StatISTICS

AND
CLASS
PROBABILITY
Objectives:
• illustrate the probability distribution for discrete
random variable and its properties

• compute probabilities corresponding to a given

discrete random variable
probability distributions of discrete
random variable
 Discrete probability distribution
A discrete probability distribution consists of the values a random
variable can assume and the corresponding probabilities.
Properties:
• The probability of each value of a discrete random variable is
between 0 and 1 inclusive.

• The sum of all the probabilities is 1.

 EXAMPLE
• If two coins are tossed, the possible outcomes are HH, HT,
TH or TT. Let X be the random variable representing the
number of heads. Construct the discrete probability
distribution of the random variable X
• Construct a probability distribution for rolling a single die.
Finding the unknown probability
distribution
 EXAMPLE
1. A random variable X has the probability distribution as
follows:
x 1 2 3 4 5

P(x) c

a. Find the value of c

b. Construct a probability histogram to describe P(x)
 EXAMPLE
2. A random variable X has the probability distribution as
follows:
x 1 2 3 4 5

P(x)

a. Find b.
b. Construct a probability histogram to describe P(x)