<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
This module introduces the Probability Distribution Function (PDF) and its characteristics.

A discrete probability distribution function has two characteristics:

  • Each probability is between 0 and 1, inclusive.
  • The sum of the probabilities is 1.

A child psychologist is interested in the number of times a newborn baby's crying wakes its mother after midnight. For a random sample of 50 mothers, the following information was obtained. Let X = the number of times a newborn wakes its mother after midnight. For this example, x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

P(x) = probability that X takes on a value x .

x P(x)
0 P(x=0) = 2 50
1 P(x=1) = 11 50
2 P(x=2) = 23 50
3 P(x=3) = 9 50
4 P(x=4) = 4 50
5 P(x=5) = 1 50

X takes on the values 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. This is a discrete PDF because

  1. Each P(x) is between 0 and 1, inclusive.
  2. The sum of the probabilities is 1, that is,

2 50 + 11 50 + 23 50 + 9 50 + 4 50 + 1 50 = 1

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Suppose Nancy has classes 3 days a week. She attends classes 3 days a week 80% of the time, 2 days 15% of the time, 1 day 4% of the time, and no days 1% of the time. Suppose one week is randomly selected.

Let X = the number of days Nancy ____________________ .

Let X = the number of days Nancy attends class per week .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

X takes on what values?

0, 1, 2, and 3

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Suppose one week is randomly chosen. Construct a probability distribution table (called a PDF table) like the one in the previous example. The table should have two columns labeled x and P(x) . What does the P(x) column sum to?

x P(x)
0 0.01
1 0.04
2 0.15
3 0.80
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Practice Key Terms 1

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Collaborative statistics. OpenStax CNX. Jul 03, 2012 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10522/1.40
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Collaborative statistics' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask
Hope Percle
Start Quiz
Hannah Sheth
Start Quiz