Random Variable - Mean and Variance

In summary, the conversation discusses playing roulette in a casino and observing 100 rounds with results between 1 and 36. The focus is on calculating the mean and deviation for the number of rounds where the result is odd, with a probability of 0.5. The concept of binomial random variables is also mentioned as a potential approach for solving this problem.
  • #1
EEristavi
108
5
Problem:

We play roulette in a casino. We watch 100 rounds that result in a number between 1 and 36. and count the number of rounds for which the result is odd.

assuming that the roulette is fair, calculate the mean and deviation

Solution:

I understand that the probability - Pr = 0.5. and mean - E[x] = 50. However, I can't figure out how to write it appropriately (use formula E[x] = ∑ x * Pr)

As I Understand, I must choose random variable x = 1, but don't quite understand the "true" meaning of it and why I can't choose other variable.

Moreover, I see from solutions that σs=√(100 * 0.5 * 0.5) = 5. However, I can't understand how we get this
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The number of odd results observed is a binomial random variable. Have you learned about those? If not, the wikipedia article explains them and gives formulas for the mean and standard deviation.
 
  • Like
Likes EEristavi
  • #3
EEristavi said:
I understand that the probability - Pr = 0.5.

The number 0.5 is the probability of the event that a single round will be odd. The question asks about different events. It asks about "the number of rounds for which the result is odd" in the 100 rounds. Letting X be that random variable, the possible outcomes for X are 0,1,2,...100.

I can't figure out how to write it appropriately (use formula E[x] = ∑ x * Pr)

Write it as:
(0) (probability 0 out of 100 rounds are odd) + (1)(probability 1 out of 100 rounds are odd) ... + (100)(probabiiity 100 out of 100 rounds are odd)

As @andrewkirk suggests, look up "binomial random variable" if you are unfamiliar with the expressions for these probabilities.
 
  • Like
Likes EEristavi
  • #4
Thank you both for your answers
 

1. What is a random variable?

A random variable is a numerical quantity that takes on different values depending on the outcome of a random event. It is often denoted by the letter "X".

2. What is the mean of a random variable?

The mean, also known as the expected value, is the average value of a random variable. It is calculated by multiplying each possible value of the variable by its corresponding probability and then summing up all the results.

3. How is the mean of a random variable different from its expected value?

The mean and expected value of a random variable are essentially the same thing. Both refer to the average value of the variable, but the term "mean" is more commonly used in statistics while "expected value" is often used in probability theory.

4. What is the variance of a random variable?

The variance is a measure of how spread out the values of a random variable are from its mean. It is calculated by taking the sum of the squared differences between each value and the mean, divided by the total number of values.

5. How is the variance of a random variable related to its standard deviation?

The standard deviation is the square root of the variance. It provides a more intuitive measure of the spread of a random variable, as it is in the same units as the variable itself. A larger standard deviation indicates a greater range of values, while a smaller standard deviation indicates a more concentrated distribution around the mean.

Similar threads

  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
7
Views
439
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
30
Views
2K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
5
Views
261
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
10
Views
1K
Back
Top