Illustrating

Discrete
Probability
Distribution
Probability
Distribution
Probability Distribution
The resulting distribution is
called a probability distribution
of the discrete random variable.
It is also sometimes called the
probability mass function.
Step 1: List down the sample space of the
experiment.
Step 2: Count the number of variables in
each outcome and assign this number to the
outcome.
Step 3: Construct the frequency distribution
of the values of the random variable.
Step 4: Construct the probability distribution
of the random variable by getting the
probability of occurrence of each value of the
random variable
Example 1
If three bananas are taken from
the basket one after the other,
determine the possible values of
the random variable r
representing the number of ripe
bananas.
Example 2
Suppose two coins are tossed and
you are interested to determine the
number heads that will come out in the
experiment. Use H to represent the
number of heads that will come out.
Determine the values of the random
variable H.
Properties of a
Discrete
Probability
Distribution
Example 3
Considering the probability distribution of the number
of ripe bananas given in the table below, find the following

R 3 2 1 0
P(R) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
1. P(R = 3)
4. P(R < 2)

2. P(R = 1)
5. ∑P(R)
Discrete Probability
Distribution
Described by a
Formula
Example 4
Determined whether or not
the formula P(X) = for X = 0,
1, 3 describes a probability
distribution. If so, find the
following.
 Graphical
Presentation of a
Discrete Probability
Distribution
Probability Histogram
The probability distribution
of a discrete random variable
can be shown graphically by
constructing a histogram, called
a probability histogram.
Example 5
Construct the probability
histogram of the probability
distribution of the number of ripe
bananas (example number one).
Example 6
Construct the probability
histogram of the probability
distribution of the number of
heads (example number two).
Lesson 1.3
Finding the Mean
and Variance of a
Discrete Probability
Distribution
The Mean of a
Discrete
Probability
Distribution
 To find the mean (μ) or expected
value E(X) of a discrete probability
distribution, use the following formula:
μ = E(X) = ∑[X ●
P(X)]
where μ = mean
X = value of the random variable
P(X) = probability value of the
random variable
Example 1
Find the mean of the discrete random
variable X with the following probability
distribution.
X 3 2 1 0
P(X) 1/8 3/8 3/8 1/8
Example 2
Find the mean of the discrete random
variable X with the following probability
distribution.
X 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
P(X) 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.15 0.21 0.26 0.21
9 9 8 5 2 2 5
 The Variance and
Standard Deviation of
a Discrete Probability
Distribution
 To find the variance and standard
deviation of a Discrete Probability
Distribution.
σ² =∑[X² ● P(X)] - μ² σ=

where μ = mean
X = value of the random variable
P(X) = probability value of the
random variable

σ² = variance
Example 3
Find the variance and standard
deviation of the discrete random variable X
with the following probability distribution.

X 0 1 2 3 4 5
P(X) 0.42 0.16 0.13 0.11 0.09 0.07
4 1 4 1 3 7
Example 4
Find the variance and standard deviation
of the discrete random variable X with the
following probability distribution.

X 1 2 3 4 5
P(X) 0.238 0.290 0.177 0.158 0.137
 Solving Applied
Problems Involving
Mean and Variance of a
Discrete Probability
Distribution
Example
The following data show the probability
distribution of the number of computers
sold daily in a computer shop for the past
months.
Number of
Computers 0 1 2 3 4 5
X
P(X) 0.10 0.20 0.45 0.15 0.05 0.05
Problems:
What is the probability
that on a given day,
a. Fewer than three computers will be
sold?
b. At most, two computers will be sold?
c. At least, four computers will be sold?
d. Exactly three computers will be sold?
 a. fewer than three
computers will be
sold?
Number of
Computers 0 1 2 3 4 5
X
P(X) 0.10 0.20 0.45 0.15 0.05 0.05
Solution:
a. fewer than three
computers will be
sold?
P( X < 3 ) = P(0) + P(1) +
P(2)
= 0.10 + 0.20 +
0.45
 b. at most, two computers
will be sold?
Number of
Computers 0 1 2 3 4 5
X
P(X) 0.10 0.20 0.45 0.15 0.05 0.05
Solution:
b. at most, two computers
will be sold?
P( X 2 ) = P(0) + P(1) + P(2)
= 0.10 + 0.20 +
0.45
= 0.75
 c. at least, four computers
will be sold?
Number of
Computers 0 1 2 3 4 5
X
P(X) 0.10 0.20 0.45 0.15 0.05 0.05
Solution:
c. at least, four computers
will be sold?
P( X 4 ) = P(4) + P(5)
= 0.05 + 0.05
= 0.10
 d. Exactly three computers
will be sold?
Number of
Computers 0 1 2 3 4 5
X
P(X) 0.10 0.20 0.45 0.15 0.05 0.05
Solution:
d. exactly three computers
will be sold?
P( X = 3 ) = 0.15
 The following data show the
probability distribution of the number
of tellers (X) who attend to the
customers during the busy hours at
noon time varies form day to day.
Number
of 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Tellers X
P(X) 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.15 0.21 0.26 0.21
9 9 8 5 2 2 5
 Problems:
What is the probability that on a
given day,
a. Exactly four tellers were busy at 12:00
noon?
b. At least, two tellers were busy at 12:00
noon?
c. Fewer than five tellers were busy at 12:00
noon?
d. At most, three tellers were busy at 12:00