Discrete random variables and i) exactly two

probability distribution ii) zero to two

iii) more than one
 Random variable is a variable
Abdullah Khaled
whose value iv) at most one
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determined by the outcome of a random experiment. Solution

 Discrete random variable A random variable (i) P (exactly 2 breakdowns) = P (x = 2) = .35

that assumes countable values is called a discrete random
(ii) P (0 to 2 breakdowns) = P (0 < x < 2)
variable. = P (x = 0) + P (x = 1) + P (x = 2) = 0.15
+ 0.20 +0.35 = .70
Examples of discrete random variables are: (iii) P (more than 1 breakdown) = P (x > 1)
1. The number of cars sold at a dealership during a = P (x = 2) + P (x = 3) = 0.35 + 0.30 = 0.65
given month (iv) P (at most 1 breakdown) = P (x < 1)
2. The number of people coming to a theater on a = P (x = 0) + P (x = 1) = 0.15 + 0.20 = 0.35
certain day
3. The number of shoe pairs a person owns  Mean of a discrete random variable
4. The number of complaints received at the office of an The mean of a discrete random variable x is the value that
airline on a given day is expected to occur per repetition, on average, if an
5. The number of customers visiting a bank during any experiment is repeated a large number of times. It is
given hour
denoted by µ and calculated as x̄ = ∑ x P(x), The
6. The number of heads obtained in three tosses of a
mean of a discrete random variable x is also called
coin
expected value and denoted by E(x), E(x) = ∑x P(x).
 Continuous random variables A random
variable that can assume any value contained in one or EXAMPLE 2 In this table, x represents the number of
more intervals. breakdowns for a machine during a given week and P(x) is the
Because the number of values contained in any interval is probability of the corresponding value of
infinite, the possible number of values that a continuous
x P (x)
x. 0 .15
random variable can assume is also infinite.
1 .20
Examples of continuous random variables: 2 .35
1. The height of a person 3 .30
2. The time taken to complete an examination
3. The amount of milk in a gallon (note that we do not
expect a gallon to contain exactly-one gallon of milk Find the mean no. of breakdowns per week for this machine.
but either slightly more or slightly less than a gallon) Solution
4. The weight of a baby
5. The price of a house x P(x) x P(x)
0 .15 0 (0.15) = 0
 Probability distribution of a discrete random variable 1 .20 1 (0.20) = 0.20
The probability distribution of a discrete random variable 2 .35 2 (0.35) = 0.70
lists all the possible values that the random variable can 3 .30 3 (0.30) = 0.90
assume and their corresponding probabilities. Total ∑ x P(x) = 1.80

 Two characteristics of its Probability distribution

The probability distribution of a discrete random variable
The mean is x̄ = ∑ x P(x) = 1.80
possesses the following two conditions:
1. 0 < P(x) < 1 for each value of x  Standard deviation of a discrete random variable
2. ∑P(x) = 1 The standard deviation of a discrete random variable
x measures the spread of its probability distribution
EXAMPLE 1 The following table lists the probability
and is computed as:
distribution of the number of breakdowns per week for a
machine based on past data. s= √ Σ X 2 P ( x )−(x̄ )2
Breakdowns per week 0 1 2 3  A higher value for the standard deviation of a
Probability .15 .20 .35 .30 discrete random variable indicates that x can assume
values over a larger range about the mean.
 Note that the variance S2 of a discrete random
Find the probability that the number of breakdowns for variable is obtained by squaring its standard
this machine during a given week is deviation.
 As it is obtained by taking the positive square root,
its value is never negative.
EXAMPLE
Abdullah3 Khaled
Electronics manufactures computer parts
& Bedoo.zsc@gmail.com
that are supplied to many computer companies. Despite EXAMPLE 4 In response to the question "Where do you
the fact that two quality control inspectors at Electronics shop most often?" as part of a survey conducted by Self
check every part for defects before it is shipped to magazine, 20% of the respondents said at discount
another company, a few defective parts do pass through stores. Assume that this result is true for the population
these inspections undetected. Let x denote the number of of all shoppers.
defective computer parts in a shipment of 400. The A random sample of six shoppers is selected answer the
following table gives the probability distribution of x. following:
(a) Find the probability that, exactly three persons in this
x 0 1 2 3 4 5 sample shop at discount stores most often.
P (x) .02 .20 .30 .30 .10 .08 (b) Find the probability that at most two persons in this sample
shop at discount stores most often.
Solution (c) Find the probability that at least three persons in this
sample shop at discount stores most often.
x P(x) X.P(X) X2 X2 P(X) (d) Find the probability that one to three persons in this sample
0 .02 .00 0 .00 shop at discount stores most often.
1 .20 .20 1 .20 Solution
2 .30 .60 4 1.20
n = 6, x = 3, p = P = .20
3 .30 .90 9 2.70
4 .10 .40 16 1.60
5 .08 .40
∑ X P(X) = 2.50
25 2.00
∑ X P(X) = 7.70
2
(a) P (x = 3) = (63) (.2) 3 (.8) 3 = 0.0819

S= √ ∑ x P ( x )− ( x̄ ) = √ 7.70−(2.50) = √ 1.45=1.20 defective(b) P (at most 2) = P (0 or 1 or 2) = (x ≤ 2) = P (x = 0) +

2 2 2
parts
A given shipment of 400 computer parts is expected to
contain an average of 2.50 defective parts with a
P (x = 1) + P (x = 2) =
6
0 ()
(0.2)0(.8)6 +
6
1 ()
(.2)1(.8)

standard deviation of 1.20. 5+

6
2()
(.2)2(.8) 4 = .9011

 Binomial probability distribution

The variable must be a discrete random variable and
each repetition of the experiment must result in one
of two possible outcomes.
 Conditions of binomial experiment
1. There are n identical trials.
2. Each trial has only two possible outcomes.
3. The probabilities of the two outcomes
remain constant.
4. The trials are independent.
 Binomial formula
For a binomial experiment, the probability of
exactly x successes in n trials is given by the
binomial formula:
()
P ( x )= n P q
x
x n− x
Where: n = total number of trials, p = probability of
success, q = 1  p = probability of failure, x =
number of successes in n trials, and n – x = number
of failures in n trials.
(c) P (at least 3) = P (3 or 4 or 5 or 6) = P (x = 3) +
P (x = 4) + P (x = 5) +P (x = 6) = .0989
(d) P (1 to 3) = P (x = 1) + P (x = 2) + P (x = 3) = .3932
+ .2458 + .0819 = .7209
 Mean and standard deviation of Binomial
probability
x̄ = np .. s = √ npq where: n = the total number
of trials, p = the probability of success, and q is
the probability of failure.
EXAMPLE 5 In a Time/CNN poll conducted 58% of
adult Americans said that human cloning is morally
wrong. Assume that this result holds true for the current
population of adult Americans. A sample of 25 adult
Americans is selected. Let x denote the number of adults
in this sample who hold this view. Find the mean and
standard deviation of the probability distribution of x.
Solution
n = 25, p = .58, and q = .42

x = np = 25 (.58) = 14.50
 s = √ npq = √ (25)(.58)(.42)= 2.47

 Poisson probability distribution

The Poisson probability distribution is applied to
experiments with random and independent
occurrences. Each breakdown is called an Khaled & Bedoo.zsc@gmail.com
Abdullah
occurrence in Poisson probability distribution
terminology.

 Conditions of Poisson probability distribution

1. x is a discrete random variable.
2. The occurrences are random.
3. The occurrences are independent

 Poisson formula
According to the Poisson probability
distribution, the probability of x occurrences in
x −λ
λ e
an interval is P (x) = ,Where λ is the
x!
mean number of occurrences in that interval and
e is approximately 2.71828.

EXAMPLE 6 According to American Demographic, 18-

to 24-year-olds make an average of 6.9 visits per month
to shopping malls. Assuming that this mean holds true
for the current population of all persons aged 18 to 24
and that the conditions of the Poisson probability
distribution are satisfied, find the probability that a
randomly selected 18- to 24-year-old made exactly 5
visits during a month to shopping malls.
Solution
x −λ 5 −6.9
(6.9) e
P (x =5) = λ e = =0.1314
x! 5!

 Remember: One important point to remember about

the Poisson probability distribution is that the
intervals for λ and x must be equal. If they are not,
the mean λ should be redefined to make them equal.

 Mean and Standard deviation of Poisson

probability Distribution
x̄ = λ , S2 = λ , s = √ λ