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Discrete Random Variables 2

The document explains the concept of discrete random variables, focusing on the mean (expected value) and its calculation using probabilities of outcomes. It provides examples, including the expected value of rolling a fair die and calculating the expected value and variance for a spinner with specific outcomes. The mean is determined by summing the products of each outcome and its probability.

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3 views2 pages

Discrete Random Variables 2

The document explains the concept of discrete random variables, focusing on the mean (expected value) and its calculation using probabilities of outcomes. It provides examples, including the expected value of rolling a fair die and calculating the expected value and variance for a spinner with specific outcomes. The mean is determined by summing the products of each outcome and its probability.

Uploaded by

aakashshinde850
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Discrete Random Variables

The Mean μ (mu) Expected Value or Expectation of X E(X)

By definition, the mean μ of X is the weighted average of all the possible values of X.
Weighting is assigned according to the probability of the event happening.

The mean is the sum of: (each possible outcome xr) x (each outcome probability P (xr) for all
values of x from r = 1 to r = n.

Example

Find the expected value when a fair die is rolled once?

The outcomes are: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Because there are 6 outcomes and each is equally possible, the probability of any one
occurring is 1/6.

Remembering that X represents the outcome being examined.


So the probability that a '4' is thrown is written:

P(X=4) = 1/6

Since all the probabilities are the same...

P(X=1) = P(X=2) = P(X=3) = P(X=4) = P(X=5) = P(X=6) = 1/6

The mean μ is the sum of: (each possible outcome xr) x (each outcome probability P (xr) for
all values of x from r = 1 to r = n. In this case n = 6.

μ = 1 x P(X=1) + 2 x P(X=2) + 3 x P(X=3) + 4 x P(X=4) + 5 x P(X=5) + 6 x P(X=6)

μ = (1 x 1/6) + (2 x 1/6) + (3 x 1/6) + (4 x 1/6) + (5 x 1/6) + (6 x 1/6) = 7/2 = 3.5

The answer 3.5 is exactly halfway between the die values of 1 and 6.

1 2 3 3.5 4 5 6

Example

A spinner has the shape of a regular pentagon. Sides are numbered 3, 5, 7, 7, 3 respectively.

i) What is the expected value E(X) for the outcomes?

ii) What is the Var(X)?


i)

x 3 5 7
P(X = x) 2/5 1/5 2/5

E(X) = 3(2/5) + 5(1/5) + 7(2/5)

= 6/5 + 5/5 + 14/5

= 25/5 = 5

ii) Var(X) = ∑[x². P(X = x)] - E(X)

Var(X) = 3²(2/5) + 5²(1/5) + 7²(2/5)

= 28.5

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