MEAN, VARIANCE AND

STANDARD DEVIATIONS
MEAN = [XP(X)]
 The mean or the expected value of a probability
distribution tells the value of a random variable
that we expect to get if the experiment is done
repeatedly. In the other words, if the experiment
or process is repeated long enough, there is a
likelihood or chance that the average of the
outcomes will begin to approach the expected
value or the mean value.
VARIANCE =

The variance of a discrete random

variable X measures the spread, or
variability, of the distribution. The
variance, usually denoted by the symbol
σ², and is also denoted as Var (X)
STANDARD = or =
DEVIATION
The standard deviation of the probability
distribution indicates how far, on the
average, is an observed value of a random
variable X from its mean. The smaller the
standard deviation, the more likely than an
observed value of the random variable will
be close to its mean.
STANDARD DEVIATION OF A DISCRETE
RANDOM VARIABLE.

It shows the spread out or

dispersion of discrete random
variables

The values further away from 𝜇

have a small probability.
EXAMPLE
Consider rolling a die.
a. What is the average number of spots
that would appear?
b. What is the variance and standard
deviation of the discrete probability
distribution?
 EXAMPLE 1. CONSIDER
ROLLING A DIE.
Construct the X P(X)

probability 1
2
distribution for the 3
random variable X 4
representing the 5

number of spots 6

that would appear.

MEAN
X P(X)
1
2
3
4
5
6
 EXAMPLE 1. CONSIDER
ROLLING A DIE.
X P(X) P(X)
a. Multiply the 1
value of the 2

random 3
4
variable X by 5

the 6

corresponding
probability.
 EXAMPLE 1. CONSIDER
ROLLING A DIE.
X P(X) P(X)
b. Add the 1

result of 2
3
P(X) 4
5
= [XP(X)] 6

= = 3.5
 EXAMPLE 1. CONSIDER
ROLLING A DIE.
X P(X) P(X)
= = 3.5 1
2

The average 3
4
number of 5

spots that 6

would appear
is 3.5
 VARIANCE X2
a. Square the X
1
P(X) P(X)
1
values of the 2 4
9
random 3
4 16
variable X 5 25
6 36
Total = = 3.5
 VARIANCE X22
b. Multiple X P(X) P(X) P(X)
1 1
4
X2 to P(X). 2
3 9
4 16
5 25
6 36
Total =
= = 3.5 =15.17
 VARIANCE
c. Subtract the X P(X) P(X) X22 P(X)
1 1
square of the 2 4
mean to the sum 3 9

of P(X) 4 16
5 25
6 36
=
Total =
= = 3.5 =15.17
= 15.17

= 15.17

= 2.92
 STANDARD DEVIATION
X22
a. Get the square X
1
P(X) P(X)
1
P(X)

root of the 2 4
variance 3 9
 = or = 4 16
5 25
= 6 36
Total =
= = 3.5 =15.17

=
 STANDARD DEVIATION X P(X) P(X) X22 P(X)
1 1
= 2 4
3 9
The standard 4 16
deviation of the 5 25
probability 6 36
distribution is 1.71. Total =
= = 3.5 =15.17

This implies that on

the average, the
number of spots
appeared is 1.71 unit
from the mean 3.5
 MEAN
X P(X)
1 = [XP(X)]
2 = )+(4 )+(5 )+(6 )
3
4 = )+()+()+()
5
6 =
X P(X)

VARIANCE
1
2
3
4
5
6
=
= )+(42 )+(52 )+(62 ) –(3.5)2
= )+()+()+() -12.25
= - 12.25
=- 12.25
=
X P(X)
1
STANDARD
DEVIATION
2
3
4
5
6
= or =
=
=1.71
FIND THE MEAN, VARIANCE, STANDARD
DEVIATION OF THE PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
X P(X)
0 0.15
1 0.25
2 0.36
3 0.18
4 0.04
5 0.02
FIND THE MEAN, VARIANCE, STANDARD
DEVIATION OF THE PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
X P(X)
0
1
2
3
4
FIND THE MEAN, VARIANCE, STANDARD
DEVIATION OF THE PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
X P(X)
0
1
2
3
FIND THE MEAN, VARIANCE, STANDARD
DEVIATION OF THE PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
X P(X)
19 0.20
20 0.20
21 0.30
22 0.20

23 0.10