Lesson 3

Computing the Mean of a Discrete Probability

Distribution

Lesson Objective:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able

to:

1. illustrate and calculate the mean of a

discrete random variable;
2. interpret the mean of a discrete random
variable;and
3. solve problems involving mean of
probability distributions.
Lesson 3
Computing the Mean of a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Example :
Number of Spots
 
Consider rolling a die. What is the average
number of spots that would appear?

Solutions
Steps
1. Construct Number of Probability
the probability Spots P(X)
distribution 1 1/6
for the
random 2 1/6
variable X 3 1/6
representing
4 1/6
the number of
spots that 5 1/6
would appear. 6 1/6
Lesson 3
Computing the Mean of a Discrete Probability
Distribution

2. Multiply Number of Probability X· P(X)

the value of Spots P(X)
the random
1 1/6 1/6
variable X by
the 2 1/6 2/6
correspondin
3 1/6 3/6
g probability.
4 1/6 4/6
5 1/6 5/6
6 1/6 6/6

.
2. Add the Number of Probability X· P(X)
result Spots P(X)
obtained in
Step 2. 1 1/6 1/6

2 1/6 2/6

3 1/6 3/6

4 1/6 4/6

5 1/6 5/6

6 1/6 6/6

∑X · P(X) = 21/6 = 3.5

Assignment:

Do the Following:
1. find the mean of the
probability distribution of
the random variable X,
which can take only the
values 1,2, and 3, given
that P(1) = 10/33, P(2) =
1/3, and P(3) = 12/33.
Lesson 4
Computing the Variance of a Discrete
Probability Distribution
Formula for the Variance and Standard Deviation of a
Discrete Probability Distribution

The variance of a discrete probability distribution is given by

the formula:
σ2 = Σ(X - µ)2·P(X)

The standard deviation of a discrete probability distribution is

given by the formula:

where:

X = value of the random variable

P(X) = probability of the random
variable X
µ = mean of the probability
distribution
End of Random Variables and
Probability Distribution