Discrete Probability
Distribution
FRANCISCO F. TABERNA
NOVEMBER 21, 2016
Probability Described by a
Formula
To ascertain that a formula
describes a probability distribution,
the following steps should be
followed:
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STEPS
1. Substitute the values of the random
variable in the formula
2. Check the sum of the obtained values
Note: Values obtained must satisfy the
properties of Discrete Probability
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Example 1
Determine
whether or not the formula
below describes a probability distribution.
If it is, find the following
1. P(x=3), 2. P(x≥1) 3. P(x≤1)
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Solution
The formula gives a
0 probability
0
1 distribution because
where X=0, 1, 3.
1
3 Likewise, the sum of
all probability values
3 is equal to 1.
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Solution
Therefore,
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Solution
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Example 2
Show the probability
distribution of the formula
described by
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Discrete Probability
Distribution
The probability distribution
(probability mass function) of a discrete
random variable is a table that gives a
list of probability values along with their
associated value in the sample space.
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Discrete Probability
Distribution
It can be shown graphically by
constructing a histogram. The
graph is called a PROBABILITY
HISTOGRAM.
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HISTOGRAM
The probability histogram
displays the possible value of a
discrete random variable on the
horizontal axis and probabilities of
those values on the vertical axis.
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Example
Construct the probability
histogram of the probability
distribution of the number of tails
in flipping a coin twice.
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Solution
Sample Space
Outcome Number of Tails (X)
HH 0
HT 1
TH 1
TT 2
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Solution
Construct the frequency
distribution of the values of the
random variable (X = number of
tails)
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FREEQUENCY
DISTRIBUTION
Number of Tails Frequency Probability
0 1 ¼
1 2 ½
2 1 ¼
Total 4
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HISTOGRAM
1/2
0.50
0.45
0.40
X P(X)
0.35
0.30
1/4 1/4
0 1/4
0.25
1 1/2
P(X)
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
2 1/4
0 1 2
X
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Example 2
By constructing a discrete probability
distribution of an experiment where the
sum of the number shown on a pair of
dice in a single throw is considered, find
the probability of getting a sum of 3 to
9.
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Solution
Sample Space
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 (1,1)=2 (1,2)=3 (1,3)=4 (1,4)=5 (1,5)=6 (1,6)=7
2 (2,1)=3 (2,2)=4 (2,3)=5 (2,4)=6 (2,5)=7 (2,6)=8
3 (3,1)=4 (3,2)=5 (3,3)=6 (3,4)=7 (3,5)=8 (3,6)=9
4 (4,1)=5 (4,2)=6 (4,3)=7 (4,4)=8 (4,5)=9 (4,6)=10
5 (5,1)=6 (5,2)=7 (5,3)=8 (5,4)=9 (5,5)=10 (5,6)=11
6 (6,1)=7 (6,2)=8 (6,3)=9 (6,4)=10 (6,5)=11 (6,6)=12
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Solution
Discrete Probability Distribution
Sum(x) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
P(X=x)
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Solution
The probability of getting a sum of
3 to 9 is
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Probability Distribution
Histogram
0.2
0.17
0.14
0.11
0.08
0.06
0.03
0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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KEY POINTS
A probability distribution of a
DRV is a correspondence that
assigns probabilities to the values of
a random variable. It is also called
PROBABILITY MASS FUNCTION.
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KEY POINTS
Probability distribution is a
listing of the possible values and
the corresponding probabilities of a
DRV or a formula for the
probabilities.
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KEY POINTS
For any DRV X, the
following are true.
, for each value of X
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KEY POINTS
A probability distribution can be
described by a formula
The probability histogram is a bar
graph that displays the possible values of
a DRV and its corresponding probabilities.
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ICL
Form a group of 15 members.
Ask each member to give the
number of siblings they have.
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ICL: GROUP 1
Let S be the random variable that
represents the number of siblings.
Construct the probability
distribution of the random variable S.
Construct the probability histogram.
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ICL: GROUP 2
Let B be the number of boys in a
family
Construct the probability distribution
of the random variable B.
Construct the probability histogram
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ICL: GROUP 3
Let G be the number of girls in a
family
Construct the probability distribution
of the random variable G.
Construct the probability histogram
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