Computing the Mean of

a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Lesson objectives:
At the end of the lesson you should 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 the probability
distributions.
 What is mean?
•The statistical mean refers to the mean or
average that is used to derive the central
tendency of the data in question. It is
determined by adding all the data points in a
population and then dividing the total by the
number of points. The resulting number is
known as the mean or the average.
Example:
Kendra’s scores on her First Quarter
tests were 90, 85, 91, 95, 88, and
93. What is the mean of her scores?
90+ 85+91+95+ 88+93=542

542÷ 6=𝟗𝟎 .𝟑𝟑

 Steps in computing the mean of a
discrete probability distribution
1.Construct a probability distribution for the
random variable X.
2. Multiply the value of the random variable (X)
by the corresponding probability P(X).
3.Add the results obtain in step 2.
Number of spots
Consider rolling a die. What is the
average number of spots that would
happen?
Step 1:
Construct a probability distribution for the random variable X
representing the number of spots that would appear.
Number of spots (X) Probability P(X)

1
2
3
4
5
6
Step 2:
Multiply the value of the random variable (X) by the corresponding
probability P(X).
Number of spots (X) Probability P(X) X • P(X)

1
2
3
4
5
6
Step 3:
Add the results obtain in step 2.
Number of Probability P(X) X • P(X)
spots (X)
1
=
2

6
Therefore, the mean of the
probability distribution is 3.5.
 Formula for the mean of the
probability distribution
The mean of a random variable with discrete probability distribution is:

OR

Where:
are the value of the random variable X, and
, , , . . . , are corresponding probabilities
Grocery items
The probabilities that costumer will buy 1,2,3,4, or 5 in the
grocery store are and , respectively. What is the average
number of items that a customer will buy?
1. Construct a probability distribution for the random variable X
representing the number of items that the customer will buy.
2. Multiply the value of the random variable X by the corresponding
probability.
3. Add the results obtain in step 2.
1
2
3 31
Σ ( 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃 ( 𝑋 ) )= 𝑜𝑟 𝟑 . 𝟏
4 10
5
•So, the mean of the probability
distribution is 3.1. This implies
that the average number of
items that the customer will buy
is 3.1.
Surgery patients
The probabilities that the surgeon
operates on 3,4,5,6, or 7 patients in any
day are 0.15, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30,
respectively. Find the average number of
patients that a surgeon operates on a
day.
3
4
5
6
7

Σ ( 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃 ( 𝑋 ) )=𝟓 . 𝟒𝟓
•So, the average number of
patients that a surgeon will
operate in a day is 5.45.
Let’s do this!

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) = P(2) = ,
and P(3) = .
 1
2
3

or
Let’s do this!
Find the mean of the probability
distribution of the random variable X,
which can take only the values 3,5, and 7.
given that P(3) = P(5) = , and P(7) = .
3
5
7

7
Σ ( 𝑋 ∙ 𝑃 ( 𝑋 ) )= 𝑜𝑟 𝟒 .𝟑𝟕
30
 Steps in computing the mean of a
discrete probability distribution
1.Construct a probability distribution for the
random variable X.
2. Multiply the value of the random variable (X)
by the corresponding probability P(X).
3.Add the results obtain in step 2.
Assignment:
A. Complete the table below and find the mean of the following probability
distribution.
1. X P(X) X • P(X)
1
6
11
16
21
Activity:
2. X P(X) X • P(X)
1
2
3
4
5
Activity:
3.
X P(X) X • P(X)
3 0.15
6 0.35
8 0.40
10 0.10
Activity:
4. X P(X) X • P(X)
1
3
5
7
Activity:
5. X P(X) X • P(X)
2 0.10
4 0.23
6 0.25
8 0.36
10 0.06