Statistics and Probability

MEAN OF DISCRETE
RANDOM VARIABLE
Prepared By: Melissa A. Nazar
 MATERIALS
• PEN
• PAPER
• SCIENTIFIC
CALCULATOR
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
 illustrates the mean of a
discrete random variable;
 calculate the mean of a
discrete random variable;
 interpret the mean of a
discrete random variable;
 solve problems on
expected values.
LET’S TRY
Complete the table below.
x y
3 4
2 6
5 1
4 3
LET’S TRY
Complete the table below.
x y
3 4 9 16 12
2 6 4 36 12
5 1 25 1 5
4 3 16 9 12
 Lesson 1: The Mean of
Discrete Random Variable
The mean for a
probability
distribution is
computed
differently from
the mean of
frequency
distribution.
LET’S RECALL
To understand the mean of the discrete random variable
let us consider the given information below.
Direction:
Given the values of the variables X and Y, evaluate the following
summations.

X1 = 2 X2 = 2 X3 = 4 X4 = 1
Y1 = 3 Y2 = 1 Y3 = 1 Y4 = 2
Direction:
Given the values of the variables X and Y, evaluate the following summations.

X1 = 2 X2 = 2 X3 = 4 X4 = 1
Y1 = 3 Y2 = 1 Y3 = 1 Y4 = 2

 
4  
4

∑ 𝑋𝑖 ∑𝑌 𝑖
𝑖=1 𝑖=1
 4   4

∑ 𝑋𝑖=2+2+4+1=9 ∑ 𝑌𝑖=3+1+1+2=7
𝑖=1 𝑖=1
 Direction:
Given the values of the variables X and Y, evaluate the following summations.

X1 = 2 X2 = 2 X3 = 4 X4 = 1
Y1 = 3 Y2 = 1 Y3 = 1 Y4 = 2

4
 
4 

∑ 𝑋𝑖𝑌𝑖 ∑ ( 𝑋𝑖−𝑌𝑖 )
 4
𝑖=1  4
𝑖=1
∑ 𝑋𝑖𝑌𝑖=( 2)( 3) +( 2)( 1)+ ( 4)( 1) +( 1)( 2)=14 ∑ (𝑋𝑖−𝑌𝑖)=( 2−3 )+ ( 2−1)+( 4−1) +( 1−2) =2
𝑖=1 𝑖=1
LET’S
  EXPLORE
The mean of the sample or population was computed by adding the
values and dividing by the total number of values, as shown in these
formulas:
(a) for sample mean: (b) for the population mean
=() μ=
where:

is the sample mean is the sample size

μ is the population mean N is the number of population
 There are five (5) steps to be followed in computing the mean of the probability

distribution.
Step 1: Identify all possible outcomes.
Step 2: Determine the probability of each possible outcome.
Step 3: Multiply each value and its respective probabilities.
Step 4: Find the sum of their products.
Step 5: Interpret the result.
The formula for finding the mean of a discrete random variables is given by
= P(X1) + X2 P(X2) + X3 P(X)3 +…. +Xn P(Xn)
= P(X)
where X1, X2, X3, . . ., Xn are the possible outcomes and
P(X1), P(X2), P (X3) …, P(Xn) are the corresponding probabilities.
EXAMPLE

In rolling an unbiased die, what

is the average number of spots
that would appear?
Step 1: Identify all possible outcomes.

NO. OF SPOTS

6
Step 2: Determine the probability of each possible
outcome.
NO. OF PROBABILITY
SPOTS (X) P(X)

6
Step 3: Multiply each value and its respective probabilities.

NO. OF SPOTS PROBABILITY

X P(X)
(X) P(X)

6
Step 4: Find the sum of their products.

NO. OF SPOTS PROBABILITY

X P(X)
(X) P(X)

2  

3
X P(X) =
4

6
Step 5: Interpret the result.

NO. OF SPOTS PROBABILITY

X P(X)
(X) P(X)  

1
X P(X) =
2
The mean tells us that the average number
3
of spots that would appear when an
4 unbiased die is rolled is 3.5. This is correct
interpretation even though it is impossible
5
to roll a 3.5 on a 6-sided die. This sort of
6 thing often occurs with expected values.
 LET’S TRY
Complete the table below and find the mean of the following probability
distribution.

X P (X)

7
SOLUTION
X P (X) X∙ P (X)

0 0

1  

3 X P(X) =
5

7
LET’S APPLY
Complete the table below and find the mean of the
following probability distribution.

X P (X) X P (X)
0 0.17  
1 0.34  
2 0.24  
3 0.20  
4 0.05  
LET’S APPLY
Complete the table below and find the mean of the
following probability distribution.

X P (X) X P (X)
0 0.17  0
1 0.34  0.34
2 0.24  0.48
3 0.20 0.6 
4 0.05  0.2
LET’S APPLY
Complete the table below and find the mean of the
following probability distribution.
X P (X) X P (X)
0 0.17  0  

1 0.34  0.34
X P(X) =1.62
2 0.24  0.48
3 0.20 0.6 
4 0.05  0.2