STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY
Lesson Description: Module 1 – Random Variable
In this module, students will explore the concept of a random variable, one of the key
foundations in Statistics and Probability. They will learn to define and identify random variables,
distinguish between discrete and continuous random variables, and analyze real-life situations
where these concepts are applied. Through examples and activities from the textbook, students
will deepen their understanding of how random variables are used to represent outcomes in
probability experiments.
Learning Tasks:
1. Study the attached file (also found in the textbook) and take notes on the lesson in your
notebook.
2. Analyze every given example from the book carefully to understand how random
variables are determined and classified.
3. Accomplish the learning activity in your book using a pencil for your answers.
4. Take clear pictures of your completed activity and compile them in a PDF file.
5. Name your file: Learning_Activity_SURNAME-Given Name.
(Ex. Learning_Activity_MAGADIA-Glenn)
6. Submit your PDF file through the appropriate Google Forms link:
✓ STEM – SCA: [Link]
✓ HUMSS: [Link]
✓ ABM/TVL: [Link]
MODULE 1 – RANDOM VARIABLE
Statistics and Probability
Definition of Related Terminologies
Some of the terminologies related to random variable are experiment, sample space,
event, and sample point.
The first thing that you might think about an experiment is doing laboratory activities in
science classes. Generally, experiments are performed to determine the cause-and-effect
relationships or to determine the outcome of the variables being explored.
There are different experiments that involve outcomes such as the ones that you do in
your science subjects back when you were in high school. One example is an experiment
when you need to identify whether a household material is acidic or basic. The color of the
plant indicator or litmus paper may turn into color red or blue if the household material is acidic,
and it will turn yellow or green if the household material is basic.
Another kind of experiment is the statistical experiment. Statistical experiment refers to
the activities that can be done repeatedly with well-defined outcomes or possible outcomes
that can be specified. In doing a statistical experiment, you can have more than one outcome.
The set of all possible outcomes in a statistical experiment is called the sample space. This is
usually denoted using the capital letter "S" and the outcomes are enclosed in bracket (e.g., S
= {H, T} or the set of all outcomes when tossing a coin). Each of the outcomes is called a
sample point, whereas one or more sample points are called event or the well- defined subset
of the sample space.
These terminologies mean the same thing in algebra but are termed differently. Sets and
elements in algebra are the sample space and outcomes, respectively in statistics. These
terms are denoted by capital letters, and the objects/elements or outcomes are enclosed in
brackets. How about sample points and events? What are the equivalent terms of these words
in algebra?
Some science experiments are also statistical experiments as long as they satisfy the
definition of statistical experiments. Can you think of other experiment in your science class
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY
that can be a statistical experiment? Identify its sample spaces. The common statistical
experiments are tossing a coin, rolling a die, drawing a deck of cards, and spinning a wheel,
which all involve game of chances. In the history of the world, games of chances played an
important role in civilization even in the ancient times. Mathematicians such as Fermat,
Pascal, Laplace, Bernoulli, and Gauss understood one subject in mathematics called
probability through the game of chances. In the Filipino tradition, games of chances are one
of the attractions during the town festivals. Aside from the usual games of chances, sports
events also apply probability.
Analyze the given examples:
˃ Example 1.1: Statistical experiment in sports (page 3)
˃ Example 1.2: Statistical experiment in festivals, game shows, & anniversary promo
games (page 4)
Random Variable
Random variable (or stochastic variable) is the quantified random process wherein the
real number is assigned or mapped to the outcomes in the random experiment. It also refers
to the function generated from the sample space to the set of real numbers. It is denoted by
any capital letter (e.g., X). X can be any function that maps the sample space to real numbers.
Table 1.1 shows the comparison of the random variable to any ordinary variable.
Ordinary Variable Random Variable
– This may refer to the attributes of – This may refer to the attributes of persons,
persons, animals, things, places, animals, things, places, events, and ideas.
events, and ideas. – This may be either discrete or continuous.
– This may vary in either quantity or – The value is based on chances (outcomes
quality. from sample space).
Table 1.1 Comparison of the Random Variable with Any Ordinary Variable
Analyze the given examples:
˃ Example 1.3: Tossing a coin thrice (page 5-6)
˃ Example 1.4: Using dice in board games (page 6-9)
˃ Example 1.5: Playing cards (page 9-14)
˃ Example 1.6: Online buying (page 14)
Two Types of Random Variables
There are two types of random variables–discrete random variable and continuous
random variable. Table 1.2 shows the comparison of discrete and continuous random
variables.
Discrete Random Variable Continuous Random Variable
The sample space is finite. The sample space is infinite.
The value of the random variable can be: The value of the random variable is:
a) counted a) measured
b) written in whole numbers b) within an interval. It is usually written in
decimals (termination and non-
terminating decimals).
Examples of discrete random variable
1. 𝑋 = {0, 1}. The values of the random variable in tossing a coin.
2. In an experiment of rolling two dice where Y = {-35, -32, -27, -24, -21, -20, -16,-15,-12,-
11, -9, -8, -7, -5, -3, 0, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 20, 21, 24, 27, 32, 35), for Y, that is
the square of the number facing up in the first die minus the square of the number facing
up in the second die.
3. Y is the number of gadgets owned by the randomly selected grade 11 students in a
prestigious school.
4. Z is the number of times the chocolate ice cream is ordered in an ice cream parlor.
5. A is the number of students who used red umbrella in one rainy afternoon.
Examples of continuous random variable
1. X is the height of your classmates in physics.
2. Y is the time spent by randomly selected students in doing their requirements.
STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY
3. Z is the temperature of the room.
4. A is the weight of the repacked one kilogram of rice.
5. B is the length of the stalk of the plant after putting fertilizer to it.
What about if X is the age of the babies in the pediatric ward? Is it a discrete or a
continuous random variable? Give other examples of discrete and continuous random
variables.
Special case: If a non-terminating and terminating decimal values of a sample space will
be rounded off to the nearest place value, it is still classified as a continuous random
variable, but it can be treated as a discrete random variable because it is already possible
to count the number of sample space.
Analyze the given examples:
˃ Example 1.7: Average grade in English (page 15)
˃ Example 1.8: Savings in the bank (page 15)
˃ Example 1.9: Weight of patients in hospital X (page 15-16)
ACTIVITY
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following in your textbooks using pencil. This will serve as a pre-
test before our formal discussion of the lesson. You may revise or improve your answers after
we discuss the topic in class.
Here is the list of activities:
– Learning Activity 1: Illustrate the sample space and event(s) in the given statistical
experiments. (p.16)
– Learning Activity 2: Illustrate and find the value of the random variable. (p. 17-18)
– Learning Activity 3: Classify whether each given random variable is discrete or
continuous. Write D for discrete random variable and C for continuous random
variable. (p. 19)
Reminder: Textbook Monitoring and Learning Activities
We will be conducting a monitoring of textbooks, so make sure that all learning
activities are answered. Students who complete all the required activities will earn 2 points
in recitation.
Please follow the instructions carefully:
✓ For this activity, use a pencil for your initial answers.
✓ When we are have done our discussion, rewrite your final answers in black ballpen.
✓ Remember: Any erasure or alteration of answers in your textbook will be
considered incorrect.
ASSIGNMENT
Kindly study and take notes of the lesson.
We will be having our recitation once we have class.