概率论与数理统计英文版第三章.doc

Chapter 3. Random Variables and Probability Distribution Concept of a Random Variable Example: three electronic components are tested sample space (N: non defective, D: defective) S =｛NNN, NND, NDN, DNN, NDD, DND, DDN, DDD?｝? allocate a numerical description of each outcome concerned with the number of defectives each point in the sample space will be assigned a numerical value of 0, 1, 2, or 3. random variable X: the number of defective items, a random quantity random variable Definition 3.1 A random variable is a function that associates a real number with each element in the sample space. 　X: a random variable 　x : one of its values 　Each possible value of X represents an event that is a subset of the sample space 　electronic component test: E =｛DDN, DND, NDD?｝ =｛X = 2｝. Example 3.1 Two balls are drawn in succession without replacement from an urn containing 4 red balls and 3 black balls. Y is the number of red balls. The possible outcomes and the values y of the random variable Y ? Example 3.2 A stockroom clerk returns three safety helmets at random to three steel mill employees who had previously checked them. If Smith, Jones, and Brown, in that order, receive one of the three hats, list the sample points for the possible orders of returning the helmets,and find the value m of the random variable M that represents the number of correct matches. The sample space contains a finite number of elements in Example 3.1 and 3.2. another example: a die is thrown until a 5 occurs, 　F: the occurrence of a 5 　N: the nonoccurrence of a 5 obtain a sample space with an unending sequence of elements 　　　S =｛F, NF, NNF, NNNF, . . .｝? the number of elements can be equated to the number of whole numbers; can be counted Definition 3.2 If a sample space contains a finite number of possibilities or an unending sequence with as many elements as there are whole numbers, it is called a discrete sample space. The outcomes of some statistical exp