Random Variable
Random Variable
- A variable possible values are determine by chance.
- It is also called stochastic variable, is a rule that assign a
numerical value or characteristics to an outcome of an
experiment.
- Usually denoted as X or any capital letter of the alphabet.
- A random variable, which is usually written using a capital letter,
is a variable that a sign a numerical value to each outcome of a
random event. It can be classified as discreet or continuous
depending on whether is obtained by counting or by
measurement.
Example 1.
Suppose a pair coin are tossed. Let X be the random variable
representing the number of tails that occur. Find the value of the random
variable X.
Possible Value of X
Outcome (number of tails)
HH 0
HT 1
TH 1
TT 2
Therefore the values of the random variable X are 0, 1, and 2. X = {0, 1, 2}
Example 2.
Suppose three coins are tossed. Let Z be the random variable
representing the number of heads that occur. Find the value of the
random variable Z. Value of X (number of
Possible Outcome heads)
HHH 3
HHT 2
HTH 2
HTT 1
THH 2
Thus, the values of the random THT 1
variable Z are 0, 1, 2, 3. Z = {0, 1, TTH 1
2, 3} TTT 0
Example 3.
Three balls are drawn in succession without replacement from a box containing 3 red
balls and 5 yellow balls. Let G be the random variable representing the number of
Yellow balls. Find the values of the random variable G.
Possible Outcome Value of G (Balls)
RR 0
RY 1
YY 2
YR 1
Hence, the values of the random
variable G are 0, 1, 2. G = {0, 1, 2}
Example 4.
Write all possible values of each random variable.
a. X: Number of odd number outcome in rolling a die.
b. Y: Weight (in mg) of a power that not exceed 50 mg.
c. Z: Scores of a student in a 40- item test.
d. R: From 1-30 the number that is divisible by 5.
e. Q: the number of dots on the upturned face of a tossed die.
a. X: {1, 3, 5}
b. 0 ≤ Y ≥ 50
c. Z: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5,……….40}
d. G: {5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30}
e. Q: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Categories Random Variable
Discrete and Continuous Variable
Discrete Random Variable
- have a finite number of possible values.
- the word “counted” means that they can be enumerated
using the number 1, 2, 3 etc.
Example
- the number of players in the basketball each team.
- number of siblings a person has.
- the number of phone calls received each day.
- the number of “heads” flipped in 3 trials
- the number of infected of Corona Virus in January 21, 2020.
Continuous Random Variable
- have a infinite number of possible values.
- the word “uncounted” means cannot enumerate the
number of distinct values. These are typically
measurement quantities.
Example
- Temperature
- Height and Weight
- the amount of sugar in a small bottle of milktea.
- the time required to run a mile.
Activity
Find the possible values of the random variables.
1. Rolling a pair of dice, the sum of 6 that occur in a pair of die.
2. From number 1-10, selecting number that is Prime Number.
Identify whether the variable is discrete or continuous.
1. The length of time it take a tricycle driver to go from Cebu
City to Baguio City.
2. The number of examinees in 2021 licensure Examination.
3. The circumference of the earth
4. The number of absent in Grade 11 – Copper each day.
5. The volume of water in a cup of coffee.
6. The number of people attending birthday party.
7. The quantity of calories in a biscuits.
8. The temperature of a planet Venus.