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Discrete vs Continuous Random Variables

This document discusses discrete and continuous random variables. Discrete random variables have a finite or countably infinite number of possible values, like the number of pencils in a box. Continuous random variables can have any value within a range, like a person's body temperature. Examples are provided of discrete variables like the number of heads from coin flips and continuous variables like the probability of an event. The document concludes with examples determining if variables are discrete or continuous.

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692 views18 pages

Discrete vs Continuous Random Variables

This document discusses discrete and continuous random variables. Discrete random variables have a finite or countably infinite number of possible values, like the number of pencils in a box. Continuous random variables can have any value within a range, like a person's body temperature. Examples are provided of discrete variables like the number of heads from coin flips and continuous variables like the probability of an event. The document concludes with examples determining if variables are discrete or continuous.

Uploaded by

Silhouette Dream
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Random Variables
  • Discrete Random Variable
  • Continuous Random Variable
  • Examples and Practice Problems
  • Create Your Own Example

Discrete and Continuous

Random Variable
Discrete Random Variable
- a random variable with a finite number
of possible values or an infinite number
of values that can be counted
Examples
Number of pencils in the box
Number of soldiers in the troop
Number of rotten tomatoes in the basket
Number of defective flashlights
Continuous Random Variable
- a random variable that can assume an
infinite number of values that can take
decimal or fractional values
Examples
Amount of antibiotics in the vial
Lifetime of lightbulbs in minutes
Length of wire ropes
Voltage of radio batteries
Let’s Try This!
Example 1:
A random variable has the following
value: 7, 8, 10, 13, or 21. Is the random
variable discrete or continuous?
Based on the given, we see that the
number of possible values of the random
variable is finite. Thus, the random
variable is discrete.
Example 2:
Determine whether the recorded body
temperature of a patient in a hospital is a
discrete or continuous random variable.
The body temperature of a patient may
take infinitely many possible decimal
values such as 37.8℃, 41.1℃, and
34.51℃. Thus, the body temperature of
a patient is a continuous random
variable.
Example 3:
Rose flips a coin continuously and
counts how many times heads appear.
Does this represent a discrete or
continuous random variable?
In this case, the number of heads that
appear are countable as 1, 2, 3, and so
on. Thus, the random variable is
discrete.
Example 4:
The value of the probability 𝑃 of an
event ranges from 0 to 1. Is 𝑃 a discrete
or continuous random variable?
The values of 𝑃 is between 0 and 1,
meaning it can be 0.15, 0.32, 0.98, and
so on. Therefore, 𝑃 is a continuous
random variable.
Example 5:
Let 𝑌 be a random variable that denotes
the number of boys in a flag ceremony.
Is 𝑌 discrete or continuous?
The number of boys in a flag ceremony
can be counted as 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on.
Therefore, 𝑌 is a discrete random
variable.
Make Your Own!
Give one example of discrete and
one example of continuous random
variables.

Discrete and Continuous Random Variable
Discrete Random Variable - a random variable with a finite number of possible values or an infinite number of values that c
Examples Number of pencils in the box Number of soldiers in the troop Number of rotten tomatoes in the basket Number of defec
Continuous Random Variable - a random variable that can assume an infinite number of values that can take decimal or fracti
Examples Amount of antibiotics in the vial Lifetime of lightbulbs in minutes Length of wire ropes Voltage of radio batteries
Let’s Try This!
A random variable has the following value: 7, 8, 10, 13, or 21. Is the random variable discrete or continuous? Example 1:
Based on the given, we see that the number of possible values of the random variable is finite. Thus, the random variable
Determine whether the recorded body temperature of a patient in a hospital is a discrete or continuous random variable. Exa
The body temperature of a patient may take infinitely many possible decimal values such as 37.8 , 41.1 , and ℃ ℃ 34.51 .

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