Probability

Distribution Table
at the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1.Find the possible values of a random variable
2.Illustrate the probability distribution for a
discrete random variable and its properties
Activity:
Toss that
coin!
Instructions:
1. The activity will be done in pairs.
2. Complete the table.
3. The first student will toss 3 coins for
90 secs, and the second student will
record all outcomes.
4. After the activity, selected pairs of
students will share their results in the
class.
The table in our activity is an example of
a probability distribution.

The probability distribution of a discrete

random variable is a list, a table, a graph or a
formula of probabilities associated with each
of its possible values. It is also sometimes
called the probability distribution
function/probability mass function
 Possible Value of Number of Probability
- The probability of each
Outcomes Random Random P( X )
Variable X Variable X
(number of
heads)
0 1/8 outcome is between 0
TTT 0
1 3/8 and 1.
TTH 1
2 3/8 0 P ( X = x) 1
THH 2
THT 1 3 1/8
- The sum of all the
HTH 2
probabilities of the
HTT 1
random variable is equal
HHT 2
to 1 or 100%
HHH 3
=1
Try this!
Consider the random experiment
of rolling a pair of fair dice.
Construct a probability
distribution for a random variable
X that denotes the sum of the
numbers in the two dice.
Try this!
A radiologist records the number of patients waiting in
queue every 8 a.m. for X-ray in a certain hospital for 20
consecutive days. The following are his observation:
Number of
Patients Waiting 0 1 2 3 4
Number of Days
2 5 3 7 3

If X is a random variable that pertains to the number of

patients waiting in queue for X-ray every 8 a.m. in
a certain hospital, construct a probability distribution
for the random variable X.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 3 1
Aug 1

0
4 3 3 1 2 4 3
1 3 1 2 3 4
Aug 20

0
X 0 1 2 3 4
P(X) 2/20 5/20 3/20 7/20 3/20