Discrete Probability Distribution

A discrete random variable assumes each of its values with a certain probability.

It can take on a countable number of possible values.

Examples:

Number of sixes in 10 times rolls, it can either get 0 sixes, 1 sixes, 2sixes, 3sixes, or
until 10 sixes.

Number of heads in 4 times head coin, it can either get 0 head, 1 head, 2 heads, 3
heads, or 4 heads.

A probability mass function must satisfy the following three requirements:

1. f(x) 0,

2. f(x) = 1,

3. P(X=x) = f(x),

Word problem Example:

There are 3 defective motherboards in a package of 10. Two are randomly selected
without replacement.

Find the probability distribution for the random Variable X which represents the
number of defective mother boards selected.

Solution:

Let X be the random variable for possible number of defective motherboards

purchased
 (Since only 2 can be selected, it could be either 0, 1, or 2 motherboards can be
defective in the selection)

Use P(X=x) = f(x) for identifying probability distribution

(There are 10 3 = 7 working motherboards and There are (10 2) = 45 ways to select 2
motherboards.)

(NOTE: How did I get 45? nCr = n! / r! * (n - r)!, where n represents the number of items,
and r represents the number of items being chosen at a time.)

nCr = 10! /[2!*(10-2)!] = 45 ways.

Back to solving:

f(0) = P(X=0) = (3 0)(7 2)/(10 2) = 21/45 0.466667

f(1) = P(X=1) = (3 1)(7 1)/(10 2) = 21/45 0.466667

f(2) = P(X=2) = (3 2)(7 0)/(10 2) = 3/45 0.066667

.: The probability distribution of X is

x 0 1 2

f(x) 21/45 21/45 3/45

Graphic form is important to probability distribution, most commonly used is the bar chart.
 The probability of defective mother board
0.5

0.45

0.4

0.35

0.3

0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 1 2

The Probability

Constant Probability Distribution

A continuous random variable has a probability of zero of assuming exactly any of its
values.

One that can take on a uncountable number of possible values.

Continuous random variables can take on an infinite number of possible values,

corresponding to every value in an interval.

Examples:

Liter of water left in 10L bottle

Temperature of the surroundings

NOTE: Continuous random variables cannot use the same methods we used for discrete
random variables. There will be some similarities but still gonna use a different method.

NOTE: be sure you review your calculus (especially integral).

Continuous random variable model can be used with a cure f(x), called a probability density
function (pdf).

The probability density function for continuous random variable X, if:

1. f(x) 0, for all x R.

2. f (x)

dx = 1,

b
3. P(a< X < b) = f ( x)
a
dx

Word problem Example:

Suppose for a random variable X:

f ( x) cx 3

For 2 x 4 and 0 otherwise.

What value of c makes this a legitimate probability distribution?

Solution:

A.) Verify 2nd condition ( f (x)

dx = 1,)

4 4
x4 4
2 cx dx = c 2 x dx = c [ 4 ]2
3 3
 44 24
= c[ ] = 60c
4 4

NOTE: 60c must equal to 1, in order to verify the 2nd condition.

60c=1;

C=1/60

4
1 3
.: x dx
2
60

Plot it in the graph:

F(x)=1/60x^3 for 2 x 4:

1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5