Discrete Probability Distribution

Discrete Probability Distributions
Probability Distribution
A listing of all possible outcomes of an experiment and the

corresponding probability.
Random variable
A numerical value determined by the outcome of an
experiment.
Types of Probability Distributions
Discrete probability Distribution

Can assume only certain outcomes
Continuous Probability Distribution

Can assume an infinite number of values within a given range
Features of a Discrete Probability Distribution
The sum of the The outcomes The probability of

probabilities of the are mutually a particular
various outcomes is exclusive. outcome is between
1.00. 0 and 1.00.
Example 1
Consider a random experiment in which a coin is tossed three
times. Let x be the number of heads. Let H represent the
outcome of a head and T the outcome of a tail.
The possible values of x (number of heads) are 0,1,2,3
Outcome No of Heads
TTT 0
TTH 1
THT 1
THH 2
HTT 1
HTH 2
HHT 2
HHH 3
No of Heads Occurrence Probability of
(x) Outcome P(x)
0 1 0.125
1 3 0.375
2 3 0.375
3 1 0.125
0.400
0.300
Probability
0.200
0.100
0.000
0 1 2 3
No. of Heads
Mean
 The long-run average value of the random variable
 The central location of the data
 A weighted average
 Also referred to as its expected value, E(X), in a

probability distribution
 [ xP ( x )]
Variance
 Measures the amount of spread (variation) of a distribution
 Denoted by the Greek letter  2

(sigma squared)
 [( x   ) P( x)]
2 2
 Standard deviation is the square root of  .

2
  x    P( x)
2
EXAMPLE 2
Three tables listed below show “random variables” and their “probabilities”.
However, only one of these is actually a probability distribution.
X P(X) X P(X) X P(X)

5 0.15 5 0.32 5 0.26
10 -0.35 10 0.28 10 0.14
15 0.50 15 0.24 15 0.30
20 0.70 20 0.30 20 0.30
a) Which is it? Justify your answer.

b) Using the correct probability distribution, find the probability that
x is (i) exactly 15, (ii) no more than 10, (iii) more than 5.
c) Compute the mean, variance, and standard deviation of this
distribution.
X P(X) XP(X)
5 0.26 1.3
10 0.14 1.4
15 0.3 4.5
20 0.3 6
= 13.2
X P(X) (x- (x- (x-P(x)

5 0.26 -8.2 67.24 17.48
10 0.14 -3.2 10.24 1.43
15 0.3 1.8 3.24 0.97
20 0.3 6.8 46.24 13.87
 2
= 33.76
 5.81
Binomial Probability Distribution
 An outcome of an experiment is classified into one of two
mutually exclusive categories, such as a success or failure.
 The data collected are the results of counts.
 The probability of success stays the same for each trial.
 The trials are independent.
x n x n!
P(x)n C x π (1  π) nCx 
x!(n-x)!
Where,
n is the number of trials
x is the number of observed successes
p is the probability of success on each trial
 is the probability of success in each trial
Mean of the Binomial Distribution
 n
Variance of the Binomial Distribution
 n (1   )
2
EXAMPLE 3
The Alabama Department of Labor reports that 20%

of the workforce in Mobile is unemployed and
interviewed 14 workers.
a.What is the probability that exactly three are

unemployed?
b.At least three are unemployed?
Poisson Probability Distribution
 The number of times some event occurs during a specified
interval.
 The probability of the event is proportional to the size of the
interval.
 The intervals do not overlap and are independent.
x  μ
μ e
P(x) 
x!
Where,
µ is the mean number of successes in a particular interval of time
e is the constant 2.71828
x is the number of successes
Mean of the Poisson Distribution
Where, n

n is the number of trials
 the probability of a success
Variance of the Poisson Distribution

2
σ nπ
EXAMPLE 4
The Sylvania Urgent Care facility specializes in caring

for minor injuries, colds, and flu. For the evening
hours of 6-10 PM the mean number of arrivals is 4.0
per hour.
What is the probability of 3 arrivals in an hour? What

is the probability of less than 3 arrivals in an hour?

Discrete Probability Distribution

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discrete Probability Distribution

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discrete Probability Distribution

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discrete Probability Distributions

A listing of all possible outcomes of an experiment and the

Discrete probability Distribution

Continuous Probability Distribution

The sum of the The outcomes The probability of

The possible values of x (number of heads) are 0,1,2,3

 The central location of the data

 Also referred to as its expected value, E(X), in a

 Measures the amount of spread (variation) of a distribution

 Denoted by the Greek letter  2

 Standard deviation is the square root of  .

X P(X) X P(X) X P(X)

a) Which is it? Justify your answer.

X P(X) (x- (x- (x-P(x)

The Alabama Department of Labor reports that 20%

a.What is the probability that exactly three are

Variance of the Poisson Distribution

The Sylvania Urgent Care facility specializes in caring

What is the probability of 3 arrivals in an hour? What

You might also like