概率统计(英文) chapter 4 Continuous Random Variables and Probability Distributions教学教材.ppt

4. Continuous Random Variables and Probability Distributions ;4.1 Continuous random variables and probability density functions;Example 4.2 If a chemical is randomly selected and its PH X is determined, then X is a continuous rv because any PH value between 0 and 14 is possible. If more is known about the compound selected for analysis, then the set of possible values might be a subinterval of [0,14] such as 5.5≤x≤6.5, but X would still be continuous. If the measurement scale of X can be subdivided to any extent desired, then variable is continuous ;if it cannot, the variable is discrete. Probability distributions for continuous variables Suppose the variable X of interest is depth of a lake at a randomly chosen point on the surface, let M=the maximum depth, so that any number in the interval [0,M] is a possible value of X. If we “discretize” X by measuring depth to the nearest meter ,then possible value are nonnegative less than or equal to M. the resulting discrete distribution of depth can be pictured using a probability histogram .;If depth is measured to the nearest centimeter and the same measurement axis as in Figure 4.1(a) is used ,each rectangle in the resulting probability histogram is much narrower ,though the total area of all rectangles is still 1. A possible histogram is pictured in Figure 4.1(b); if we continue in this way to measure depth more and more finely ,the resulting sequence of histograms approaches a smooth curve, such as pictured in Figure 4.1(c).;4.1(a);Example 4.3 :Suppose take a bus to work , and that every 5 minutes a bus arrives at my stop. Because of variation in the time that I leave my house , I don’t always arrive at the bus stop at the same time, so my waiting time X for the next bus is a continuous rv. The set of possible values of X is the interval [0,5]. One possible pdf for X is ;Similarly , . The probability that I wait at least 4 minutes is Because whenever