11

Statistics and Probability

Activity Sheets
Quarter 3 – MELC 2
Distinguishing Between a Discrete
and a Continuous Random
Variable

REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS

Statistics and Probability – Grade 11
Activity Sheet No. 02
First Edition, 2020

Published in the Philippines

By the Department of Education
Region 6 – Western Visayas

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist
in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of
the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be
necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may,
among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

This Learning Activity Sheet is developed by DepEd Region 6 –

Western Visayas.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this learning resource may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or
mechanical without written permission from the DepEd Regional Office 6 –
Western Visayas.

Development Team of Statistics and Probability Activity Sheet

Writer: Ian T. Tacsagon

Illustrator: Ian T. Tacsagon

Layout Artist: Ian T. Tacsagon

Schools Division Quality Assurance Team:

Ligaya H. Montelijao, EPS-Mathematics
Leila G. Valencia, EPS-LR
Jezereel Grace G. Tiron
Bernie P. Alcedo
Division of Iloilo City Management Team:
Ma. Luz M. De los Reyes, SDS
Ernesto F. Servillon Jr., ASDS
Arlo L. Villalva, CID Chief
Dr. Jerry M. Lego, SGOD Chief
Leila G. Valencia, EPS-LR
Ligaya H. Montelijao, EPS-Mathematics
Regional Management Team:
Ma. Gemma M. Ledesma
Dr. Josilyn S. Solana
Dr. Elena P. Gonzaga
Mr. Donald T. Genine
Mr. Adonis Mosquera
Introductory Message
Welcome to Statistics and Probability for Senior High School!

The Learning Activity Sheet is a product of the collaborative efforts of

the Schools Division of Iloilo City and DepEd Regional Office VI - Western
Visayas through the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD).
This is developed to guide the learning facilitators (teachers, parents and
responsible adults) in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to
12 Basic Education Curriculum.

The Learning Activity Sheet is self-directed instructional materials

aimed to guide the learners in accomplishing activities at their own pace and
time using the contextualized resources in the community. This will also assist
the learners in acquiring the lifelong learning skills, knowledge and attitudes for
productivity and employment.

For learning facilitator:

The Statistics and Probability for Senior High School will help you
facilitate the teaching-learning activities specified in each Most Essential
Learning Competency (MELC) with minimal or no face-to-face encounter
between you and learner. This will be made available to the learners with the
references/links to ease the independent learning.

For the learner:

The Statistics and Probability for Senior High School is developed to

help you continue learning even if you are not in school. This learning material
provides you with meaningful and engaging activities for independent learning.
Being an active learner, carefully read and understand the instructions then
perform the activities and answer the assessments. This will be returned to
your facilitator on the agreed schedule.
 Quarter 3, Week 1

Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) No. 2

Name of Learner: ALEXA S. HULLEZA

Grade and Section: STEM 11 – HIGGS
Date: MARCH 2, 2022

STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY ACTIVITY SHEET

Distinguishing Between a Discrete and a Continuous Random Variable

I. Learning Competency with Code

Distinguishes between a discrete and a continuous random variable.
(M11/12SP-IIIa-2)

II. Background Information for Learners

In our subject statistics and probability, a random variable is a variable

whose value is subject to variations due to chance. As opposed to other
mathematical variables, a random variable conceptually does not have a single,
fixed value; rather, it can take on a set of possible different values, each with an
associated probability.

A random variable’s possible values might represent the possible

outcomes of a yet-to-be-performed experiment, or the possible outcomes of a
past experiment whose already-existing value is uncertain (for example, as a
result of incomplete information or imprecise measurements). They may also
conceptually represent either the results of an “objectively” random process (such
as rolling a die), or the “subjective” randomness that results from incomplete
knowledge of a quantity.

Random variables can be classified as either discrete (that is, taking any of
a specified list of exact values) or as continuous (taking any numerical value in an
interval or collection of intervals). In probability and statistics, the mathematical
function describing the possible values of a random variable and their associated
probabilities is known as a probability distribution.

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.

Example 5. Brand Z is a company that manufactures batteries. They record

the number of defective batteries that are contained in each box before
it is sent out for delivery. If X is the number of defective batteries per
box, then what type of random variable is X?

Solution:
X is a discrete random variable, and X can be a set {0, 1, 2,…n}
where n is the total number of batteries in each box.
III. Accompanying DepEd Textbook and Education Sites

Alferez, M.S. &Duro, M.A. (2006). MSA Statistics and Probability. MSA
Publishing House. Reprinted 2016.

Belecina, R. R.et.al. (2016). Statistics and Probability. First Edition. Rex Book
Store, Inc.

CHED. Statistics and Probability. Pasig City: Department of Education -

Bureau of Learning Resources

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-statistics/chapter/discrete-rando
m-variables/

https://www.statisticshowto.com/probability-and-statistics/statistics-definitions/
discrete-vs-continuous-variables/

IV. Activity Proper

General Directions: In answering the exercises in the Learning Activity Sheet

(LAS), please be reminded not to write anything here. All answers must
be written in a separate sheet of paper. Read each problem carefully
and answer it systematically. If a solution is required, encircle your final
answer.

Exercise 1: Discrete or Continuous Random Variables

Give at least 3 examples each of Discrete Random Variables and

Continuous Random Variables. The examples are given in the table below.
Copy the same table in a separate sheet of paper. Write your answers on the
table.

Discrete Random Variables Continuous Random Variables

1. Number of learners in the classroom 1. Weights of learners in one section
2. Number of persons infected by 2. Average number of recoveries of
COVID-19 in one day COVID-19 in a month
3. Number of visitors in a tourist spot in a 3. Room temperatures in a certain time of
Week the day

Guide Questions: 

1. How will you know that a random variable is discrete or continuous?

2. What is the difference between a discrete random variable and
continuous random variable?
 Exercise 2: Identify whether the given situation involves a discrete random
variable or a continuous random variable.
Continuous random variable 1. Getting the body temperature of patient
admitted in a COVID ward
Continuous random variable 2. Collecting data about the weights of
students in a certain school
Discrete random variable 3. The number of siblings in a family in Iloilo
Province
Discrete random variable 4. The number of no work no pay employees in a
certain municipality caused by pandemic.
Continuous random variable 5. The speed of a car
Discrete random variable 6. The number of people playing LOTTO each day
Discrete random variable 7. The number of text messages received by a
particular individual in a day
Discrete random variable 8. The number of possible outcomes in rolling a
die
Continuous random variable 9. The amount of liquid in a can of soft drinks
Discrete random variable 10. The number of fouls committed by a
basketball team during the games

Exercise 3: What is that again? Complete the table below.

Experiment Random Variable X Possible Values of

Random Variable X
1. Tossing a pair of coins Number of heads that appear 0, 1, 2
2. Rolling a die Number that appears 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
3. Listing the Set of Whole Positive whole numbers
Numbers
4. Recording the scores of
players in a basketball 0 < x < 25
game
5. The Lifespan of Time until the battery
your laptop battery becomes defective
6. Amount of paint to
beautify a wall

Guide Question:

 
1. Which of the examples in the table are discrete? How about
continuous?
 Key to Solution

Exercise 1
Answers may vary
Exercise 2
1. Continuous 6. Discrete
2. Continuous 7. Discrete
3. Discrete 8. Discrete
4. Discrete 9. Continuous
5. Continuous 10. Discrete
Exercise 3

Experiment Random Variable X Possible Values of

Random Variable X
1. Tossing a pair of  coins Number of heads that appear 0, 1, 2
2. Rolling a die Number that appears 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
3. Listing the Set of Whole Positive whole numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, …
Numbers
4. Recording the scores of
    players in a basketball Scores from 0 - 25 0 < x < 25
    game
5. The Lifespan of Time until the battery becomes
0<x<∞
    your laptop battery defective
6. Amount of paint to
liters used 0<x<∞
   beautify a wall

1. Numbers 1 – 4 are discrete and numbers 5 – 6 are continuous.