Lesson Competencies

At the end of this lesson, learners should be

able to;
• Illustrate and calculate the mean of a
discrete random variable
• Interpret the mean of a discrete random
variable; and
• Solve problems involving mean of
probability distributions.
Computing the Mean of
a Discrete Probability
Distribution
 Mean of the Discrete
Random Variable X
Is the sum of the products formed
from multiplying the possible values
of X with their corresponding
probabilities.
It is denoted by the Greek symbol
“𝜇" (𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛).
 FORMULA

𝜇 = ∑𝑋 ⋅ 𝑃(𝑋)

𝜇 mean
∑ summation
𝑋 possible values of the random variable

𝑃(𝑋) The corresponding probability of the

given random variable
Number of Tails
Supposed three coins are tossed. Let X be the random variable
representing the number of tails that occur. Find the mean of
probability distribution of the random variable X

steps
1. Construct the probability distribution for
the random variable X representing the
number of tails that would appear
2. Multiply the value of the random variable X
by the corresponding probability
3. Add the results obtained in step 2
Construct the probability distribution

for the random variable X

representing the number of tails that

would appear
Multiply the value of the random variable X by the

corresponding probability

Number of Tails X Probability P(X) 𝑿 ⋅ 𝑷(𝑿)

1
0 0
8
3 3
1
8 8
3 3
2
8 4
1 3
3
8 8
 Add the result obtained in step 2

Number of Tails X Probability P(X) 𝑿 ⋅ 𝑷(𝑿)

1
0 0
8
3 3
1
8 8
3 3
2
8 4
1 3
3
8 8

𝜇 = ∑𝑋 ⋅ 𝑃 𝑋
So, the average
3 3 3 number of tails
𝜇 =0+ + +
8 4 8 obtained when doing
3 this experiment is 1.5
𝜇 = 𝑜𝑟 1.5
2
Let's try:
The probabilities that surgeon in James L.
Gordon Hospital operates on 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
patients in any day are 0.15, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25,
and 0.30, respectively. Find the average
number of patients that a surgeon operates
on a day.
Construct the probability distribution for the

random variable X representing the number of

patients that a surgeon operates on a day.

NUMBER OF PROBABILITY
PATIENTS X P(X)
3 0.15
4 0.10
5 0.20
6 0.25
7 0.30
Multiply the value of the random variable X by the

corresponding probability

NUMBER OF PROBABILITY
𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)
PATIENTS X P(X)

3 0.15 0.45
4 0.10 0.40
5 0.20 1.00
6 0.25 1.50
7 0.30 2.10
 Add the result obtained in step 2

𝜇 = ∑𝑋 ⋅ 𝑃 𝑋
NUMBER OF PROBABILITY 𝜇 = 0.45 + 0.40 +
𝑋 ∙ 𝑃(𝑋)
PATIENTS X P(X) 1.00 + 1.50 + 2.10
𝜇 = 5.45
3 0.15 0.45
4 0.10 0.40 So, the average number of
patients that a surgeon
5 0.20 1.00 will operate in a day is
6 0.25 1.50 5.45 or approximately 5
persons per day
7 0.30 2.10
Thank. you!