Ateneo de Davao University

Senior High School

Km. 7, MacArthur Highway Bangkal, Talomo, Davao City
A.Y: 2021-2022

Welcome to Statistics and Probability Subject!

Subject: Statistics and Probability

Year level: Grade 11
Semester/Grading Period: 2nd Sem
Lecture Note no.: 1
Week/Session: Week 1-2

Topic: Computing the Mean, Variance & Standard Deviation of Random Variables

Lecture/Examples
Identify the probability of the following events.
• Two tails after tossing a coin twice:
Let H = Head and T = Tails: HH, HT, TH, TT
Probability: ¼ or 25%
• Rolling a 3 and drawing a king from a standard deck of cards
Probability: (1/6)(4/52) = 1/78 or 1.28%
• Drawing a heart card
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace
Probability : 13/52 = ¼ or 25%

Definition: A random variable is a function that associates a real number to each element in
the sample space. It is a variable whose values are determined by chance.

Definition: A random variable is a discrete random variable if its set of possible outcomes is
countable. It is represented by count data. A random variable is a continuous random variable
if it takes on values on a continuous scale. It is represented by measured data like height,
weight, temperature. It is not defined at specific values but by an interval of values.

Discrete - discrete variables can take on only certain values and it must not be a fraction, must be
a whole number, it must be random process (there is a limit)
Example: defective chairs produced in a factory

Continuous - can take on any value within a range of values, it is also determined by a chance
event (there is no limit)

Example:
1. The number of voters favoring a candidate
★ discrete
2. The average amount of electricity consumed per household per month
★ continuous
3. The weight of new-borns each year in a hospital
★ continuous
4. The speed of a bus
★ continuous

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5. The number of deaths per year attributed to lung cancer
★ discrete

A discrete probability distribution or a probability mass function consists of the values a

random variable can assume and the corresponding probabilities of the values.

A histogram is a graphical method for displaying the shape of a distribution. It is particularly

useful when there are a large number of observations. 

Properties of a Probability Distribution

The probability of each value of the random variable must be between or equal to 0 and 1. In the
symbol, we write it as 0 ≤ P(X) ≤ 1.

The sum of the probabilities of all values of the random variable must be equal to 1. In symbols,
we write it as ΣP(X)=1.

Determine whether the distribution represents a probability distribution. Say YES if the
data represents a probability. Otherwise, Say NO.
1.

X 1 2 3 4 5

P(X) 1/19 10/19 5/19 2/19 1/19

YES
2.

X 0 2 4 6 8

P(X) 1/6 1/6 4/6 1/6 1/6

NO
3.

NO
4.

YES

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EXAMPLE 1:
Suppose that two coins are tossed at the same time. Let Y be the random variable representing
the number of heads that occur. Find the values of the random variable Y. Construct the
probability distribution of the random variable Y and its histogram. Solve the mean, variance and
standard deviation.
Step 1: Determine the sample space. Let H represent head and T represent tail.
• Sample space: S = { TT, TH, HT, HH}

STEP 2: Count the number of heads in each outcome in the sample space and assign this number
to this outcome.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random Variable Y (no. of Heads)
TT 0
TH 1
HT 1
HH 2
STEP 3: Identify the probability of each value of the variable Y and create a Histogram to
represent the data.

Number of Heads Y Probability P(Y)

0 1/4

1 2/4 or 1/2

2 1/4
Note: ΣP(X)=1.

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STEP 4: Solve for the mean and variance of the discrete probability distribution.

Definition:

The mean of a random variable with a discrete probability distribution is given by

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
μ =  𝑋1∙𝑃 𝑋1 + 𝑃 𝑋2 + 𝑃 𝑋3 + … + 𝑋𝑛∙𝑃 𝑋𝑛 = ∑ 𝑋∙𝑃(𝑋)

Where 𝑋1, 𝑋2, 𝑋3,…, 𝑋𝑛 are the values of the random variable X; and
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
𝑃 𝑋1 , 𝑃 𝑋2 , 𝑃 𝑋3 ,… 𝑃 𝑋𝑛 are the corresponding probabilities.

Mean= 1

The variance of a discrete probability distribution is given by the formula:

2 2
σ = ∑ (𝑥 − μ) ∙𝑃(𝑥)

X = value of the random variable

P(x) = probability of the random variable X
µ = mean of the probability distribution

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Variance=0.5
Standard Deviation= 0.71

EXAMPLE 2:
Suppose that three coins are tossed at the same time. Let X be the random variable representing
the number of tails that occur. Find the values of the random variable X.

STEP 2: Count the number of tails in each outcome in the sample space and assign this
number to this outcome.
Possible Outcomes Value of the Random
Variable X
(number of tails)

TTT 3
TTH 2
THT 2
THH 1
HTT 2
HTH 1
HHT 1
HHH 0

STEP 3: Identify the probability of each value of the variable X and create a Histogram to
represent the data.

Number of tails (X) Probability P(X)

0 1/8
1 3/8
2 3/8
3 1/8
Table 1. The Probability Distribution of the Probability Mass Function of Discrete Random
Variable X

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Histogram

STEP 4: Solve for the mean, variance and standard deviation.

No. of tails Probability X•P(X) X-µ (X-µ)2 (X-µ)2•P(X)

(X) P(X)
0 1/8 0 -1.5 2.25 0.28125
1 3/8 3/8 -0.5 0.25 0.09375
2 3/8 6/8 0.5 0.25 0.09375
3 1/8 3/8 1.5 2.25 0.28125
3 6 3 12 3
Mean: ∑ 𝑋•𝑃(𝑋) = 0 + 8
+ 8
+ 8
= 8
= 2
𝑜𝑟 1. 50

Variance:
σ2  =  ∑(𝑋 − µ)2•𝑃(𝑋) =  0. 28125  +  0. 09375  +  0. 09375  +  0. 28125 ≈ 0. 75  

Standard Deviation: σ2 =  σ = 0.87

EXAMPLE 3:
Suppose an experiment is conducted to determine the distance that a certain type of car will
travel using 10 liters of gasoline over a prescribed test course. If the distance is a random
variable, construct the table of possible outcomes and value of the random variable. No

Materials and Sources

Baccay, E., Belecina, R., & Mateo, E. (2016). Statistics and Probability. Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines: Rex
Book Store, Inc.
Laerd Statistics. (2013). Histograms. Retrieved October 25, 2016 from
https://statistics.laerd.com/statistical-guides/understanding-histograms.php.
Random Variable. Retrieved October 25, 2016 from
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/.

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