Random Variables

Objectives:
 Illustrate Random Variables
 Distinguish between a discrete and continuous random variables.
 Find the possible values of a fandom variables.
If you are the manager of a basketball team, how would you answer the following
inquiries?
1. What information should be obtained to select the player your team needs?
2. How do you count or measure the information needed for making decision?
Players Points per No. of No. of Playing Field Goal Height Weight
game rebounds assist per time per (%) (in m) (in lbs)
per game game game
(in mins)
Kyle 5 2 4 4.65 85 1.83 165
Anthony 10 3 4 5.9 80.5 1.88 175
Earl 18 5 6 6.7 75.7 1.96 195
Joshua 22 7 8 8 68.4 2.06 210
Ronan 20 4 10 7.5 50 1.93 205
Go 11 3 15 6 45.3 1.83 160
Joseph 4 2 18 5 38.9 1.80 158.2

An experiment of chance was conducted where

the profiles of 7 professional basketball players
during their amateur years are randomly
selected.
Variables
- is the characteristic or property of the element
Random Variables
- is a variable being measured to produce numerical
observations associated with the random outcomes of a
chance experiment.
Two types of Random Variables
 Discrete Random Variables
- are random variables where the observed numerical
value are produced by counting and assumes whole numbers
only.
 Continuous Random Variables
- are random variables where the observed numerical
values are results of measuring and may take on any numbers
contained within the numerical intervals.
Elements Random Variables

Discrete Random Variables Continuous Random Variables

 Discrete Random Variables Continuous Random Variables

Observation for x is a whole number Observation for x is any point within the
range

Points per game 4 ≤ x ≤ 22 Playing time per 4.65 ≤ x ≤ 8

game

Rebounds per game 2≤x≤7 Field Goal % 38.9 ≤ x ≤ 85

Assists per game 4 ≤ x ≤ 18 Height ( in meters) 1.80 ≤ x ≤ 2.06

Weight ( in Lbs) 158.2 ≤ x ≤ 210

Example
Experiment Element Random Variables
Rolling two dice Two dice colored red and Sum of numbers from two
blue dice

Classify the following according to type of variable

1. Volume of gasoline consumed by an automatic car.
2. Names listed in a voting center
3. Temperature observed in Kelvin units.
4. Annual gross sales in super market
5. The interest rate on ROI
6. Color of hair
7. Weight of an overactive pituitary gland
8. Outcomes when tossing a coin
9. The number of goods sold in a retail store
10. Length of incubation for an ostrich egg.