Statistics and Probability

Lesson 4 – Constructing Probability Mass Function & Histogram

Every (possible) value of a discrete random variable assumes a certain probability.

Thus, probability of a random variable X (let say) can be denoted as either 𝑷[𝑿 = 𝒙] or 𝑷(𝑿).

These probabilities along with the values can be write down through Discrete Probability Distribution.

DISCRETE PROBABILITY FUNCTION

 Also referred to as PROBABILITY MASS FUNCTION.
 Can be represented through tabular or graphical form.
 Listing of all possible values of a discrete random variable along with their respective probabilities.
 Consists of the values a random variable can assume & the corresponding probabilities of the values.
HISTOGRAM
 A graphical representation that uses rectangles to illustrate the probability of the values in successive
and equal numerical interval.
 To construct a histogram:
o Plot the values of the random variable along the horizontal axis.
o Plot the probabilities along the vertical axis.

EXAMPLES:
1. Number of Tails
Suppose three coins are tossed. Let Y be the random variable representing the number of tails that
occur. Find the probability of each of the values of the random variable X.
SOLUTION:

STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample
The sample space for this experiment is
space. Let H represent head
S = {TTT,TTH,THT,HTT,HHT,HTH,THH,HHH}
and T represent tail.

Value of Random
Possible Outcomes
Variable Y
TTT 3
TTH 2
2. Count the number of tails in
THT 2
each outcome in the sample
HTT 2
space and assign the
HHT 1
number to this outcome.
HTH 1
THH 1
HHH 0
 3. There are four possible
values of the random
variable Y representing the
number of tails. These are
0,1,2, and 3. Assign
probability values P(X) to
each value of the random
variable.
 There are 8 possible
outcomes and 1 tails
occurs three times, so the
probability that we shall
assign to the random
3 Number of Tails X Probability P(X)
variable 1 is 8. 1
0
 There are 8 possible 8
outcomes and 2 tails 3
1
occurs three times, so the 8
probability that we shall 3
2
assign to the random 8
3 1
variable 2 is 8. 3
 There are 8 possible 8
outcomes and 3 tails
occurs once, so the
probability that we shall
assign to the random
1
variable 3 is 8.
 There are 8 possible
outcomes and no tail
occurs once, so the
probability that we shall
assign to the random
1
variable 0 is 8.
4. Check the obtained
probability through satisfying
the two properties of a Property 1:
discrete probability In every probability of a discrete random variable must be within the
distribution. interval of [0,1] only.
Thus,
1
P(0) = 8 𝑜𝑟 0.125 (within the interval)
Property 1: 𝟎 ≤ 𝑷[𝑿 = 𝒙] ≤ 𝟏 3
P(1) = 8 𝑜𝑟 0.375 (within the interval)
 The probability of each
3
possible outcome of the P(2) = 8 𝑜𝑟 0.375 (within the interval)
random experiment always 1
P(3) = 8 𝑜𝑟 0.125 (within the interval)
falls within the interval
[0,1].
 𝑃[𝑋 = 𝑥] os non-negative for Therefore, all probabilities are within the interval of [0,1].
all 𝑥.
Property 2:
Property 2: ∑𝑷[𝑿 = 𝒙] = 𝟏 ∑𝑃(𝑥) = 1
1. The sum of all the P(0) + P(1) + P(2) + P(3) = 1
1 3 3 1
probabilities of all the 8
+8+8+8=1
possible values of the The sum of the probabilities is 1.
discrete random variable is
always equal to 1.
 5. Label the probability mass
function.

Histogram
0.4

0.35

0.3

0.25

6. Draw the histogram. 0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 1 2 3

2. Number of Blue Balls

Two balls are drawn in succession without any replacement from an urn containing 5 red balls and 6
blue balls. Let Z be the random variable representing the number of blue balls. Construct the probability
distribution of the random variable Z.
SOLUTION:

STEPS SOLUTION
1. Determine the sample
space. Let B represent the The sample space for this experiment is
blue ball and R represent red S = {RR, RB, BR, BB}
ball.

Value of Random
Possible Outcomes
Variable Z
2. Count the number of blue
RR 0
balls in each outcome in the
RB 1
sample space and assign
BR 1
the number to this outcome.
BB 2
 3. There are four possible
values of the random
variable Y representing the
number of tails. These are
0,1, and 2. Assign probability
values P(X) to each value of
the random variable.
 There are 4 possible
outcomes and no blue ball
occurs once, so the
probability that we shall Number of Tails X Probability P(X)
assign to the random 1
1 0
variable 0 is 4. 4
 There are 4 possible 1
1
outcomes and 1 blue ball 2
occurs two times, so the 1
2
probability that we shall 4
assign to the random
1
variable 0 is .
2
 There are 4 possible
outcomes and 2 blue ball
occurs once, so the
probability that we shall
assign to the random
1
variable 0 is 4.

4. Check the obtained

probability through satisfying
the two properties of a Property 1:
discrete probability In every probability of a discrete random variable must be within the
distribution. interval of [0,1] only.
Thus,
1
P(0) = 4 𝑜𝑟 0.25 (within the interval)
Property 1: 𝟎 ≤ 𝑷[𝑿 = 𝒙] ≤ 𝟏 1
 The probability of each P(1) = 𝑜𝑟 0.5 (within the interval)
2
possible outcome of the 1
P(2) = 4
𝑜𝑟 0.25 (within the interval)
random experiment always
falls within the interval
Therefore, all probabilities are within the interval of [0,1].
[0,1].
 𝑃[𝑋 = 𝑥] os non-negative for Property 2:
all 𝑥. ∑𝑃(𝑥) = 1
P(0) + P(1) + P(2) = 1
Property 2: ∑𝑷[𝑿 = 𝒙] = 𝟏 1 1 1
 The sum of all the probabilities 4
+2+4=1
of all the possible values of the The sum of the probabilities is 1.
discrete random variable is
always equal to 1.
 Z 0 1 2
5. Label the probability mass 1 1 1
function. P(Z)
4 2 4

Histogram
0.6

0.5

0.4

6. Draw the histogram. 0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 1 2

2. Number of Dots
Suppose you roll a fair of die once. Let X be the number of dots on the upturned face of the die.
Construct the probability mass function & Histogram of the random variable X.
SOLUTION:

Sample Space: S =

Value of Random
Possible Outcomes
Variable X
1
2
3
4
5
6

Possible Values: X = {1,2,3,4,5,6}

Probability Mass Function

X 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 1 1 1 1 1
P(X)
6 6 6 6 6 6

Property 1: 𝟎 ≤ 𝑷[𝑿 = 𝒙] ≤ 𝟏

 The probability of each possible outcome of the random experiment always falls within the interval
[0,1].
 𝑃[𝑋 = 𝑥] os non-negative for all 𝑥.
1
P(1) = 6 = 0.17 0 ≤ 0.17 ≤ 1
1
P(2) = 6 = 0.17 0 ≤ 0.17 ≤ 1
1
P(3) = = 0.17 0 ≤ 0.17 ≤ 1
6
1
P(4) = 6 = 0.17 0 ≤ 0.17 ≤ 1
1
P(5) = = 0.17 0 ≤ 0.17 ≤ 1
6
1
P(6) = 6 = 0.17 0 ≤ 0.17 ≤ 1

Therefore, SATISFIED.

Property 2: ∑𝑷[𝑿 = 𝒙] = 𝟏
The sum of all the probabilities of all the possible values of the discrete random variable is always equal to 1.
P(1) + P(2) + P(3) + P(4) + P(5) + P(6) = 1
1 1 1 1 1 1
6
+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6+ 6=1
6
6
=1
1=1
Therefore, SATISFIED.
Histogram:

Histogram
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
1 2 3 4 5 6