of 1000 raffle tickets. One ticket
costs P100. The lone winner of this
raffle will receive free tuition worth
P30,000. What is your expected net gain
if you buy one raffle ticket?
ANSWER. Computing the Variance
Statistics and Probability Book.
Exercises. Page 41-43
A. Odd items – Girls
Even items – Boys
B. Odd items – Boys
Even items – Girls
C. #1 – Girls
#2 - Boys