SHS

Statistics and Probability

Module 1:
Random Variable and Probability
Distribution

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Statistics and Probability
Module 1: Random Variable and Probability Distribution
First Edition, 2021

Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Vener Dan R. Apilado, TIII

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team

Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, PhD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, PhD, CID Chief

Virgilio C. Boado, PhD, EPS in Charge of LRMS

Erlinda M. Dela Peña, EdD, EPS in Charge of Mathematics

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II
 Lesson
1
Random Variable

Jumpstart

Figure 1 shows how human beings are fascinated with the different events
that involve probability. Humans are trying to make decisions based on how likely
a particular event or experiment will happen. Since probability is all about chance,
human-beings are trying to search for the ways to represent these events. Humans
created random variable and use the concept to make it easy for an individual to
verify the different results or probabilities of a given events or situation.

Figure 1. Different Events that use Probability

For you to understand the lesson well, do the following activities.

Have fun and good luck!

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 In your basic probability class before, you already discussed the following
terms: experiments/events, outcomes, sample, and sample spaces.

Experiments are any movement or activity which can be dome repeatedly

under similar or comparative condition. The outcomes are the result of a given
experiment while the sample space is the set of all possible outcomes of an
experiment.

Let us have an example to illustrate this: rolling a die (dice) is an example

of experiment. Upon rolling the die, it is expected that it will show a dot on the top
which are either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, these are what we call the sample space of the
given experiment. If you are only interested on a given value of dots, let say, three
dots, then “3” is what we call the outcome or the sample.

In this module, we are looking for a number that will be assigned for the
result of an experiment. What you did on Activity 2 is a preparation for the
discussion.

If there are 4 coins instead of three coins tossed, what number or value can
be assigned for the frequency of heads that will occur? If three cards are drawn
from a deck of card, what number can be assigned for the frequency of face cards
that will occur? The answer to these questions requires a knowledge of random
variable.

Recall also that a variable is a characteristic or attribute that can assume

different values (e.g. in algebra, variables like x can be any number). We are going
to use capital letter (X, Y, Z, and others) to denote or represent a variable.

Let us examine the examples below to know more about Random Variable.

Example 1: TOSSING THREE COINS

Suppose you have three coins. We want to find the number of heads that will
occur after tossing the coins.

To determine the number of sample space, we are going to use the basic
probability rule. Since there are three coins, and each coin will give us 2 outcomes,
then �(�) = 2 2 2 = 23 = 8 possible outcomes or sample space. Let us check!

We are going to use tree diagram to show us the possible outcomes of the
said experiment. Tree diagram is used in probability to show possibilities of an
event.

First Coin Second Coin Third Coin Sample Space

H H HHH
T HHT
H T H HTH
T HTT
H H THH
T T THT
T H TTH
T TTT

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 Sample Space / Possible
Number of Heads
Outcomes
HHH 3
HHT 2
HTH 2
HTT 1
THH 2
THT 1
TTH 1
TTT 0

On the given experiment, there are 8 sample spaces and since we are
interested to the number of heads (H) in each of the possible outcomes, which in

A random variable is a capacity that connects a real number with

every component in the sample space. It is a variable whose qualities are
controlled by chance. In this manner, a random variable is a numerical
amount that is derived from the results of an arbitrary trial or
experiment.
this case are 0, 1, 2, and 3. These are what we call the RANDOM VARIABLE.

Here is another example to illustrate random variable.

Example 2: BOYS or GIRLS?

An experiment consists of studying the number of boys in families with

exactly 2 children. The random variable X may be used to represent the number of
boys.

Solution:

Since we are dealing with families with 2 children, and the children can be a
boy or a girl, then there are �(�) = 2 2 = 22 = 4 sample spaces.

Let B denote the boy, while G denote the girl.

Sample Space / Possible

First Child Second Child
Outcomes
B B BB
G BG
G B GB
G GG

Sample Space / Possible Random Variable X (number

Outcomes of boys in the family)
BB 2
BG 1

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 GB 1
GG 0

Based on the sample space, there are 4 possible outcomes. Since we are only
interested with the number of boys in the family, then the random variable � =
{0,1,2}. Observed that you cannot have 3 as the value of the random variable since
it is impossible to have 3 boys in the family with two children as what the problem
given as a condition.

Example 3: DEFECTIVE or NON-DEFECTIVE

Suppose 4 laptops are tested at random. Let N represent the non-defective

laptops and let D represent the defective laptops. If we let Z be the random variable
for the number of non-defective laptops, determine the value of the random variable
Z.

Solution:

Based on the given problem, there are 4 laptops that we will be tested at
random and each laptop can either be defective or non-defective.

Let us first determine the number of sample space. Since there are 4 laptops
and each laptop can be defective or non-defective, then �(�) = 2 2 2 2 = 24 = 16
sample space / possible outcomes.

First Second Third Fourth Sample Space

N NNNN
N D NNND
N NNDN
N D D NNDD
N NDNN
N D NDND
D N NDDN
N D D NDDD
N DNNN
N D DNND
N N DNDN
D D D DNDD
N DDNN
N D DDND
D N DDDN
D D DDDD

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 Sample Space / Possible Random Variable Z
Outcomes (Number of Non-Defective Laptops)
NNNN 4
NNND 3
NNDN 3
NNDD 2
NDNN 3
NDND 2
NDDN 2
NDDD 1
DNNN 3
DNND 2
DNDN 2
DNDD 1
DDNN 2
DDND 1
DDDN 1
DDDD 0

From the table, the values of the random variable Z are 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
This means that it is possible that out of the 4 laptops you will have, there can be 0,
1, 2, 3, or 4 non-defective. It can also be observed that no number is greater than 4.

TYPES OF RANDOM VARIABLE

The random variable that we had from the three examples are classified as
discrete random variable. There are two types of random variables and these are
the discrete random variable and the continuous random variable. In this
module we are going to discuss and deal only with the first type, since the second
type needs higher mathematics.

Discrete Random Variables are variables that can take on a finite number
of distinct values. In easier definition, discrete random variable is a set of possible
outcomes that is countable.

Examples are the number of heads acquired while flipping a coin three times,
the number of defective chairs, the number of boys in the family, the number of
students present in the online class, and more.

Continuous Random Variable are random variables that take an infinitely

uncountable number of potential values, regularly measurable amounts.

Often, continuous random variables represent measured data, such as

height, weights, and temperature.

Let us have examples to illustrate and distinguish discrete from continuous

random variable.

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Example 3: Am I DISCRETE or CONTINUOUS!

Experiment Random Variable X Types of Random Variable

Determine the Discrete
The number of defective
defective cell phones in (Reason: You can count the number
phones.
the given shipment of defective phones)
Continuous
Buying two trays of The weight of eggs in (Reason: Since we are talking about
eggs in the market kilograms. the weight of the eggs, and weight is
measurable)
Discrete
The sum of the number (Reason: Since the number of dots is
Rolling a pair of dice.
of dots on the top faces. countable, it takes a finite number:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12)
The number of accidents
Vehicular Accidents Discrete
happened at the
happened in La Union (Reason: Accidents are countable)
intersection
Learners will prepare The time spent by the
Continuous
for a quiz in learners studying for a
(Reason: Time is a measurable unit)
Mathematics quiz in Mathematics

Just keep in mind that discrete random variables are countable, while
continuous random variable are those measured or uncountable.

Explore

Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and
strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Activity 1: CLASSIFY ME!

Directions: Classify whether the following random variables are DISCRETE or
CONTINUOUS. Write D or C only. Write your answer on the space provided.
__________1. The number of deaths per year attributed to lung cancer.
__________2. The average amount of electricity consumed per household per month.
__________3. The number of patient arrivals per hour at a medical clinic.
__________4. The number of bushels of mangoes per hectare this year.
__________5. The number of voters favoring a candidate.
__________6. The number of people who are playing LOTTO each day.
__________7. The amount of sugar in a cup of coffee.
__________8. The time needed to finish the test.
__________9. The number of female athletes in R1AA.

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__________10. The speed of a car.
__________11. The number of dropouts in a school district for a period of 10 years.
__________12. The amount of paint utilized in a building project.
__________13. The number of siblings in a family of a region.
__________14. The weight of newborns each year in a hospital.
__________15. The number of COVID-19 cases each day.

Activity 2: JUSTIFY ME!

Directions: Given the following experiments, give the random variable X that fits
the type of random variable given. The first entry is already answered as your guide.

Type of Random
Experiment Random Variable X
Variable
Example:
The number of La Union tourist
The car travelling in La Discrete
spots visited.
Union tourist spots.

Playing mobile games Continuous

The learners reading a

Discrete
module.
Eating your breakfast every
Continuous
day.

Learners going to school. Discrete

Visiting the social media

Discrete
sites.

Activity 3: FINDING MY VALUE!

Directions: Find the possible values of the given random variable of the following
experiments below. Write your answer on the space provided.

1. Supposed two coins are tossed, let P be the random variable representing the
number of heads that occur. Find the values of the random variable P.

Possible Outcomes Random Variable P

Answer: The values of the random variable P are ___________________.

2. Inside the box are 2 balls – one white and one yellow. Two balls are picked
one at a time with replacement (meaning the ball is replaced once picked).
Let X be the random variable representing the number of white balls. Find
the values of the random variable X.

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 Possible Outcomes Random Variable X

Answer: The values of the random variable X are ___________________.

3. Suppose three cellphones are tested. Let R represent the defective cellphones
and N for the non-defective cellphones. Let U be the random variable that
represent the defective cellphones. What are the possible values of the
random variable R?

Possible Outcomes Random Variable U

Answer: The values of the random variable U are ___________________.

Great job! You have understood the lesson.

Are you ready to summarize?

Deepen

At this point, you are going to apply what you have learn about the random
variables. You are expected to solve problems regarding finding the value of a
random variable.

What you need:

A piece of paper/Bond Paper
Ballpen or any writing material

What you must do:

Read the problem below. After reading, prepare a table just like what we did
in the different examples previously. You are expected to determine the number of
possible outcomes or sample space (S). The correct values of random variables and
interpretation of the obtained values (see example 2 and 3 as your reference). You
will be scored based on the give rubrics found at the end of the module.

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