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Calculating Probabilities for a Discrete Random Variable Given Its Probability Distribution

The probability of a specific outcome can easily be read from the probability distribution table,
but we can also use the table to help answer questions about various events involving x.

• “At least a” means x ≥ a .

• “At most a” means x ≤ a .

• “Between a and b” means a< x< b.

• “Between a and b, inclusive” means a ≤ x ≤ b.

Example 1: Rolling Dice

d. What is P(4 ≤ x ≤ 7)
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Check you understanding

Four patients have made appointments to have their blood pressure checked at a clinic. Let X
be the number of them who have high blood pressure. Based on data from the National
Health and Examination Survey, the probability distribution of X is

Find

a. P(1)

b. P(At most 2)

c. P(At least 1)

d. P ¿

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Independent Practice

1. Let X represent the number of tires with low air pressure on a randomly chosen
car. The probability distribution of X is as follows.

a. Find P(1).

b. Find P(2 or 3).

c. Find P(More than 2).

d. Find the probability that all four tires have low air pressure.

e. Find P(1 ≤ x ≤ 3)

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2. The number of customers in line at a supermarket express checkout counter is a
random variable with the following probability distribution.

a. Find P(2).

b. Find P(No more than 1).

c. Find the probability that no one is in line.

d. Find the probability that at least three people are in line.

e. Find P(2 ≤ x ≤ 5)