MODULE 2

Constructing Probability Distribution

Subject Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to:

• Illustrate a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties;
• Compute probabilities corresponding to a given random variable; and
• Construct the probability mass function of a discrete random variable.

Start-up Activity

Decision-making is an important aspect in business, education, insurance, and other

real-life situations. Many decisions are made by assigning probabilities to all possible
outcomes pertaining to the situation and then evaluating the results. For instance, an
insurance company might be able to assign probabilities to the number of vehicles a family
owns. This information will help the company in making decisions regarding future financial
situations. This situation requires the use of random variable and probability distribution.

Subject Content

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
Y.
Solution:
Steps Solution
1. Determine the sample space. Let H The sample space for the experiment is:
represent head and T represent tail. 𝑆 = {𝑇𝑇𝑇, 𝑇𝑇𝐻, 𝑇𝐻𝑇, 𝐻𝑇𝑇, 𝐻𝐻𝑇, 𝐻𝑇𝐻, 𝑇𝐻𝐻, 𝐻𝐻𝐻}
2. Count the number of tails in each Value of the
Possible
outcome in the sample space assig Random Variable
Outcomes
this number to this outcome. (number of tails)
TTT 3
TTH 2
THT 2

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 HTT 2
HHT 1
HTH 1
THH 1
HHH 0
3. There are four possible values of the
random variable Y representing the
Number of Tails Y Probability P(Y)
number of tails. These are 0, 1, 2
and 3. Assign probability values 1
0
P(Y) to each of the random variable. 8

• These are 8 possible outcomes and

3
1
no tail occurs once, so the 8
probability that we shall assign to
3
the random variable 0 is 1⁄8 2
8
• There are 8 possible outcomes and
1
1 tail occurs three times, so the 3
8
probability that we shall assign to
the random variable 1 is 3⁄8

• There are 8 possible outcomes and

2 tails occurs three times, so the
probability that we shall assign to
the random variable 2 is 3⁄8

• These are 8 possible outcomes and

3 tails occur once, so the
probability that we shall assign to
the random variable 3 is 1⁄8

Table 1.1. The Probability Distribution or the Probability Mass Function of Discrete
Random Variable Y
Number of Tails (Y) 0 1 2 3
1 3 3 1
Probability P(Y)
8 8 8 8

Number of Blue Balls

Two balls are drawn in succession without 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 The sample space for the experiment is:
represent the blue ball and R 𝑆 = {𝑅𝑅, 𝑅𝐵, 𝐵𝑅, 𝐵𝐵}
represent the red ball.

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 2. Count the number of tails in each Value of the
Possible
outcome in the sample space assig Random Variable
Outcomes
this number to this outcome. (number of tails)
RR 0
RB 1
BR 1
BB 2
3. There are three possible values of
the random variable Z representing
Number of Blue
the number of blue balls. These are Probability P(Z)
Balls Z
0, 1, and 2. Assign probability
values P(Z) to each of the random 1
0
variable. 4

• These are 4 possible outcomes and 2

1
no blue occurs once, so the 4
probability that we shall assign to
1
the random variable 0 is 1⁄4 2
4
• There are 4 possible outcomes and
1 blue ball occurs two times, so the
probability that we shall assign to
the random variable 1 is 2⁄4 𝑜𝑟 1⁄2

• There are 4 possible outcomes and

2 blue balls occurs three times, so
the probability that we shall assign
to the random variable 2 is 1⁄4

Table 1.2. The Probability Distribution or the Probability Mass Function of Discrete
Random Variable Z
Number of Blue Balls (Z) 0 1 2
1 2 1
Probability P(Z)
4 4 4

Summary:
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.
Properties of a Probability Distribution
1. The probability of each value of the random variable must be between or equal to
0 and 1. In symbol, we write it as 0 ≤ 𝑃(𝑋) ≤ 1.
2. The sum of the probabilities of all values of the random variable must be equal to
1. In symbol, we write it as ∑ 𝑃(𝑋) = 1.

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 Self-Reflection

Encircle
your
answer

FORM
Read each statement and check ( ) the box that reflects your work
today.
Name: Date:

Section:

Strongly Strongly
Agree Disagree
Agree Disagree

1. I found this work interesting.

2. I make a strong effort.
3. I am proud of the results.
4. I understood all the
instructions.
5. I followed all the steps.
6. I learned something new.
7. I feel ready for the next
assignment.
www.ldatschool.ca/executive-function/self-assessment/

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 Self-Assessment

A. Construct the probability distribution for the random variables described in each of
the following situations.
1. Four coins are tossed. Let Z be the random variable representing the number of the
heads that occur. Find the values of the random variable Z.
2. A shipment of five computers contains two that are slightly defective. If a retailer
receives three of these computers at random, list the elements of the sample space S
using the letters D and N for defective and non-defective computers, respectively. To
each sample point assign a value x of the random variable X representing the
number of the computers purchased by the retailer which are slightly defective.

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