Probability and

Random Variables
 Learning Targets
◉ Recall probability
◉ Identify terminologies of probability
◉ Find sample space of an experiment
◉ Identify the probability of an event
◉ Define random variable
◉ Find the possible values of a random variable.
◉ Illustrate a random variable (discrete and continuous).
◉ Differentiate discrete and a continuous random variable.
◉ Illustrates a probability distribution for a discrete random variable and its properties.
◉ Constructs the probability mass function of a discrete random variable and its
corresponding histogram.
◉ Computes probabilities corresponding to a given random variable.

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 Probability
Statistics and Probability 1 3
 Probability

◉ Is a branch of mathematics concerned with analyzing the chance that a

particular event will occur. Its purpose is to attempt to predict the
likelihood that something will or will not happen.

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 Experiment

Any activity which can be done repeatedly under similar conditions

Sample Space (S)

The set of all possible outcomes in an experiment

EVENT (E)

A subset of a sample space

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 Probability

Experiment Sample Space

Toss one coin Head, Tail

Roll a die 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

True or False question True, False

Toss two coins HH, TT, HT, TH

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 Probability of an Event

◉ Is a ratio that compares the number of favorable outcomes to the

number of possible outcomes.

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 Probability of an Event

Experiment Sample Space Event Probability

Roll a die 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Odd numbers

Toss two coins HH, TT, HT, TH Two tails

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 Probability of an Event

◉ Drawing a card from an ordinary deck of cards

◉ There are 4 suits- Spades, Diamonds, Clubs and Hearts
◉ There are 13 cards of each suit (Ace through King).
◉ There are 52 outcomes in the sample space.
1. A red card
2. A diamond card
3. An ace of clubs
4. A King
5. Not a face card

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Random Variables
Statistics and Probability 2 10
Rolling a die
What is the sample space of the experiment?

𝑆= {1,2,3,4,5,6 } ?
S={ }?

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 Random Variables

◉ Is a variable that can take on values based on the outcomes of a random

experiment.
◉ It is a rule that assigns a number to each outcome of a chance
experiment.
◉ Is a variable whose possible values are determined by chance.
◉ Is typically represented by an uppercase letter, usually X, while its
corresponding lowercase letter in this case, x, is used to represent one of
its values.

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 2 Types of Random Variables

Discrete Random Variable Continuous Random Variable

◉ Number of sales ◉ Length

◉ Number of calls ◉ Depth
◉ Shares of stock ◉ Volume
◉ People in line ◉ Time
◉ Mistakes per page ◉ Weight

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 Random Variables
Rolling a die. Let the variable X represent the number of dots that result
from this experiment.

Possible Outcomes Random Variable X

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𝑋 ={1,2,3,4,5,6 } 6

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 Random Variables

Suppose three cellphones are tested at random. We want to find out the
number of defective cellphones that occur. Thus, to each outcome in the
sample space, we need to assign a value. Let X be the number of defective
cellphones.
These are 0,1,2, or 3. If there is no defective
phone, we assign 0, for one defective phone,
we have 1 as the value; 2 for two defective and
3 for all defective.
The possible values of this random variable are
0,1,2,3.

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 Random Variables

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.
Sample Space Random Variable X
HHH 3
HHT 2
HTH 2
HTT 1
THH 2
THT 1
𝑋 ={0,1,2,3 } TTH 1
TTT 0

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 Probability of an Event
Three coins are tossed. Answer the follow up questions.
1. How many possible outcomes are there?
2. What is the sample space?
◉ Event E = event that exactly two heads appear
◉ Event F = event that at least two heads appear
◉ Event G= event the three heads appear
4. What is ?
5. What is ?
6. What is ?

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 2
Discrete Probability
Distribution
Statistics and Probability

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

◉ Consists of the values of a random variable can assume the

corresponding probabilities of the values.
◉ Can be presented in tabular, graphical, or formula form
◉ Also called probability mass function

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.
Sample Random Probability
Space Variable X
HHH 3
HHT 2
HTH 2
HTT 1
THH 2
THT 1
𝑋 ={0,1,2,3 } TTH 1
TTT 0

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.

TABULAR FORM

Number of
0 1 2 3
Heads X
Probability
P(X)

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.

FORMULA FORM

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 Properties of Discrete Probability Distribution

1. The probability of each value of a random variable must be between

or equal to 0 and 1.

2. The sum of probabilities of all values of the random variable must be

equal to 1.

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Activity: Determine whether the distribution is a discrete
probability distribution.

X 3 6 8

P(X) -0.3 0.6 0.7

X 1 2 3 4 5

P(X)

H 0 1 2

P(H)

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 Discrete Probability Distribution

GRAPHICAL FORM
HISTOGRAM
◉ A graph consisting of bars of equal
width drawn adjacent to each other
(without gaps)
◉ The horizontal scale represents the
value of random variable
◉ The vertical scale represents probability

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 Discrete Probability Distribution
A coin is tossed thrice. Let the variable X represent the number of heads that
result from this experiment.
GRAPHICAL FORM
       
 
 

Probability P(X)
 
 
 
 
 

0
       
0 1 2 3
Random Variable X
  Number of Heads

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 Example
Demand for copies of a movie magazine at a variety store.
1. What is the probability that at Number of Copies (X) Probability P(X)

least two but not more than six 0 0.06

will be demanded in a particular 1 0.14

day? 2 0.16
3 0.14
2. Find P(X ≤ 2) 4 0.12

3. Find P(X ≥ 7) 5 0.10

6 0.08
4. Find P(1 ≤ X ≤ 5 ) 7 0.07
5. Find P(X>10) 8 0.06
9 0.04
6. Find P(X=9)
10 0.03

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 Activity: Find the probability.
Number of Cars (X) Probability P(X)
1. Find P(X ≤ 4)
0 0.100
2. Find P(X ≥ 8) 1 0.150

3. Find P(3 ≤ X ≤ 9 ) 2 0.250

3 0.140
4. Find P(X>10) 4 0.090

5. Find P(X=7) 5 0.080

6 0.060
7 0.050
8 0.040
9 0.025

10 0.015

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