Random Variables and

Probability Distributions
Module 3
 List the sample space of the
following experiments.
Experiment Sample Space
1. Tossing two coins

2. Rolling a die and

tossing a coin
simultaneously

3. Drawing a spade
from a deck of
cards
Lesson 3.1:
Random Variables
• numerical value
• CAPITAL LETTERS
Example 1
Suppose three coins are tossed.
Let Y be the random variable
representing the number of
tails that occur. Find the
values of the random variable
Y. Complete the table below.
STEPS:
1. Determine the sample
space.
2. Count the number of
random variable in each
outcome in the sample
space and assign the
number to the outcome.
Step 1: Determine the
sample space.

Sample Space
Step 2: Count the number of random
variable in each outcome in the sample
space and assign the number to the
outcome.
Possible Outcome Value of the Random
Variable Y (number of
tails)
Example 2
Suppose three cellphones are
tested at random. Find the
number of defective cell
phones that occur. Let D
represent the defective and N
represent the non-defective
cell phones and X be the
random variable representing
the number of defective cell
phones.
Possible Value of the Random
Outcome Variable X (number
of defective cell
phones)
2 Categories of Random
Variables

1. Discrete
- counts

2. Continuous
- measurements
Example 3
a. A fair of coin is tossed
thirty times and the
number of times X that a
tail appears is a discrete
random variable.
Example 4
A machine is run and the
recorded time it starts to
experience a glitch Y
illustrates a continuous
random variable.
Example 5
Classify the following random
variables as discrete or continuous.
1. the number of defective
computers produced by a
manufacturer
2. the weight of newborns each
year in a hospital
3. the number of sibling in a family
of a region
4. the amount of paint utilized in
a building project
5. the time needed to finish the
test
Lesson 3.2:

Constructing Probability
Distribution
Probability Distribution
- probability mass
function
- a table that gives a
list
 Find the probability of the
following events.
Event (E) Probability (P)

1. Getting an even
number in a single
roll of die
2. Getting an ace
when a card is
drawn from a deck

3. Getting doubles
when two dice are
rolled
STEPS:
1. Determine the sample
space.
2. Count the number of
random variable in each
outcome in the sample
space and assign the
number to the outcome.
3. Assign probability values
P(X) to each value of the
random variable.

4. Make a histogram.
Histogram
- bar graph

To construct:
1. Plot the values of the
random variable along
the horizontal axis.

2. Plot the probabilities

along the vertical axis.
Example 6
Two balls are drawn in
succession without replacement
from an urn containing 5 red
balls and 6 blue balls. Let Z be
the random variable
representing the number of
blue balls. Find the values of the
random variable Z. Complete
the table.
Sample Space:

Possible Outcomes Value of the

Random Variable Z
(number of blue
balls)
Number of Blue Probability P(Z)
Balls Z
Table 1.1 The Probability Distribution
or the Probability Mass Distribution
of Discrete Random Variable Z

Number of Blue
Balls (Z)

Probability P(Z)
Figure 1.1
The Histogram for the Probability
Distribution of the Discrete
Random Variable Z
Example 7
Suppose three cell phones are
tested at random. Let D
represent the defective cell
phone and le N represent the
non-defective cell phone. If we
let X be the random variable
for the number of defective cell
phones, construct the
probability distribution of the
random variable X.
Activity 1
Read and answer the
following questions.
A. Classify the following random
variables as discrete or
continuous.
1. Time to finish a race
2. Number of diamonds in a
poker hand
3. Height of 100 students
4. Number of doubles in a roll of
two dice
5. Hours spent answering a test
6. The number of senators present in
the meeting.
7. The weight of newborn babies for
the month of June.
8. The number of ballpens in the box.
9. The capacity of electrical resistors.
10. The amount of salt needed to bake
a loaf of bread.
11. The capacity of an auditorium
12. The number of households with TV
13. The height of mango trees in a
farm.
13. The area of lots in a subdivision.
14. The number of students who
joined a field trip.
15. The time it takes a student to
finish his test in a particular subject.
16. The number of registered nurses
in a city.
17. The number of winners in lotto
for each month.
18. The weight of professional boxer.
19. The grade point average of
students.
20. The area of lots in a subdivision.
B. Construct the probability
distribution for the random
variables described in each of
the following situations and
draw the corresponding
histogram.

1. Four coins are tossed. Let

Z be the random variable
representing the number of
heads occur. Find the values
of the random variable Z.