2. Probability Function

c. interpret a cumulative distribution function;

## d. calculate and interpret probabilities for a random variable, given its cumulative distribution function;

How do you read the probability function: P(X = x) Probability that a random variable X (big X) takes on the value x (little x)

What are the two key properties of a probability function? 1. 0 <= P(X=x) <= 1 - probability is always a number between 0 and 1 2. ∑P(X=x) = 1 - The sum of exhaustive probabilities must equal 1

Is the following example a valid probability function? p(x) = x/6 for X = 1, 2, 3 for all other values p(x) = 0 Yes, this is a valid probability function because it satisfies both properties. I.e.: 1. p(1) = 1/6, p(2) = 2/6, p(3) = 3/6 - all probabilities are between 0 and 1 2. 1/6 + 2/6 + 3/6 = 6/6 = 1 - the exhaustive values sum to 1

Is the following example a valid probability function? p(x) = (2x - 3)/16 for X = 1, 2, 3, 4 for all other values p(x) = 0 No, this is not a valid probability function because it fails the first test. I.e.: p(1) = -1/16 - a probability can’t be negative

What is the notation for the probability density function for continuous random variables? f(x)

The probability for a discrete set of variables will always add up to one, and can be displayed in a table or graph. How is the probability of a continuous random variable be measured and displayed? The continuous random variable will never have an exact value b/c there are unlimited number of values in the range. Instead, you have to measure the area under the graph of a range of the values. E.g., instead of saying p(6) you would want the percent of the area for values between P(5.99 <= X <= 6.01). The area under the graph will always add up to 1.