Math Problem Statement

Find the expected value for the random variable whose probability function graph is displayed in the image.

Solution

To calculate the expected value of a random variable, you use the formula:

E(X)=xxP(x)E(X) = \sum_{x} x \cdot P(x)

Here’s the step-by-step process based on the given graph:

  1. Identify the values of xx (horizontal axis).
  2. Find the corresponding probabilities P(x)P(x) (height of the bars on the vertical axis).
  3. Multiply each xx by its corresponding P(x)P(x).
  4. Sum the results.

Let me extract the values from the graph in the image:

From the graph:

  • x=0,1,2,3,4,5x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Probabilities P(x)P(x):
    • P(0)=0P(0) = 0
    • P(1)=0.2P(1) = 0.2
    • P(2)=0.1P(2) = 0.1
    • P(3)=0.1P(3) = 0.1
    • P(4)=0.2P(4) = 0.2
    • P(5)=0.4P(5) = 0.4

Calculation:

E(X)=(00)+(10.2)+(20.1)+(30.1)+(40.2)+(50.4)E(X) = (0 \cdot 0) + (1 \cdot 0.2) + (2 \cdot 0.1) + (3 \cdot 0.1) + (4 \cdot 0.2) + (5 \cdot 0.4) E(X)=0+0.2+0.2+0.3+0.8+2.0E(X) = 0 + 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.8 + 2.0 E(X)=3.5E(X) = 3.5

Final Answer:

The expected value is 3.53.5.

Let me know if you'd like further details or explanations!


Here are 5 questions to expand on this topic:

  1. What does the expected value of a random variable represent in real-world terms?
  2. How is the expected value affected if one probability is adjusted?
  3. Can the expected value ever be a number not within the range of xx values?
  4. How does the expected value differ from the median of a distribution?
  5. What happens to E(X)E(X) if all probabilities are equally distributed?

Tip: Always ensure the sum of all probabilities P(x)\sum P(x) equals 1 when solving such problems!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability
Expected Value
Discrete Random Variables

Formulas

E(X) = Σ [x * P(x)]

Theorems

Expected Value Theorem for Discrete Random Variables

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12, College Introductory Level