MAYAMOT NAT IONAL H IGH SC HOO L

S EN IO R HIG H S C H O O L D EPA RT M EN T

GENERAL MATHEMATICS

L ESSON:
DISC RETE RAN DOM VARIABLE

P r ep a r ed By : R H O NN I EL A G B AYA1 N I
 OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the learners are expected to:
1. define concepts of random variables, discrete random
variables, continuous random variables, expected value,
variance, and standard deviation of discrete random
variable.
2. differentiate discrete random variables from continuous
random variables based on their characteristics
3. identify examples of real-life situations that can be modelled
using discrete and continuous random variables.
4. apply formula to compute the expected value, variance, and
standard deviation of a discrete random variable.
2
 ACTIVITY 1
Identify the following variables below as countable or
measurable.

Countable means the quantity can be determined

by simply counting, without the use of any
measuring devices.

Measurable means the quantity must be

determined using measuring tools or instruments.
3
 ACTIVITY 1
Identify the following variables below as countable or
measurable.
Variable Countable or Measurable

1. Height of a learner. Measurable

2. Number of text messages sent Countable
3. The Weight of Newborn child Measurable
4. Time it takes to finish an
examination. Measurable
4
 ACTIVITY 1
Identify the following variables below as countable or
measurable.
Variable Countable or Measurable

5. Distance from home to school. Measurable

6. Number of books in a library. Countable
7. The speed of the moving car. Measurable
8. Number of pencils in a box Countable
5
 ACTIVITY 1
Identify the following variables below as countable or
measurable.
Variable Countable or Measurable

9. Number of teachers in a school. Countable

10. Temperature of a room. Measurable

6
 ACTIVITY 2
Examine and study the table below which shows some
variables which are grouped according to their types
and reasons.
Variable Type Reason
1. Number of children Countable, Whole numbers
Discrete
in the park. only, no fractions
Measurable with infinite
2. Weight of luggage Continuous
precision
3. Speed of a fighter Any value possible within
Continuous
jet interval, measured
7
 ACTIVITY 2
Examine and study the table below which shows some variables which are
grouped according to their types and reasons.
Variable Type Reason
Infinite possible values within a
8. Distance from Continuous range, measurable with
church to school decimals
9. Number of Senior Discrete Countable whole numbers
citizens in a barangay and finite
10. Number of Countable, Whole numbers
Discrete
teachers in school only, no fractions

8
 ACTIVITY 2
Examine and study the table below which shows some variables which are
grouped according to their types and reasons.
Variable Type Reason
4. Number of dogs in Countable, with no
the neighborhood Discrete intermediate values
5. Temperature in Smooth range of values,
Baguio City Continuous
infinitely many possibilities
6. Time to finish a 100- Continuous Any fractional value possible,
meter dash infinitely many values
7. Height of a Infinitely possible values within a
basketball player Continuous range, measurable with decimals 9
 RANDOM VARIABLES
❑ A variable whose value is determined by chance.
❑ It may take on numerical or categorical values,
depending on the experiment.
❑ Usually denoted by capital letters such as X, Y, Z, and
they represent the set of possible outcomes of a random
experiment.

Example 1: A coin is tossed 3 times. Let X be the random

variable denoting the number of heads. Find the values of the
random variable X.
 RANDOM VARIABLES
Example 1: A coin is tossed 3 times. Let X be the random variable denoting
the number of heads. Find the values of the random variable X.

1st Trial 2nd Trial 3rd Trial Result

H HHH
H
T HHT

H HTH
T
HEAD (H) T HTT

H THH
H
T THT
H TTH
T
TAIL (T)
T TTT
 RANDOM VARIABLES
Example 1: A coin is OUTCOMES X=NO. OF HEADS
tossed 3 times. Let X HHH 3
be the random HHT
variable denoting the
2
number of heads. Find HTH 2
the values of the HTT
random variable X.
1
THH 2
THT 1
Therefore, the
possible values of TTH 1
random variable X are TTT 0
0, 1, 2, and 3
 RANDOM VARIABLES

Example 2: The random variable Y denotes the number of even

number outcomes in a roll of dice. Find the possible values of Y.
 RANDOM VARIABLES
Example 2: The random variable Y denotes the number of even number
outcomes in a roll of dice. Find the possible values of Y.

Die Is it
Y= Number of Even Number
Outcome Even?
1 No 0
Therefore, the
2 Yes 1 possible
3 No 0 values of
random
4 Yes 1 variable Y are
5 No 0 0, and 1

6 Yes 1
 More Examples
Example 3: The number of getting hearts in drawing five cards
from a standard deck, the umber of hearts drawn.
( 0,1, 2,3, 4,5 )
Example 4: Number of getting heads or trails when flipping
a coin.
( 0,1)
Example 5: The number obtained when rolling a die.
( 0,1, 2,3, 4,5, 6 )
Example 6: The number of head that will appear in tossing
a coin three times.
( 0,1, 2,3)
 TYPES OF RANDOM VARIABLE

Discrete a random variable is a type that takes

value you can count.
Examples:
1. The number of coins in your pocket.
2. The number of learners in a class.
3. The number of calls received at a help desk.
4. The number of goals scored in a basketball
game.
5. The number of customers who enter a store.
16
 TYPES OF RANDOM VARIABLE

Continuous a random variable is one whose values

are obtained through measurement.
Examples:
1. The time it takes for a runner to finish a race.
2. The height of each learner in a classroom.
3. The exact amount of milk in a carton.
4. The temperature recorded at noon in a city.
5. The volume of water in a swimming pool.
17
 PROBABILITY OF A DISCRETE RANDOM VA RIABLE

Discrete random variable is one that can take on

countable values ( e.g., 0, 1, 2, …). Each possible
value has an associated probability, which satisfies:

0  P ( X = xi )  1 for each value xi

 P( X = x ) =1
i i

The probability distribution of a discrete random

variable lists all possible values and their probabilities.
18
 How to Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
A graph of a probability
distribution for a discrete
random variable is a
probability histogram or a
stick graph (vertical line
graph) that shows each
possible value of the
variable along with its
probability.
19
 How to Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
1. List the values of the random variable
2. List the probability of each value.
3. Draw the y-axis labeled with the values of the
random variable
4. Draw the y-axis labeled with “Probability”
5. Draw bars or vertical line whose heights
correspond to the probability of each value.

20
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Example 1: Construct a probability distribution showing
the number of heads that will appear when tossing a
coin three times and draw the graph.
Solutions:
Step 1: Identify the random variable
Let X = number of heads in 3-coin tosses.
Possible values of X are: 0, 1, 2, 3
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Step 2: List all possible outcomes
There are 23 = 8 outcomes when tossing a coin
three times:

TTT, TTH, THT, THH, HTT, HTH, HHT, HHH

22
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
OUTCOME NUMBER OF HEADS (X)
Step 3: Count TTT 0
the number of TTH 1
heads for each THT 1
outcome THH 2
HTT 1
HTH 2
HHT 2
HHH 3 23
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Step 4: Determine probabilities
X (Number of Number of Probability P(X)
Heads) Outcomes
0 1 1/8 = 0.125
1 3 3/8= 0.375
2 3 3/8= 0.375
3 1 1/8= 0.125
24
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Step 5: Probability Distribution Table
Heads (X) 0 1 2 3
P(X) 0.125 0.375 0.375 0.125

Check:
0.125 + 0.375 + 0.375 + 0.125 = 1

25
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Graph:
0.50
Heads P(X)
(X) 0.40
0 0.125 0.30
1 0.375 0.20
2 0.375
0.10
3 0.125
0
0 1 2 3 26
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Example 2: Construct a probability distribution table
showing the probability of the number of even
numbers in a single die roll and draw the graph.
Solutions:
Step 1: Identify the random variable
Let Y = number of even numbers in one roll of a
standard six-sided die.
Possible values of Y are: 0, 1
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
DIE Is it Even? Y
Step 2: List OUTCOME
possible 1 No 0
outcomes Yes
2 1
3 No 0
4 Yes 1
5 No 0
6 Yes 1
28
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Step 3: Determine probabilities
X (Number of Number of Probability P(X)
Heads) Outcomes
0 3 3/6 = 0.5
1 3 3/6= 0.5

29
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Step 4: Probability Distribution Table
Y 0 1
P(Y) 0.5 0.5

Check:
0.5 + 0.5 = 1

30
 Graph a Discrete Probability
Distribution
Graph:
0.50
Y P(Y)
0.40
0 0.5
1 0.5 0.30
0.20
0.10
0
0 1 31
 EXPECTED VALUE
The expected value or mean ( denoted as E(X) or µ ) of a
random variable X is the average or mean value that X will take
over many repetitions of an experiment. It represents the long-
run average outcome.
Expected value of Discrete Random Variable
For a discrete random variable with value x1 , x2 , x3 ,..., xn and
probabilities p1 , p2 , p3 ,..., pn

E ( X ) =Expected value or mean

E ( X ) =  X gP ( X ) X= Random variable
P ( X ) = Probability of the random variable
32
 EXPECTED VALUE
Example 1: A fair six-sided die is rolled. Let X be the number
that appears. Find the expected value of X.
Solutions:
A fair die has outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
E ( X ) =  X gP ( X )
21
1 1 1 1 1 1 =
= 1  + 2   + 3   + 4   + 5   + 6   6
6 6 6 6 6 6 = 3.5
1 2 3 4 5 6
= + + + + +
6 6 6 6 6 6
1+ 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6
E ( X ) = 3.5
=
6 33
 EXPECTED VALUE
Example 2: A game costs ₱10 to play. A player draws a card from a box
with 5 cards: 2 cards give ₱0, 2 cards give ₱20, and 1 card gives ₱50. Let
X be the net gain (prize minus cost). Find the expected value of the game.
Solutions:
Possible net gains:
₱10 prize → X= -10 (probability 2/5)
₱20 prize → X= 10 (probability 2/5)
₱50 prize → X= 40 (probability 1/5)

2 2 1

E ( X ) = ( -10 )   + (10 )   + ( 40 )  
5 5 5
= -4 + 4 + 8
=8 Expected gain = ₱8
34
 EXPECTED VALUE
Example 3: A survey shows the number of books
learners read in a month as follows. Find the expected
number of books a learner reads.
Number of Books (X) 0 1 2 3 4
Probability P(X) 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1

E ( X ) = 0 ( 0.1) + 1( 0.2 ) + 2 ( 0.4 ) + 3 ( 0.2 ) + 4 ( 0.1)

= 0 + 0.2 + 0.8 + 0.6 + 0.4
=2
Expected number of books = 2 35
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Variance is a measure of how much the values of a random
variable deviate from the mean (expected value). It gives an
idea of the spread or dispersion of the data. For a discrete
random variable X with expected value 𝐸(X).
Var ( X ) =  ( X − E ( X ) ) gP ( X )
2

X= possible value of the random variable

E(X)= expected value (mean) of X
P(X)= probability of X
A higher variance indicates that the values are more spread out from the
mean, while a lower variance indicates that they are closer to the mean.
36
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Standard deviation is the square root of the variance. It is
expressed in the same units as the random variable, making it
easier to interpret.

SD ( X ) = Var ( X )

Like variance, a higher standard deviation means the data is

more spread out, while a lower standard deviation means the
data is more concentrated around the mean.

37
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable

In short:

Variance measures spread in squared units.

Standard deviation measures spread in original

units, making it easier to understand and compare.

38
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Example 1: A fair six-sided die is rolled. Let X be the number that
appears. Find the variance and standard deviation.
Solutions:
Step 1: Compute the Expected Value (Mean)
E ( X ) =  X gP ( X )
21
1 1 1 1 1 1 =
= 1  + 2   + 3   + 4   + 5   + 6   6
6 6 6 6 6 6 = 3.5
1 2 3 4 5 6
= + + + + +
6 6 6 6 6 6
1+ 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6
=
6 39
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Example 1: A fair six-sided die is rolled. Let X be the number that
appears. Find the variance and standard deviation.
Step 2: Variance Formula

Var ( X ) =  ( X − E ( X ) ) gP ( X )
2

Step 3: Calculate Variance

X 1 2 3 4 5 6
P(X) 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6
40
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 3: Calculate Variance E ( X ) = 3.5
X P( X ) X − E( X ) ( X − E ( X )) ( X − E ( X ) ) gP ( X )
2 2

1 1/6 1 − 3.5 = -2.5 ( -2.5) = 6.25

2
6.25 1 6  1.0417
2 − 3.5 = -1.5 ( -1.5 ) = 2.25
2
2 1/6 2.25 1 6  0.375
( -0.5) = 0.25
2
3 1/6 3 − 3.5 = -0.5 0.25 1 6  0.0417
( 0.5) = 0.25
2
4 1/6 4 − 3.5 = 0.5 0.25 1 6  0.0417
( ) = 2.25
2
5 1/6 5 − 3.5 = 1.5 1.5 2.25 1 6  0.375
( 2.5) = 6.25
2
6 1/6 6 − 3.5 = 2.5 6.25 1 6  1.0417 41
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 3: Calculate Variance

Var ( X ) = 1.0417 + 0.375 + 0.0417 + 0.0417 + 0.375 + 1.0417

= 2.9168
 2.92
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 4: Calculate Standard Deviation

Var ( X ) = 2.9168
 2.92
SD ( X ) = Var ( X )
= 2.9168
 1.71
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Example 2: A survey shows the number of books learners read
in a month as follows. Find the expected number of books a
learner reads.
Number of Books (X) 0 1 2 3 4
Probability P(X) 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1

E ( X ) = 0 ( 0.1) + 1( 0.2 ) + 2 ( 0.4 ) + 3 ( 0.2 ) + 4 ( 0.1)

= 0 + 0.2 + 0.8 + 0.6 + 0.4
=2
44
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Example 2: A survey shows the number of books learners read in
a month as follows. Find the expected number of books a learner
reads.
Step 2: Variance Formula
Var ( X ) =  ( X − E ( X ) ) gP ( X )
2

Step 3: Calculate Variance

Number of Books (X) 0 1 2 3 4

Probability P(X) 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.1
45
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 3: Calculate Variance E(X ) = 2
X P( X ) X − E( X ) ( X − E ( X )) ( X − E ( X ) ) gP ( X )
2 2

( -2 ) = 4
2
0 0.1 0 − 2 = -2 4  0.1 = 0.4
( -1) = 1
2
1 0.2 1 − 2 = -1 1 0.2 = 0.2
( 0) = 0
2
2 0.4 2−2 = 0 0  0.4 = 0
(1) = 1
2
3 0.2 3− 2 =1 1 0.2 = 0.2
( ) =4
2
4 0.1 4−2 = 2 2 4  0.1 = 0.4

46
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 3: Calculate Variance

Var ( X ) = 0.4 + 0.2 + 0 + 0.2 + 0.4

= 1.2
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 4: Calculate Standard Deviation

Var ( X ) = 1.2

SD ( X ) = Var ( X )
= 1.2
 1.10
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Example 3: A player a simple board game where they can win or
lose money based on the roll of a spinner. The outcomes are:

X (Net Gain in ₱ -20 0 10 30

Probability P(X) 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1

E ( X ) =  X gP ( X )
= -20 ( 0.2 ) + 0 ( 0.3) + 10 ( 0.4 ) + 30 ( 0.1)
= -4 + 0 + 4 + 3
=3 49
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Example 3: A player a simple board game where they can win or
lose money based on the roll of a spinner. The outcomes are:

Step 2: Variance Formula

Var ( X ) =  ( X − E ( X ) ) gP ( X )
2

Step 3: Calculate Variance

X (Net Gain in ₱ -20 0 10 30

Probability P(X) 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1
50
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 3: Calculate Variance E(X ) = 3
P( X ) X − E( X ) ( X − E ( X )) ( X − E ( X ) ) gP ( X )
2 2
X
-20 − 3 = -23 ( -23) = 529
2
-20 0.2 529  0.2 = 105.8
( -3) = 9
2
0 0.3 0 − 3 = -3 9  0.3 = 2.7
10 − 3 = 7 ( 7 ) = 49
2
10 0.4 49  0.2 = 19.6
30 − 3 = 27 ( -27 ) = 729
2
30 0.1 729  0.1 = 72.9

51
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 3: Calculate Variance

Var ( X ) = 105.8 + 2.7 + 19.6 + 72.9

= 201
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Step 4: Calculate Standard Deviation

Var ( X ) = 201

SD ( X ) = Var ( X )
= 201
 14.18
 Variance and Standard Deviation of
Discrete Random Variable
Interpretation:

Expected Value: On average, the player wins ₱3 per game

Variance: The variance of 201 tells that there us a high spread in

possible outcomes, meaning results can vary widely.

Standard Deviation: The standard deviation of ₱14.18 implies

that most of the game outcomes typically deviate around ₱14.00
from the mean, so the game is quite risky
 SEATWORK
Directions: Construct the probability distribution table and find the mean,
variance, and standard deviation of each problem, then interpret the
results.
1. A learner buys snacks during recess. The number of snacks
she buys per day (X) follows this distribution:
Number of snacks (X) 0 1 2
Probability P(X) 0.2 0.5 0.3
2. A tricycle driver observes the number of passengers picked up
in one trip.
Passengers (X) 1 3 5
Probability P(X) 0.4 0.4 0.2
 SEATWORK
3. A customer service agent records the number of calls received
in one hour.
Calls(X) 0 1 2 3
Probability P(X) 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.2
4. A barangay health worker records the number of family
members who received a flu vaccine in a day. The probability
distribution is:
Family Members Vaccinated (X) 0 1 2 3
Probability P(X) 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.2