Discrete

and
Continuous
Variable
LESSON 1
Random Variables
➢ is a function that assigns a numerical value to each outcome of an experiment.

➢Two types of a random variable

1. Discrete Random Variable- random variables where the observed numerical values are
produced by counting and assume whole numbers only.

2. Continuous Random Variable- random variables where the observed numerical values are
results of measuring and may take on any numbers contained within any numerical intervals.

3. Let us apply and illustrate the concepts to Table 1.

Random Variables
Players Points per No. of No. of Playing time Height (in m) Weight (in
game rebounds assists per per game (in lbs)
per game game mins)
Paul 7 2 10 3.5 1.80 170
Reymark 5 1 8 6 1.83 162
Kierway 20 7 2 7.5 1.90 195
Joerich 10 2 5 4.5 1.73 156
Scotty Mike 25 5 7 5 1.70 132.5
 Players Points per No. of No. of Playing time Height (in m) Weight (in
game rebounds assists per per game (in lbs)
per game game mins)
Paul 7 2 10 3.5 1.80 170
Reymark 5 1 8 6 1.83 162
Kierway 20 7 2 7.5 1.90 195
Joerich 10 2 5 4.5 1.73 156
Scotty Mike 25 5 7 5 1.70 132.5

➢In the said table, "Players" is considered an element, while "Points per game", "No. of rebounds
per game", "No. of assists per game", "Playing time per game (in mins)", "Height (in m)" and
"Weight (in lbs)" are the random variables. "Points per game", "No. of rebounds per game "and
"No. of assists per game" are the discrete random variables since the observation is any whole
number. "Playing time per game (in mins)", "Height (in m)" and "Weight (in lbs)" are continuous
random variables since the observation results in measuring and may take on any numbers
contained within any numerical intervals.
To summarize, the table below shows the possible values of a
random variable and its type of variable.

Discrete Random Variable Continuous Random Variable

Points per game 5≤x≤25 Playing time per game 3.5≤x≤7.5
(in mins)
No. of rebounds per 1≤x≤7 Height (in m) 1.70≤x≤1.90
game
No. of assists per game 2≤x≤10 Height (in m) 132.5≤x≤195
Probability Distribution
➢Probability Distribution is an organized tabulation of assigned probabilities associated with
the outcomes of a random variable.

➢Discrete Probability Distribution is a distribution of assigned probabilities associated with a

discrete random variable.

➢The probability value is the ratio of the frequency of occurrences relative to the total number
of occurrences.

➢A Random Variable is a function that assigns a numerical value to each outcome of an

experiment.
Probability Distribution of Discrete Random
Variable

➢The basketball team leader needs another player to be part of their team. He considered a
common selection criterion which is the points scored. Daveriel and Dolphy are the two
prospective players with the following data.

Points per game Daveriel Dolphy

0 0 3
1 2 7
2 3 6
3 5 1
Probability Distribution
Observation and Analysis derived from
the table:
➢1. In basketball, the team with the higher points wins. To select the best player between the
Daveriel and Dolphy, data on players' score points per game (at most 5 points) and the frequency
of occurrences in 20 games are gathered.
➢2. For all the possible points scored by each player, there is a corresponding probability value
that is greater than or equal to zero [P(x) ≥0] (1st property of discrete probability distribution)
➢3. The sum of the probability values associated with the corresponding outcome is equal to 1 (Σ
P(x) = 1). (2nd property of discrete probability distribution)
➢4. The probability P(x) for a random variable is between zero and one [ 0≤ P≤1]. This means that
the probability must not exceed one or have a negative value. (3rd property of discrete probability
distribution)
Observation and Analysis derived from
the table:
➢5. The probability value is the proportion of the frequency of occurrences relative to the total
number of occurrences. a. Daveriel has a very small chance that will not score in any given game,
with a probability of 0, unlike Dolphy, which has a probability of 0.15.

➢b. Daveriel will likely score higher points, with P(x ≥ 3) =0.75 than lower points P(x ≥ 2) = 0.25.

➢c. Dolphy, will unlikely score higher points, with P(x >= 3) =0.2 than lower points P(x <= 2) = 0.8.

➢d. Daveriel is a better player than Deejay based on the scored points per game
End of Lesson 1
➢Exercises for this lesson will be sent to our classwork in the Google classroom.

➢File Name Format: (DelRosario_Celest_ABM_Sapphire)

➢Thank you☺