Random Variables in Statistical Methods
Random Variables in Statistical Methods
Review of probability concepts, Random variables, types of random variables, probability distribution
function, probability density function, the mean and variance of a probability distribution, Binomial
distribution, Poisson distribution, Normal distribution: calculating normal probabilities, normal
approximation to the binomial distribution.
Random Experiment or Trial: An experiment which can perform any number of times under the same
conditions and the outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty, is called a Trial.
Examples:
1) Tossing a Coin
2) Rolling a Die
3) Choosing an even number
4) Choosing a real number between 0 and 1 (excluding the end points)
Sample space: The set all possible outcomes of a trial is called the Sample space of the Trial and this set is
denoted by S. The elements of S are called sample points.
If S is finite then it is called finite sample space, otherwise it is called infinite sample space
If S is finite or countably infinite then it is called Discrete sample space
If S is in the form of the union of one or more intervals then it is called Continuous sample space
If S is finite then the number of elements is denoted by n(S)
Examples:
1) In the trial of „Tossing a Coin‟, the possible outcomes are “Head” and “Tail”
So that the Sample space S H , T and n(S) 2
2) In the trial of „Tossing two Coins‟,
The Sample space S HH, HT, TH, TT and n(S) 4
3) In the trial of „Tossing three Coins‟,
The Sample space S HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT and n(S) 8
4) In the trial of „Rolling a Die‟, the possible outcomes are 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6
So that the Sample space S 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6 and n(S) 6
5) In the trial of „Rolling two Dies simultaneously‟,
the possible outcomes are (1,1), (1, 2), (1,3), (1, 4), (1,5), (1, 6),(2,1),(2, 2), (6, 6)
So that the Sample space S (1,1), (1, 2), (1,3), (1, 4), (1,5), (1, 6),(2,1),(2, 2), (6, 6) and n(S) 36
6) In the trial of „Choosing a positive even number‟, the possible outcomes are 2, 4, 6,
So that the Sample space S 2, 4, 6, and is countably infinite
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Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
Event: A subset of the sample space of a trial is called an Event
Examples:
1) In the trial of „Tossing a Coin‟, the Sample space S H , T
, H, T, H, T are the events
2) In the trial of „Rolling a Die‟, the Sample space S 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6
1, 2 , 3, 6 , 2, 4, 6 , 1, 3, 5, are some events
and the total number of events are 26
Note: If the sample space of a trial contains n points, then there are 2n events
Probability of an event (Classical): If A is an event of a trial having finite sample space S, then the success
probability of A is denoted by PA and is defined as follows.
PA
n( A) Favorable outcomes
n(S) Total outcomes
Example 1) In the trial of „Tossing a Coin‟, the Sample space S H , T
If A H ; „getting H ‟, then PA
1
2
If A T ; „getting T ‟, then PA
1
2
Example 2) In the trial of „Rolling a Die‟, the Sample space S 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6
If A 2, 4, 6 ; „getting even number‟, then PA
3 1
6 2
If A 1,3,5 ; „getting odd number‟, then PA
3 1
6 2
If A 1, 6 , then PA
2 1
6 3
Example 3) In the trial of „Tossing two Coins‟, the Sample space S HH, HT, TH, TT
If A HH ; „getting two heads exactly‟, then PA
1
4
If A HT, TH ; „getting one head exactly‟, then PA
2 1
4 2
If A HH, HT, TH ; „getting one head at least‟, then PA
3
4
If A TT ; „getting two tails exactly‟ or „getting no head‟, then PA
1
4
Example 4) In the trial of „Tossing three Coins‟, S HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT
If A HHH ; „getting three heads‟, then PA
1
8
If A HHT, HTH, THH ; „getting two heads‟, then PA
3
Random variable: If S is the sample space of a trial and R is the set of all real numbers, then any mapping (
or function ) X : S R is called a random variable (rv).
The set of all images under X is called the range of random variable X and it is denoted by X (S).
Notation:
1) If X : S R is a random variable and a R , then
X a s S X (s) a
X a s S X (s) a
X a s S X (s) a
X a s S X (s) a
X a s S X (s) a
Since these are subsets S, these are events and the respective probabilities are denoted by
PX a, PX a, PX a, PX a, PX a
Since there are infinitely many functions from S to R, there are infinite random variables on this
sample space.
Example 2) In the trial of „Rolling a Die‟, the Sample space S 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6
Since there are infinitely many functions from S to R, there are infinite random variables on this
sample space.
Example 3) In the trial of „Tossing two Coins‟, the Sample space S HH, HT, TH, TT
Example 4) In the trial of „Rolling a Die‟, the Sample space S 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6
Here
(i) X 0 TTTT and PX 0
1
16
and PX 1
4 1
(ii) X 1 HTTT,THTT,TTHT,TTTH
16 4
2 HHTT, HTHT, HTTH,TTHH,THTH, THHT and PX 2
6 3
(iii) X
16 8
3 THHH, HTHH, HHTH, HHHT and PX 3
4 1
(iv) X
16 4
4 HHHH and PX 4
1
(v) X
16
and PX 3
5
(vi) X 3 THHH, HTHH, HHTH, HHHT, HHHH
16
Exercise:
1. Define and give an example : (i) Random experiment (ii) Sample space (iii) Random variable
2. In the trial of „Tossing two Coins‟, if X is a random variable given by the number of heads,
find (i) the range of X (ii) X 2 and PX 2 (iii) X 2 and PX 2
3. In the trial of „Tossing three Coins‟, if X is a random variable given by the number of heads,
find (i) the range of X (ii) X 2 and PX 2 (iii) X 2 and PX 2
(iv) X 1 and PX 1
5. In the trial of „Rolling two Dice‟, if S is the sample space and X : S R is defined as the sum of the
dots on the two dies, find (i) the sample space S (ii) the range of X (iii) X 2 and PX 2
(iv) X 5 and PX 5 (v) X 11 and PX 11 (vi) X 5 and PX 5
Discrete random variable (Drv) : A random variable X : S R is called discrete if its range is finite or
countably infinite
Continuous random variable (Crv) : A random variable X : S R is called continuous if its range is in
the form of an interval
Random variable
Variance x
2 2
Standard deviation 2 f (x)dx
Standard deviation 2
(i) f (x) 0
(ii) f (x) 1
(iii) ) f (x) P( X
x)
x
Example (1): Let f (x) for x 0, 1, 2, 3
6
1 2 1 3 1
Then f (0) 0, f (1) , f (2) and f (3)
6 6 3 6 2
Now observe that f (x) 0 for x 0, 1, 2,3
x
Example (2): Let f (x) for x 1, 2, 3, 4
8
1 2 3 4
Then f (1) , f (2) , f (3) and f (4)
8 8 8 8
Now observe that f (x) 0 for x 1, 2,3, 4
And f (x) f (1) f (2) f (3) f (4)
1 2 3 4 10
1
8 8 8 8 8
Therefore, f (x) is not a probability mass function for any discrete random variable
Probability density function (pdf): A function f (x) is called a probability density function of a continuous
random variable (crv) X if
(i) f (x) 0
(ii) f (x) dx 1
b
Properties of pdf:
(1) The curve given by y f (x), is always above the X-axis
(2) The area between X-axis and the curve from to is 1 unit
b
(3) P(a X b)
f (x)dx The area between X-axis and the curve from
a
a to b
(4) P( X a) P(a X a) f (x)dx 0
a
(5) P(a X b) P(a X b) P(a X b) P(a X b)
x
Example (1): If f (x) 2 0 x 2 , then
0, otherwise
Clearly f (x) 0
0 2
1
sin x for 0 x
Example (2): If f (x) 2 , then it is a probability density function
0 for otherwise
Clearly f (x) 0
1
1
cos x
And
f (x) dx f (x) dx
0 2 0
sin x dx
2
0 1
(1) If X is a discrete random variable (drv) and f (x) is a probability mass function, then the CDF of
f (x) is given by
F(x) P( X x)
f ( y) P( X y)
y x y x
(2) If X is a continuous random variable (crv) and f (x) is a probability density function, then the CDF of
f (x) is given by
F (x) P( X x)
x
f (x)dx
Properties of CDF:
a
(1) F (a) P( X a)
f (x)dx
14 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
The area between X-axis to a
and the curve from
(4)
d
F (x) f (x)
dx
(5) If a b then F(a) F(b)
b
(6) If a b then F (b) F (a) P(a X b) f (x)dx
a
If X is a discrete random variable (drv) with range as x1 , x 2 , x3 , and f (x) is probability mass function
(pmf), then the probability distribution table is given follows.
x x1 x2 x3
P X x P X x1 P X x2 P X x3
or f (x) or f (x1 ) or f (x2 ) or f (x3 )
x
Example : If f (x) for x 0,1, 2, 3, 4 is a probability mass function of a discrete random variable X
10
1 2 3 4
Then f (0) 0, f (1) , f (2) , f (3) and f (4)
10 10 10 10
The probability distribution table is given as follows
x 0 1 2 3 4
f(x) or P(X=x) 0 1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10
Now
(i) F(0) P(X 0) P(X 0) f (0) 0
1 1
(ii) F(1) P(X 1) P(X 0) P(X 1) f (0) f (1) 0
10 10
(iii) F(2) P(X 2) P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2)
1 2 3
f (0) f (1) f (2) 0
10 10 10
Similarly,
if x 0, then F(x) 0
if 0 x 1, then F(x) P( X 0) f (0) 0
if 1 x 2, then F(x) P(X 0) P(X 1)
1 1
f (0) f (1) 0
10 10
if 2 x 3, then F(x) P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2)
1 2 3
f (0) f (1) f (2) 0
10 10 10
(1) If X is a discrete random variable (drv) and f (x) is a probability mass function
(2) If X is a continuous random variable (crv) and f (x) is a probability density function
E X or
(i) Mean or Expectation of X ,
x f (x)dx
V X or 2
(ii) Variance of X ,
x f (x) dx f (x) dx 2
2
x
2
x f (x) dx
x2 2x f (x) dx
(7) 2 2
x2 f (x) dx 2
(ii) Variance, V X or 2 x2 f (x) 2 12 0.2 22 0.1 32 0.4 42 0.3 2.82
0.2 0.4 3.6 4.8 7.84 9 7.84 1.16
x
Example (2): A random variable X has the probability density function f (x) 2 for 0 x 2
0, otherwise
2
2 1 x3 4
12
(i) Mean, E X or x f (x)dx x f (x)dx x2 dx
0
20 2 3 0 3
2
20 2 4 0 3 9 9
2 2
(iii) SD, V X
9 3
(1) If X is a discrete random variable (drv), f (x) is a probability mass function and
g(x) is a polynomial, then the expectation of g X is given by E gX g(x) f (x)
(2) If X is a continuous random variable (crv), f (x) is a probability density function and
(1) If X is a discrete random variable (drv) and f (x) is a probability mass function, then
20 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
Example (1): A random variable X has the following probability distribution (or Probability mass
function)
x 1 2 3 4
P(X x) or f (x) 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.3
(i) E X x f (x) 10.2 20.1 30.4 40.3 2.8
(ii) E X 2 x 2 f (x) 12 0.2 22 0.1 32 0.4 42 0.3 9
(iii) E X 3 x3 f (x) 13 0.2 23 0.1 33 0.4 43 0.3
10.2 80.1 270.4 640.3 0.2 0.8 10.8 19.2 31
(iv) E X 3 2X 2 7X 3 E X 3 2E X 2 7E X E 3
x 0 x 2
Example (2): A random variable X has the probability density function f (x) 2
2
0, otherwise
2 2 1 x3 4
(i) E X x f (x)dx x f (x)dx x2 dx
1
0 20 2 3 0 3
2
12 1 x4
(ii) E X 2 x2 f (x) dx x2 f (x) dx x3 dx 2
2
0 20 2 4 0
2
12 16 1 x5
(iii) E X x f (x) dx x f (x) dx x dx
2
3 3 3 4
2 5 0 16
20 5 4
(iv) E X 2X 7X 3 E X 2E X 7E X E 3 22 7
0
3 2 3 2
3 11.533
5 3
22 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
Problems:
1. A random variable X has the following probability distribution
x 1 2 3 4 5 6
P( X x) k 3k 4k 6k 7k 4k
Find (i) k (ii) P( X 4) (iii) P( X 3) (iv) P(2 X 5) (v) Mean (vi) Variance
(vii) SD (viii) E X 2
(i) We have P( X x) 1.
That is, k 3k 4k 6k 7k 4k 1 or 25k 1
1
Therefore, k
25
(ii) P(X 4) P(X 1) P(X 2) P(X 3) P(X 4)
14
k 3k 4k 6k 14k
25
(iii) P(X 3) P(X 4) P(X 5) P(X 6)
17
6k 7k 4k 17k
25
(iv) P(2 X 5) P(X 3) P(X 4) P(X 5)
17
4k 6k 7k 17k
25
(v) Mean xP( X x)
102
(1)(k) (2)(3k) (3)(4k) (4)(6k) (5)(7k) (6)(4k) 102k 4.08
25
(vi) Variance 2 x 2 P( X x) x 2 P( X x) 2
(1)2 (k) (2)2 (3k) (3)2 (4k) (4)2 (6k) (5)2 (7k) (6)2 (4k) 2
(1)(k) (4)(3k) (9)(4k) (16)(6k) (25)(7k) (36)(4k) 2
4.082 1.9136
464
464k 2
25
(vii) Standard deviation 1.9136 1.383
(viii)
E X 2 x2 P( X x)
(1)2 (k) (2)2 (3k) (3)2 (4k) (4)2 (6k) (5)2 (7k) (6)2 (4k)
(1)(k) (4)(3k) (9)(4k) (16)(6k) (25)(7k) (36)(4k)
464
464k
25
2. Determine the probability distribution of the number of Heads on three flips of a balanced coin. Also
compute the mean, variance and standard deviation of the distribution.
On three flips of a coin, S HHH, HHT, HTH, THH, TTH, THT, HTT, TTT
Let X be the random variable which gives the number of heads; that is,
23 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
X (HHH) 3, X (HHT) 2, X (HTH) 2, X (THH) 2,
X (TTH) 1, X (THT) 1, X (HTT) 1, and X (TTT) 0
So that the range of X , X (S) 0, 1, 2,3
x 0 1 2 3
P X x 1 3 3 1
8 8 8 8
Mean x P( X x)
1 3 3 1 12 3
(0) (1) (2) (3)
8 8 8
8 8 2
Variance 2 x2P(X x) 2
2
1 2 1 3
2 (1)2 3
( 2
3
( 3) 24 9 3
(0) 2)
8 8 8 8 2 8 4 4
Standard deviation 3
4
x for 0 x 1
3. If the probability density of a random variable X is given by f (x) 2 x for 1 x 2
0
otherwise
determine (i) P 0.2 X 0.8 (ii) P 0.6 X 1.2
0.8
x 2
0.64 0.04 0.3
0.8 0.8
1
(i) P 0.2 X 0.8
0.2
f (x) dx x dx
0.2
2 0.2 2
1.2 1 1.2
k x 0 x 2
4. A random variable X has the density function f (x)
1 3 0, otherwise
Find (i) the constant k (ii) P X (iii) PX 1
25 2 2
[Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
Now f (x) dx 1
f (x) dx 1
0
k x dx 1
0
2
x 2
k 1 2k 1 k 1
2 0 2
1 x 2 2 1 9 1 1
3 3
1 3 2 2 3
1 x 2 1
2 2 2
k x2 , 1 x 3
5. If the probability density function of a random variable X is f (x)
0, otherwise
Determine (i) the value of k (ii) Mean (iii) Variance (iv) Standard deviation
1 1 3 1
3
27 1 1
k 26k k
1
3 3 3 26
4
3 3
(iii) Variance
2
2 f (x) dx
2
x2 f (x) dx 2 k x4 dx
2
x 1 3 1
3 x 30
5 2
k x3 , 0 x 1
6. If the probability density function of a random variable X is f (x)
0, otherwise
Determine (i) the value of k (ii) Mean (iii) Variance (iv) Standard deviation (v) EX 3
(iii) Variance 2
x f (x) dx k x5 dx
2
x f (x) dx
2 2 2
2
0 0
1
4 x
2
6
4 4 16 0.666 0.64 0.026
6 5
0 6 25
(iv) Standard deviation 0.026 0.161
1
x7
(v) EX
1 1
4
3
3 f (x) dx x f (x) dx k x dx 4
3 6
7 0.5714
x
0 0
7
0
1
sin x for 0 x
7. Probability density function of a random variable X is f (x) 2
0 for otherwise
Determine (i) Mean (ii) Variance (iii) P 0 X
2
(i) Mean x f (x)dx
1
1
0 2 x sin xdx 2 x cos x 1 sin x 0
x cos x sin x 0 0 0
1 1
0
2 2 2
1
(ii) Variance 2 2 f (x) dx x 2 sin x dx 2
2
x
02
1 2
x cos x 2x sin x 2cos x 2
0
2
1
x 2 cos x 2x sin x 2 cos x 2
0
2
1 2
0 2 0 0 2
2
2 2
2 2
1
2 4 2
2 4 4
2
21
1 1
(iii) P 0 X f (x)dx sin xdx
2
0
0 2 2 cos x02
2
2 e2 x for x 0
8. If a random variable X has the probability density f (x) , determine the probabilities
0 for x 0
that it will take on a value (i) between 1 and 3 (ii) greater than 0.5 (iii) mean (iv) variance
3 3 2 x e 2 x
3
6
2 x e 2 x
1 1
f (x)dx 2 e
(ii) P X 0.5 0 e e 0.3679
dx 2
(iii) Mean
x f (x)dx x f (x)dx 2 xe 2xdx
0 0
e e 2x
2 x 1 1
2 x 1 2 0 0 0
2 4 4 2
0
2 e2 x 2 x
e e 1
2 x 2x 2
2
4 8
1 1 1 10 1
4
2 0 0 0 0 0
4 4 2 4 4
k x 2 ex for x 0
9. A random variable X has the density function f (x)
0 for x 0
Find (i) the constant k (ii) Mean (iii) Variance
f (x) dx 1
f (x) dx 1
0
k x 2 e x dx 1
0
k x 2 e x 2x e x 2 e x 0 1
k0 2 1
2k 1
1
k
2
(ii) Mean
x f (x) dx
x f (x) dx
0
k x3exdx
0
k x 3 e x 3x 2 e x 6x e x 6e x 0 6
1
3
0
2
k x 4 e x 4x 3 e x 12x 2 e x 24x e x 24 e x
0 2
0 0
20 1 e
20 0
(ii) Anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 miles
20
x
1 e 20
20 20 x
1
P 15 X 20 f (x) dx e 20 dx
20 20 1
15 15
20 15
3 3
e 1 e 4 e 4 e 1 0.4724 0.3679 0.1045
(iii) At least 30,000 miles
x
1 e 20
x 3 3
1
P X 30 f (x) dx 20 e 20
dx 0 e e 2 0.223
2
20 1
30 30
20 30
Exercise:
1. Define (i) Random variable (ii) Discrete random variable (iii) Probability mass function (iv) Cumulative
distributive function of a discrete random variable (v) Mean, variance of a discrete random variable
Find (i) k (ii) Mean (iii) Variance (iv) P1 X 5 (v) PX 4
5. Determine the probability distribution of the number of Heads on tossing three coins. Also compute
the Cumulative distribution function (CDF)
cx 2 0 x 4
8. Let X be a random variable having the density function f (x)
0, otherwise
Find (i) the constant c (ii) P1 X 3 (iii) PX 1 (iv) mean (v) variance
Let X be a random variable having the density function f (x) k e x0
3x
9.
0 x0
Find (i) the constant k (ii) P1 X 2 (iii) PX 3 (iv) mean (v) variance
1
(x 1) for
1 x 1
10. Probability density function of a random variable X is f (x) 2
0 otherwise
1
Determine (i) Mean (ii) Variance (iii) P 0 X
2
(3 2x) for 2 x 4
11. Probability density function of a random variable X is f (x) 18
0, otherwise
Determine (i) Mean (ii) Variance (iii) P0 X 3 (iv) P3 X 5
k xe2x for x 0
12. A random variable X has the density function f (x)
0 for x 0
Find (i) the constant k (ii) P0 X 1 (iii) PX 1 (iv) mean (v) variance
xa 2
13. A random variable X has the density function 1 2b2 for all x .
f (x) b 2 e
Prove that (i) Mean, a (ii) Variance, 2 b2
k x2 , 1 x 3
14. If the probability density function of a random variable X is f (x)
0, otherwise
Find (i) first three moments of X about the origin (ii) first three moments of X about the mean
Binomial Distribution: Let A be an event of a trial with success probability p and failure probability q, so
that p q 1. Let the trial be conducted n times. Let X be the random variable which gives the number f
successes in n trials. Then the range of X is 0, 1, 2, 3, n . Now the probability of getting x number of
successes is given by PX x nC x p x qnx for x 0, 1, 2, 3, n.
Note:
(1) Since the range of the Binomial distribution finite, it is a discrete distribution.
(2) The probability mass function (pmf) of the Binomial distribution is given by
f (x) nC x p x qnx for x 0, 1, 2, 3, n.
(3) In the Binomial distribution, PX xis also denoted by b x; n, p; that is,
b x; n, p n Cx p x qnx for x 0, 1, 2, 3, n.
(4) In the Binomial distribution,
PX x f (x) b x; n, p nC x p x qnx for x 0, 1, 2, 3, n.
(5) B x; n, p is defined as B x; n, p b 0; n, p b 1; n, p b2; n, p b x; n, p
(6) B 0; n, p b 0; n, p P(X 0) and B n; n, p 1
(7) b x; n, p B x; n, p B x 1; n, p
(8) The Mean, Variance and Standard deviation of the Binomial distribution are given by
(i) Mean, np (ii) Variance, 2 npq (iii) Standard deviation, npq
This table contains the values of B x ; n, p for n 2, 3, 20 and p 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.20, 0.95
Example (2): The mean and variance of a binomial variable X with parameters n and p are 16 and 8
respectively. Find P( X 1) and P( X 2)
0
2 2 232
(ii) P(X 2) P(X 3) P(X 4) P(X 32)
1 P(X 2) 1 P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2)
1 C0 p0 q32 32C 1 p1q3132C 2 p2 q30
32
0 32 1
1 1 32 1 1
31
1 1
2 30
1 C C 32C
32
2
0 2
2
1 2
2
2 2
1
1 32
C 0 32C 32C 1
1
1 32 496 0.9999
2 32 1 2
232
Example (3): A coin is tossed six times. Find the probability of getting (i) exactly four heads (ii) at least
four heads (iii) at most four heads
1 1
Here n 6, p and q
2 2
We know that PX x C x p x qnx for x 0, 1, 2, 3, n
n
Example (5): Six dies are thrown 729 times. How many times do you expect at least three dice
to show 5 or 6
1 2
Here N 729 , n 6 , p probability of getting 5 or 6 and q
3 3
We know that PX x C x p q
n x nx
for x 0, 1, 2, 3, n
1 6 15
3 3 3 3 3 3
1
1
64 192 240 1 496 233
36 729 729
233
Therefore, the number of times expected N P( X 3) 729 233
729
Example (6): Out of 800 families with 5 children each, how many would you expect to have (i) 3 boys
(ii) either 2 or 3 boys (iii) at least one boy (iv) 5 girls (Assume the probability of a boy or girl is same)
1 1
Here N 800 , n 5, the probability of a boy, p and q
2 2
We know that PX x C x p q
n x nx
for x 0, 1, 2, 3, n
3 2
1 1
(i) 3 boys, P( X 3) C3 p q 10
5 3 2 10
2 2 32
10
Therefore, number of families with 3 boys N P( X 3) 800 250
32
(ii) Either 2 or 3 boys, P( X 2) P(X 3) 5C 2p 2 q 3 5C 3p 3 q 2
41 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
2 3 3 2
1 1 1 1 10 10 20
10 10
2 2 2 2 32 32 32
Therefore, number of families having 2 or 3 boys N P( X 2) P( X 3) 800
20
500
32
0
2 2 32
1
Therefore, number of families with 5 girls N P( X 0) 800 25
32
Exercise:
1. Define (i) Bernoulli trials (ii) Binomial distribution
2. If X is a binomial random variable with parameters n and p , prove that (i) np (ii) 2 npq
3. The mean and variance of a binomial variable X are 4 and 3 respectively.
Determine (i) n, p (ii) P( X 3) (iii) P( X 3) (iv) P( X 3)
4. The mean and variance of a binomial variable X are 6 and 2 respectively.
Determine (i) n, p (ii) P(X 5) (iii) P( X 7) (iv) P(5 X 7)
5. Ten coins are tossed simultaneously. Find the probability of getting (i) exactly six heads (ii) at least six
heads (iii) at most six heads (iv) six or seven heads
6. Assume that 70% of all [Link] students are good in Mathematics. Determine the probabilities that
among 18 such [Link] students (i) exactly 10 (ii) at least 10 (iii) at most 8 are good in Mathematics
1
7. The probability that a man hitting a target is . If he fires 6 times, determine the probabilities that he
3
fires (i) at most five times (ii) exactly one time (iii) at least two times
8. If the probability is 0.20 that any one person will dislike the taste of new toothpaste, what is the
probability that 5 of 18 randomly selected persons will dislike it.
9. Assuming the probability of a boy or girl is same, out of 1000 families with 6 children each, how many
would you expect to have (i) 4 boys (ii) either 3 or 4 boys (iii) at least 2 boys (iv) 6 girls
3. In the Poisson distribution, PX xis also denoted by f x; ; that is,
x
f x; e for x 0, 1, 2, 3,
x!
x
4. In the Poisson distribution, PX x f (x) f x; e for x 0, 1, 2, 3,
x!
5. F x ; is defined as F x; f 0; f 1; f 2; f x; ; that is,
F 0; f 0; ,
F 1; f 0; f 1; ,
F 2; f 0; f 1; f 2; ,
6. F 0; f 0; and F ; 1
7. f x ; F x ; F x 1;
8. The Mean, Variance and Standard deviation of the Poisson distribution are given by
(i) Mean, (ii) Variance, 2 (iii) Standard deviation,
Poisson distribution Tables:
This table contains the values of F x; for different values of
Note: (1) An acceptable rule of thumb is to use this approximation if n 20 and p 0.05.
(2) If n 100 then this approximation is generally excellent so long as np 10.
3
Example (1): If a Poisson random variable X is such that P( X 1) P( X 3), determine (i)
2
(ii) P( X 1) (iii) P( X 3) (iv) P(2 X 5)
x
We have PX x e for x 0, 1, 2, 3,
x!
3
1 3
3
(i) P( X 1) P( X 3) e e
2 2 1! 3!
3 3
3 9 0 0, 3, 3
2 6
Since is always positive, we have 3
(ii) P(X 1) P(X 1) P(X 2) P(X 3) 1 P(X 0)
0
1 e 1 e 3 0.9502
0!
(iii) P(X 3) P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2) P(X 3)
0 1 2 3 3 9 27
e 1 3
3
e e e e
2 13e 0.6472
6
0! 1! 2! 3!
(iv) P(2 X 5) P(X 2) P(X 3) P(X 4) P(X 5)
3 3 33 34 35
2 3 4 5 2
e e e e e 0.7169
2! 3! 4! 5! 2! 3! 4! 5!
Example (2): If the variance of a Poisson random variable X is 3, determine (i) (ii) P( X 0)
(iii) P(0 X 3) (iv) P(1 X 4) (v) P(2 X 8)
x
We have PX x e
for x 0, 1, 2, 3,
x!
(i) Since the variance of a Poisson random variable is , we have 3
0
(ii) P( X 0) e e 3 0.0498
0!
(iii) P(0 X 3) P(X 1) P(X 2) P(X 3)
1 2 3 3 9 27
e 3
3
e e e
2 12e 0.5974
6
1! 2! 3!
(iv) P(1 X 4) P(X 1) P(X 2) P(X 3)
1
2
3
3 3
1
32 33
e e e
1! 2! 3!
47 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
e
3!
0.5974
1! 2!
(v) P(2 X 8) P(X 3) P(X 4) P(X 5) P(X 6) P(X 7)
3 4 5 6 7
e e e e e
3! 4! 5! 6! 7!
Example (3): Average number of accidents on any day in city is 1.8. Determine the probability that the
number of accidents is (i) at least one (ii) at most one
e x
Here 1.8 and P( X x) for x 0, 1, 2, 3,
x!
e0
(i) At least one, P(X 1) 1 P(X 0) 1 1 e 1.8 1 0.1653 0.8347
0!
(ii) At most one, e0 e 1
1.8
P(X 1) P(X 0) P(X 1) e 1 1.8 0.4628
0! 1!
Example (4): A hospital switch board receives an average of 4 emergency calls in a 10 minute interval.
Determine the probability that (i) there are at most 2 emergency calls in a 10 minute interval (ii) there are
exactly 3 emergency calls in a 10 minute interval (iii) there are at least 3 emergency calls in a 10 minute
interval
e x
Here 4 and P( X x) for x 0, 1, 2, 3,
x!
0! 1! 2!
4 16
e 1 4 13e 0.2381
4
2 3
4 4
e
3
(ii) Exactly 3, P( X 3) e 0.1954
3! 6
(iii) At least 3, P(X 3) P(X 3) P(X 4) P(X 5)
1 P(X 3) 1 P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2)
e 0 e1 e2
1
0! 1! 2 !
16
1 e4 1 4 1 13e4 1 0.2381 0.7619
Using tables,
(OR)
49 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
(i) At most 2, 2
P(X 2) P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2)
F 2; F 2;4 0.238
Example (5): A car hire firm has two cars which it hires out day by day. The number of demands for a
car on each day is distributed as a Poisson distribution with mean 1.5. Determine the number of days in a
year (i) on which there is no demand (ii) on which demand refused.
e x
Here 1.5 and P( X x) for x 0, 1, 2, 3, and N 365
x!
(i) On which there is no demand, P(X 0) F 0; 1.5 0.223
The number of days in a year, on which there is no demand, is given by
N P(X 0) 365 0.223 81.395 81
(ii) On which demand refused, P(X 2) 1 P(X 2) 1 F 2; 1.5 1 0.809 0.191
The number of days in a year, on which there is no demand, is given by
N P(X 2) 3650.191 69.715 70
Example (6): Suppose 2% of the people on the average are left handed. Find (i) the probability of finding
3 or more left handed (ii) the probability of finding none or one left handed.
Example (7): If the probability of a bad reaction from a certain injection is 0.001, determine the
probability that out of 2,000 individuals (i) exactly 3 individuals (ii) more than 2 individuals (iii) none
(iv) more than one individual will get a bad reaction
Here n 2000, p 0.001
Applying Poisson approximation to Binomial distribution, we have n p 2000 0.001 2
e x
We have P( X x) for x 0, 1, 2, 3,
x!
23
e 3 2
(i) Exactly 3, P( X 3) e 0.1804
3! 6
0 2
(ii) More than 2, P(X 2) 1 P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2) 1 e e e
1
0! 1! 2 !
51 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
4
1 e2 1 2 1 5e2 0.3233
2
0! 1 !
1 e21 2 1 3e2 0.594
Example (8): If 2% of the memory chips made in a certain plant are defective, what are the probabilities
that in a lot of 100 randomly chosen for inspection (i) exactly two (ii) at least three will be defective?
2
Here n 100, p 0.02
100
Applying Poisson approximation to Binomial distribution, we have n p 100 0.02 2
e x
Also we have P( X x) for x 0, 1, 2, 3,
x!
e 2 22
2
(i) Exactly two, P( X 2) e 0.2706
2! 2
(ii) At least three, P(X 3) 1 P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2)
2
e 0 e 1 e 2
4 2
0! 1
2!
1 e 1 2 1 5e
2
1!
0.3233
(OR)
Using tables,
(i) Exactly two, P(X 2) f 2; F 2; F 1; 0.677 0.406 0.271
(ii) At least three, P(X 3) 1 P(X 0) P(X 1) P(X 2)
1 F 2; 1 0.677 0.323
Exercise:
1. Define (i) Poisson distribution (ii) Poisson approximation to binomial distribution
2. If X is a Poisson random variable with parameter , prove that (i) (ii) 2
3. If X is a Poisson variate such that P X 2 P X 1, find (i) P X 0 (ii) P X 3
2
3
(iii) P X 3 (iv) P2 X 5
Note:
(1) Normal distribution is a continuous distribution and its range is (, )
(2) The Mean, Variance and Standard deviation of this Normal distribution are given by
(i) Mean,
x f (x) dx a
f (x) dx 2 b 2
(ii) Variance, x2
2
(5) P(a X b)
f (x) dx The area between X-axis and the curve from
a
a to b
(6) P( X a) P(a X a) f (x)dx 0
a
(7) P(a X b) P(a X b) P(a X b) P(a X b)
1
(8) P( X ) P( X )
55 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
2
(9) The mean, median and mode are coincide
(10) P( X ) 0.6826
P( 2 X 2 ) 0.9544
P( 3 X 3 ) 0.9974
Standard Normal distribution: A normal distribution with mean 0 and standard deviation 1 is called
Standard normal distribution. A random variable that follows standard normal distribution is called
Standard normal random variable or Standard normal variate and is generally denoted by Z .
z 2
2
1 e
The probability density function (pdf) of Z is given by f (z) for all z
2
z 2
1
Standard Normal Curve or Standard bell curve: The curve given by f (z)
2
e for all z, is
2
called the Standard normal curve
(5) P(Z a)
f (z) dz The area between Z - axis and the curve from to a
(6) P(Z a)
f (z) dz The area between Z - axis and the curve from a to
a
b
(7) P(a Z b)
f (z) dz The area between Z - axis and the curve from
a
a to b
Properties of CDF:
z
For example,
Standard normal distribution table: In this table the values of F (z) are available for different values of z .
In the first column the values of z with first decimal place and in the top row the value of second decimal
place of z are available.
Example (2): Given a random variable having the normal distribution with 16.2 and 2 1.5625,
determine the probabilities that it will take on a value (i) greater than16.8 (ii) less than14.9
(iii) between 13.6 and 18.8 (iv) between 16.5 and 16.7
X
Here 16.2, 1.5625 and 1.25 . We have Z
2
X 16.8
(i) greater than16.8, P( X 16.8) P
16.8 16.2 P Z 0.48 1 P Z 0.48
P Z
1.25
1 14.9 1
X F(0.48) 0.6844 0.3156
(ii) less than14.9, P( X 14.9) P
PZ
14.9 16.2 P Z 1.04
1.25
F 1.04 1 F (1.04) 1 0.8508 0.1492
(iii) between 13.6 and 18.8,13.6 X 18.8
P(13.6 X 18.8) P
13.6 16.2 18.8 16.2 P 2.08 Z 2.08
P Z
1.25
1.25
F 2.08 F 2.08 F 2.08 1 F 2.08
0.9812 1 0.9812 0.9624
(iv) between 16.5 and 16.7,16.5 X 16.7
P(16.5 X 16.7) P
16.5 16.2 16.7 16.2
P Z
Example (4): The mean height of 100 students in a class is 158 cm. and the standard deviation is 20 cm.
assuming that heights are normally distributed. Find how many students whose heights lie between 150 and
170 cms
X
Here 158, 20, N 100 and Z
150 X 170 150 158 Z 170 158
P(150 X 170) P P
20 20
P(0.4 Z 0.6) F(0.6) F(0.4) 0.3811
F(0.6) 1 F(0.4) 0.7257 1 0.6554 0.3811
The number of students whose heights lie between 150 and 170 cms is given by
P(150 X 170) N 0.3811100 38
Example (5): Suppose that the weights of 800 male students are normally distributed with mean 140 pounds
and standard deviation 10 pounds. Find the number of students whose weights are (i) between 138 and 148
pounds (ii) more than 152 pounds
X
Here 140, 10, N 800 and Z
(i) Between 138 and 148 pounds,
138 X 148
P (138 X 148) P 138 140 Z 148 140
P
10 10
P(0.2 Z 0.8) F(0.8) F(0.2) F(0.8) 1 F(0.2)
0.78811 0.5793 0.3674
No. of students P(138 X 148) N 0.3674 800 294
(ii) More than 152 pounds,
X 152 140
P( X 152) P
P(Z 1.2) 1 P(Z 1.2)
X
Here 34.5, 16.5, N 1000 and Z
30 X 60 30 34.5 Z 60 34.5
P (30 X 60) P P 16.5
16.5
P 0.27 Z 1.55 F(1.55) 1 F(0.27) 0.9394 1 0.6064 0.5458
No. of students P(30 X 60) N 0.54581000 545.8 546
Example (7): If a random variable has a normal distribution, what are the probabilities that it will take on a
value within (i) 1 standard deviation of the mean (ii) 2 standard deviations of the mean (iii) 3 standard
deviations of the mean
Example (8): In a Normal distribution, 7% of the items are under 35 and 89% of the items are under 63.
Find the mean and standard deviation of the distribution
35)
Given that P(X 35 0.07
P Z 0.07
35
F 0.07
35
1 F 1 0.07
35
F 0.93
Example (9): A random variable has a normal distribution with 62.4 . Find its standard deviation if the
probability is 0.2 that it will take on a value greater than 79.2
79.2)
Given that P(X 79.2 0.2
P Z 0.2
79.2
1 P Z 0.2
79.2
1 F 0.2
79.2
F 0.8
79.2
0.84
79.2 79.2 62.4
20
0.84 0.84
Example (10): Show that (i) z0.01 2.33 (ii) z0.05 1.645 (iii) z0.005 2.575 (iv) z0.025 1.96
We know that F(z ) 1
(i) Consider F z 0.01 1 0.01
F z 0.01 0.99 z0.01 2.33
(ii) Consider F z 0.05 1 0.05
1.64 1.65
F z 0.05 0.95 z0.05 1.645
2
(iii) Consider F z 0.005 1 0.005
2.57 2.58
F z 0.005 0.995 z 0.005 2.575
2
(iv) Consider F z 0.025 1 0.025
F z 0.025 0.975
67 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
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Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
z0.025 1.96
1 xa 2
x f (x) dx xe 2b dx
(i) Mean 2
2
a
0
2 2b2 2
since, e x dx and t is an odd function, so
2
te t et
dt 0
b 2
a
xa 2
1
(ii) Variance (x ) f (x) dx (x a)
2 2 2
e 2b2
dx
b 2
x a 2 xa dx
Put t 2
2
so that t and dt
2b b 2 b 2
As x to , we have t to ,
xa 2
1
(x 2b 2t 2 e t b
2
Therefore, 2 1 a) 2 e 2b2
dx 2dt
b 2 b 2
2
2b2 t 2
Normal approximation to Binomial distribution (NA to BD): Let X be a Binomial random variable
with parameters n and p. If n is very large then we can use Normal distribution in place of binomial by
X np
taking Z
npq
Note: An acceptable rule of thumb is to use this Normal approximation if np 15 and nq 15.
(1) P a X b P a X b
Note: 1 1
21 2
(2) P X a P X a
12
(3) P X b P X b
2
Example (1): If a random variable has Binomial distribution with n 30 and p 0.6. Use the normal
approximation to Binomial distribution and determine the probabilities that it will take on a value (i) exactly
14 (ii) less than 12 (iii) greater than 12
npq 2.6832
P Z 2.42 F 2.42 1 F 2.42
1 0.9922 0.0078
1
(iii) Greater than 12, P X 12 P X 13 P X 13
2
X np 12.5 np 12.5 18
P P Z
npq
npq 2.6832
P Z 2.05 1 P Z 2.05
75 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
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Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
1 F 2.05 F 2.05 0.9798
X np 15.5 np
1
(i) At most 15, P X 15 P X 15 P P Z 15.5 20
npq
2 npq 4
P Z 1.13 F 1.13 1 F 1.13
1 0.8708 0.1292
1
(ii) Exactly 15, P X 15 P 15 X 15 P 14.5 X 15.5
1
2 2
14.5 np X np 15.5 np
P
npq
npq npq
P
14.5 20
Z
15.5 20 P 1.38 Z 1.13
4 4
F 1.13 F 1.38 1 F 1.13 1 F 1.38
F 1.38 F 1.13 0.9162 0.8708 0.0454
Example (3): Find the probability that by guess-work a student can correctly answer 25 to 30 questions in a
multiple choice quiz consisting of 80 questions. Assume that in each question with four choices, only one
choice is correct and student has no knowledge of the subject
1 3
Here n 80, p and q
4 4
X np
Applying Normal approximation to Binomial distribution, we have Z
npq
1 1 3
Also, np 80 4 20, npq 80 4 4 15 and npq 15 3.873
1
Now, P 25 X 30 P 25 X 30 P24.5 X 30.5
1
2 2
24.5 np X np 30.5 np
P
npq npq npq
P
24.5 20
Z
30.5 20 P1.16 Z 2.71
Example (5): The probability that an electronic component will fail in less than 1000 hours of continuous
use is 0.25. Use the normal approximation to find the probability that among 200 such components fewer
than 45 will fail in less than 1000 hours of continuous use.
Here n 200, p 0.25 and q 0.75
X np
Applying Normal approximation to Binomial distribution, we have Z
npq
Also, np 2000.25 50, npq 2000.250.75 37.5 and npq 37.5 6.1237
1 X np 44.5 np
Fewer than 45, P X 45 P X 44 P X 44 P
npq npq
2
P Z 0.90 F 0.90 1 F 0.90
44.5 50
P Z
6.1237
1 0.8159 0.1841
Exercise:
1. Explain (i) Normal approximation to Binomial distribution (ii) Continuity correction
2. If a random variable has Binomial distribution with n 40 and p 0.6. Use the normal approximation
to Binomial distribution, determine the probabilities that it will take on a value (i) exactly 20
(ii) less than 22 (iii) greater than 22
3. Use the normal approximation to determine the probability that out of 100 patients, between 84 and 95
inclusive will survive a Heart operation, given that the chance of survival is 0.9.
4. If 62% of all clouds seeded with silver iodide show spectacular growth, what is the probability that
79 [Link] Rao, Assistant Professor, Department of
Mathematics, GVPCE(A), 9441114162.
Statistical Methods, UNIT-2 Random Variables 2022
among 40 clouds seeded with silver iodide at most 20 will show spectacular growth?
5. Use the normal approximation to determine the probability that by guess work a student can correctly
answer 35 to 40 questions in a multiple choice quiz consisting 100 questions. Assume that in each
question with four choices, only one choice is correct and student has no knowledge of the subject.