CONSTRUCTING

PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
Discrete probability distribution
or a Probability Mass Function
-Consist of the values a random
variable can assume and the
corresponding probabilities of
the values.
Properties of a Probability Distribution
1. The probability of each value of
the random variable must be
between or equal to 0 and 1. In
symbol: 0 < P(x) <

2. The sum of the probabilities of all

values of the random variable must
be equal to 1. In symbol: σ 𝑃 𝑥 = 1
1. NUMBER OF TAILS
Suppose three coins are
tossed. Let Y be the random
variable representing the
number of tails that occur.
Find the probability of each of
the values of the random
variable Y.
2. 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. Construct
the probability distribution of the
random variable Z.
3. Box A and B both contain
the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Write the probability mass
function and draw the
histogram of the sum when
one number from each box is
taken, with replacement.
4. Write the probability
mass function of the
random variable Y
defined by the
outcomes of rolling
fair die.
5. Write the probability
distribution of a random
variable R representing
number of red balls when 6
balls are drawn in succession
without replacement from a
jar containing 4 red and 5 blue
balls.
6. Four coins are tossed. Let Z
be the random variable
representing the number of
heads that occur. Find the
values of the random variable
z. Construct the probability
distribution for the random
variables.