A random experiment is a mechanism that produces a definite outcome that cannot be predicted with certainty.
The set of all
possible outcomes of an experiment is called the sample space. The sample space associated with a random experiment is the set
of all possible outcomes. An event is a subset of the sample space.
Remember that a variable is a characteristic or attribute that can assume different values. We use capital letters to denote or
represent a variable. A variable X whose value depends on the outcome of a random process is called a random variable. A
random variable is a variable whose value is a numerical outcome of a random phenomenon. It 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. A random variable can be
discrete or continuous.
Discrete Random Variables are variables that can take on a finite number of distinct values.
Continuous Random Variables are random variables that take an interminably uncountable number of potential values, regularly
measurable amounts.
Discrete random variables are variables whose values are obtained by counting. These are variables that can take on a finite
number of distinct values. For example, you can count the number of the students in a section. You
can count the Covid-19 patients in a hospital.
Continuous random variables are variables whose value are obtained by measuring. These are random variables that take an
interminably uncountable number of potential values, regularly measurable amounts.
For example, take age. You can’t count “age”. Why not? Because it would literally take forever. For example, you could be: 25
years, 10 months, 2 days, 5 hours, 4 seconds, 4 milliseconds, 8 nanoseconds, 99 picoseconds…and so on.
Height is also an example. You cannot count your height but you can measure it.
Let us try to have some examples of random variables and we will distinguish if it is discrete or continuous.
Example 1. An experiment of tossing 5 coins repeatedly and counting the number of heads that appear.
Solution: The random variable is the number of heads. It is countable. It can take the values as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. So, the random
variable is discrete.
Example 2. Finding the average number of COVID - 19 patients of the hospitals in the city for a month.
Solution: The random variable is the average number of COVID - 19 patients. It takes values on a continuous scale. So, the
random variable is continuous.
Example 3. The lifespan of the battery of our cellphones.
Solution: The random variable is the lifespan of the battery. Time takes values on a continuous scale. So, the random variable is
continuous.
Example 4. The number of text messages sent by a subscriber in a week.
Solution: The random variable is the number of text messages sent. It can take the values as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... So, the random
variable is discrete.
Mean of a Probability Distribution
The mean of a probability distribution is the number obtained by multiplying all the possible values of the variables by the
respective probabilities and adding these products together. It indicates the expected value the corresponding variable would
take.
Steps in Finding the Mean of the Probability Distribution:
1. Construct the probability distribution for the random variable X.
2. Multiply the value of the random variable X by the corresponding probability.
3. Add the results obtained in Step 2.
Sampling and Sampling Distribution
The totality of subjects (people, animals or objects) under consideration is called population. The portion chosen from a
population is called sample and the process of taking samples is called sampling.
Random Sampling is a sampling technique in which each member of the population is given equal chance to be
chosen as part of the sample. The lottery method, drawing lots, or the use of random numbers can be used to
accomplish random sampling.
Examples of population:
All likely voters in the next election
All parts produced today
All sales receipts for November5
Examples of sample:
1000 voters selected at random for interview
A few parts selected for destructive testing
Random receipts selected for audit
The measurement or quantity that describes the population is called parameter while the measurement or quantity that
describes the sample is called statistic.
Example 1:
In order to test the effect of the new drug against the corona virus to humans, 20 patients were given the dose. After a
minute, it was found that the body temperature in average, decreased by 2⁰C. Answer the following:
a) Are the 20 patients mentioned above population or sample?
b) Is the 2⁰C decrease in the body temperature considered parameter or statistic?
Answer:
a) The 20 patients taken are considered sample.
b) Since the measurement 2⁰C refers to the average decrease of the 20 patients (sample), it is therefore considered as
statistic.
Example 2:
The average score of the whole class of Grade 11 – GAS from their first performance task in General Mathematics is 28.2 having
30 points as the total score. Answer the following:
a) Is the “whole class” stated population or sample?
b) Is the 28.2 average score considered parameter or statistic?
Answer:
a) The whole class is considered population.
b) Since the 28.2 refers to the average score of the whole class (population), it is therefore considered as parameter.
Example 3:
47 out of the 100 athletes were checked on their height. The variance of their height is 3.4cm. Answer the following:
a) Are the 47 students a population or sample?
b) Is the 3.4cm variance considered parameter or statistic?
Answer:
a) The 47 students are considered sample.
b) Since the 3.4cm refers to the variance of the height of the 47 students (sample), it is therefore considered as statistic.
