# 5.1 Discrete random variables: probability distribution function

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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.

$\text{P(x)}$ = probability that $X$ takes on a value $x$ .

 $x$ $\text{P(x)}$ 0 $\text{P(x=0)}=\frac{2}{50}$ 1 $\text{P(x=1)}=\frac{11}{50}$ 2 $\text{P(x=2)}=\frac{23}{50}$ 3 $\text{P(x=3)}=\frac{9}{50}$ 4 $\text{P(x=4)}=\frac{4}{50}$ 5 $\text{P(x=5)}=\frac{1}{50}$

$X$ takes on the values 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. This is a discrete $\mathrm{PDF}$ because

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

$\frac{2}{50}+\frac{11}{50}+\frac{23}{50}+\frac{9}{50}+\frac{4}{50}+\frac{1}{50}=1$

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 .

$X$ takes on what values?

0, 1, 2, and 3

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

 $x$ $\mathrm{P\left(x\right)}$ 0 0.01 1 0.04 2 0.15 3 0.80

anyone know any internet site where one can find nanotechnology papers?
research.net
kanaga
Introduction about quantum dots in nanotechnology
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Bharti
do you think it's worthwhile in the long term to study the effects and possibilities of nanotechnology on viral treatment?
absolutely yes
Daniel
how to know photocatalytic properties of tio2 nanoparticles...what to do now
it is a goid question and i want to know the answer as well
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Abigail
for teaching engĺish at school how nano technology help us
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Do somebody tell me a best nano engineering book for beginners?
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what is fullerene does it is used to make bukky balls
are you nano engineer ?
s.
fullerene is a bucky ball aka Carbon 60 molecule. It was name by the architect Fuller. He design the geodesic dome. it resembles a soccer ball.
Tarell
what is the actual application of fullerenes nowadays?
Damian
That is a great question Damian. best way to answer that question is to Google it. there are hundreds of applications for buck minister fullerenes, from medical to aerospace. you can also find plenty of research papers that will give you great detail on the potential applications of fullerenes.
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what is the Synthesis, properties,and applications of carbon nano chemistry
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is Bucky paper clear?
CYNTHIA
carbon nanotubes has various application in fuel cells membrane, current research on cancer drug,and in electronics MEMS and NEMS etc
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so some one know about replacing silicon atom with phosphorous in semiconductors device?
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Harper
Do you know which machine is used to that process?
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how to fabricate graphene ink ?
for screen printed electrodes ?
SUYASH
What is lattice structure?
of graphene you mean?
Ebrahim
or in general
Ebrahim
in general
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Graphene has a hexagonal structure
tahir
On having this app for quite a bit time, Haven't realised there's a chat room in it.
Cied
what is biological synthesis of nanoparticles
what's the easiest and fastest way to the synthesize AgNP?
China
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types of nano material
I start with an easy one. carbon nanotubes woven into a long filament like a string
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many many of nanotubes
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what is the function of carbon nanotubes?
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I'm interested in nanotube
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what is nanomaterials​ and their applications of sensors.
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