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01 Discrete RV Examples

The document explains discrete random variables, which are countable numerical outcomes of random phenomena, and contrasts them with continuous random variables. It provides examples and properties of discrete distributions, including how to calculate mean, variance, and standard deviation. Additionally, it includes practical examples to illustrate the concepts of probability distributions and expected values.

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9 views2 pages

01 Discrete RV Examples

The document explains discrete random variables, which are countable numerical outcomes of random phenomena, and contrasts them with continuous random variables. It provides examples and properties of discrete distributions, including how to calculate mean, variance, and standard deviation. Additionally, it includes practical examples to illustrate the concepts of probability distributions and expected values.

Uploaded by

nidubzcool
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Ch15 Discrete Random Variables Examples

RANDOM VARIABLE – a variable whose value is a numerical outcome of a random phenomenon.

Two types of Random Variables:


DISCRETE – countable number of possible values
CONTINUOUS – values in an interval of numbers (observations that are measured)

Example 1: Discrete or Continuous?


a. Number of defective tires on a car d. Home team score in a basketball game
b. Volume of water in Lake Travis e. Heights of females at Clements HS
c. Number of student’s on Friday’s absence list f. Time needed to walk to your next class

Discrete Distributions
Probability Distributions (probability models) for Discrete Random Variable X:

Value of X x1 x2 x3 …. xk
Probability p1 p2 p3 …. pk
Properties of Discrete Random Variables:
1***

2*** p1 + p2 + p3 + …. + pk = 1

3*** The Mean of a discrete random variable, denoted by , is found by:

(Note the term expected value is sometimes used in place of mean value, and E(x) is an alternative notation for )

4*** The Variance of a discrete random variable x, denoted by , is found by:

5*** The standard deviation of x, denoted by , is the square root of the variance.

Example 2: Let X be the number of daughters in a family with 3 children.


a. Write the probability distribution (probability model) of X. b. Find the probability of having more than one girl.

c. Find the mean number of daughters in this family. d. Find the standard deviation of the number of daughters.
Example 3: Nonstandard dice can produce interesting distributions of outcomes. You have two balanced, six-sided dice. One is a standard
die, with faces having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 spots. The other die has three faces with 0 spots each and three faces with 1 spot each. Find the
probability distribution (probability model) for the total number of spots Y on the up-faces when you roll these two dice.

Example 4:
A discrete random variable X can assume five possible values: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Its probability distribution (probability model) is shown here:
X 1 2 3 4 5
P(X) .2 .1 ? .25 .15

a. Find the probability that X is less than or equal to 3? b. Find the probability that X is more than 2 but less than or equal to 5?

c. Find the expected value. d. Find the standard deviation.

e. Find the probability that X is within one standard deviation of the mean.

f. Find the probability that X is more than 1.5 standard deviations away from the mean.

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