Discrete Probability Distribution

DISCRETE PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
• A probability distribution refers to the arrangement of the values of a random variable and the
probabilities assigned to them
• A discrete probability distribution is a list of probabilities for each of the possible outcomes
in an experiment. It gives the probability for each of the possible value of a discrete random
variable. Also, it should satisfy two properties called the: (1) nonnegative property and (2)
norming property.
Nonnegative Property: The probability p(x) for each possible value is between 0 and 1
inclusive. In symbols,
Norming Property: The sum of all the probabilities in the distribution is equal to 1. In
symbols,
• The discrete probability distribution can be presented in tabular form, graphical form
(probability histogram), or a formula/function form (pmf: probability mass function).
COSTRUCTING DISCRETE
PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION
1) List all the possible values of the discrete random variable X.
2) Solve for the corresponding probability of each value of the discrete random variable X.

(table, histogram, function)

Example 1: Consider the first experiment in the “Getting Ready Activity”.

Experiment: “tossing a coin twice”

Random Variable: X = no. of heads that turn up
Possible x P(x)
x (no. of heads)
Outcomes
0 1/4 - there is one (1) favorable outcome (TT) out of 4 possible outcomes
HH 2
1 2/4 - there are two (2) favorable outcomes (HT, TH) out of 4 possible outcomes
HT 1
2 1/4 - there is one (1) favorable outcome (HH) out of 4 possible outcomes
TH 1
TT 0 This table is the discrete probability distribution of X.
Take note that the table above satisfies the two properties of discrete probability distribution.
Nonnegative Property: 1/4 and 2/4 or 1/2 are positive values.
Norming Property: the sum of all the probabilities (1/4 + 31/2 + 1/4) is equal to 1.
Example 1:
P(x) This table can also be presented using a probability histogram.
0 1/4 A histogram is a graph using bars to relate variables on a
horizontal and vertical axis. The x-axis indicates the values of
1 2/4 or 1/2
the random variable and the y-axis indicates the probability.
2 1/4
P(x)
2/4

1/4
Reminder: In drawing a probability histogram, the width of the
bars/rectangles are the same and their heights vary depending on their
corresponding probabilities.
0 1 2 x
Example 1:
Moreover, discrete probability
x P(x)
distribution can also be presented in
formula/function form. The function 0 1/4
that represents a discrete probability 1 2/4 or 1/2
distribution is called probability
mass function (pmf). 2 1/4

The pmf of the probability

distribution above is:
{
𝒑 ( 𝒙 )= ¿ 𝟏/ 𝟒 , 𝒊𝒇 𝒙=𝟎 , 𝟐
¿ 𝟏/ 𝟐 , 𝒊𝒇 𝒙=𝟏
Example 2:
Experiment: “tossing a coin thrice”
Random Variable: X = no. of tails that turn up

Possible Outcomes
HH HH HT
HTT
TH
THT TTH TTT x P(x)
H T H H
0 1/8 - there is one (1) favorable outcome (HHH) out
of 8 possible outcomes
x (no. of tails) 0 1  1  2  1  2 2  3
1 3/8 - there are (3) favorable outcome (HHT, HTH,
THH) out of 8 possible outcomes

This table is the discrete probability distribution 2 3/8 - there are (3) favorable outcome (HTT, THT,
TTH) out of 8 possible outcomes

of X. 1/8 - there is one (1) favorable outcome (TTT) out

3 of 8 possible outcomes

Take note that the table above satisfies the two properties of discrete probability distribution.
Nonnegative Property: 1/8 and 3/8 are positive values.
Norming Property: the sum of all the probabilities (1/8 + 3/8 + 3/8 + 1/8) is equal to 1.
Example 2:

{
𝒑 ( 𝒙 )= ¿ 𝟏/ 𝟖 , 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 =𝟎 ,𝟑
¿ 𝟑/ 𝟖 , 𝒊𝒇 𝒙=𝟏 ,𝟐

tabular form probability histogram probability mass function

Example 3:
Experiment: “rolling a number cube”
Random Variable: X = the number that turns up

Like in the previous examples, the table satisfies

the two properties of discrete probability
x 1 2 3 4 5 6 distribution.
Nonnegative Property: 1/6 is a positive value.
P(x) 1/6 1/6 1/6
  1/6
  1/6
  1/6
  Norming Property: the sum of all the
probabilities (1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 1/6+ 1/6+ 1/6) is
For every value of X, there is one (1) favorable outcome out of 6 equal to 1.
possible outcomes.
Example 3:
Experiment: “rolling a number cube”
Random Variable: X = the number that turns up
P(x)
1/3

tabular form 1/6

x
1 2 3 6
𝟏 4 5
𝒑 ( 𝒙 )= , 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒙=𝟏 , 𝟐 , 𝟑 ,𝟒 ,𝟓 , 𝟔 probability histogram
𝟔
probability mass function
Example 4:
A fair roulette wheel contains 30 numbers: 15 are blue, 10 are green, and 5 are yellow. You win Php 300 if the
roulette lands on a blue number; you lose Php 200 if the roulette lands on a green number; and you lose Php 100
if the roulette lands on a yellow number.
Experiment: “spinning the roulette wheel”
Random Variable: X = the amount (in Php) a player can win or lose

x P(x)
- there are ten (10) green numbers out of 30
-200 1/3 numbers. (Reduce to lowest terms)
- there are five (5) yellow numbers out of 30
-100 1/6 numbers. (Reduce to lowest terms)

- there are fifteen (15) yellow numbers out of 30

300 1/2 numbers. (Reduce to lowest terms)

The table above satisfies the two properties of discrete probability distribution.
Nonnegative Property: 1/6, 1/3, and ½ are positive values.
Norming Property: the sum of all the probabilities (1/3 + 1/6 + 1/2) is equal to 1.