Math Problem Statement

The probability distribution of the random variable X is given in the following table. Find the standard deviation of the random variable X. (Round your answer to 4 decimal places.) 

x

1

2

3

4

5

P(X =x)

0.29

0.22

0.13

0.16

0.2

Solution

To find the standard deviation of a random variable XX, we follow these steps:

  1. Compute the mean (μ\mu) of XX: μ=xxP(X=x)\mu = \sum_{x} x \cdot P(X = x)

  2. Compute the variance (σ2\sigma^2): σ2=xP(X=x)(xμ)2\sigma^2 = \sum_{x} P(X = x) \cdot (x - \mu)^2

  3. Find the standard deviation (σ\sigma): σ=σ2\sigma = \sqrt{\sigma^2}

Step 1: Calculate μ\mu

Using the formula for the mean: μ=(1)(0.29)+(2)(0.22)+(3)(0.13)+(4)(0.16)+(5)(0.2)\mu = (1)(0.29) + (2)(0.22) + (3)(0.13) + (4)(0.16) + (5)(0.2) μ=0.29+0.44+0.39+0.64+1.00=2.76\mu = 0.29 + 0.44 + 0.39 + 0.64 + 1.00 = 2.76

Step 2: Calculate σ2\sigma^2

Using the formula for variance: σ2=xP(X=x)(xμ)2\sigma^2 = \sum_{x} P(X = x) \cdot (x - \mu)^2 First, calculate (xμ)2(x - \mu)^2 for each xx:

  • For x=1x = 1: (12.76)2=(1.76)2=3.0976(1 - 2.76)^2 = (-1.76)^2 = 3.0976
  • For x=2x = 2: (22.76)2=(0.76)2=0.5776(2 - 2.76)^2 = (-0.76)^2 = 0.5776
  • For x=3x = 3: (32.76)2=(0.24)2=0.0576(3 - 2.76)^2 = (0.24)^2 = 0.0576
  • For x=4x = 4: (42.76)2=(1.24)2=1.5376(4 - 2.76)^2 = (1.24)^2 = 1.5376
  • For x=5x = 5: (52.76)2=(2.24)2=5.0176(5 - 2.76)^2 = (2.24)^2 = 5.0176

Now, compute P(X=x)(xμ)2P(X = x) \cdot (x - \mu)^2 for each xx:

  • For x=1x = 1: 0.293.0976=0.89830.29 \cdot 3.0976 = 0.8983
  • For x=2x = 2: 0.220.5776=0.12710.22 \cdot 0.5776 = 0.1271
  • For x=3x = 3: 0.130.0576=0.00750.13 \cdot 0.0576 = 0.0075
  • For x=4x = 4: 0.161.5376=0.24600.16 \cdot 1.5376 = 0.2460
  • For x=5x = 5: 0.205.0176=1.00350.20 \cdot 5.0176 = 1.0035

Summing these values: σ2=0.8983+0.1271+0.0075+0.2460+1.0035=2.2824\sigma^2 = 0.8983 + 0.1271 + 0.0075 + 0.2460 + 1.0035 = 2.2824

Step 3: Calculate σ\sigma

σ=σ2=2.2824=1.5114\sigma = \sqrt{\sigma^2} = \sqrt{2.2824} = 1.5114

Final Answer:

The standard deviation of XX is: 1.5114\boxed{1.5114}

Would you like to see a detailed explanation or verify with additional examples?


5 Related Questions:

  1. How is variance different from standard deviation in interpreting data?
  2. What are other applications of the mean and standard deviation in statistics?
  3. How do probability distributions relate to expected value and variance?
  4. Can you explain the difference between discrete and continuous random variables?
  5. How does changing the probabilities affect the mean and standard deviation?

Tip:

To minimize errors, double-check calculations involving xμx - \mu, as they are often a source of mistakes in variance computations.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Probability Distribution
Random Variables
Mean (Expected Value)
Variance
Standard Deviation

Formulas

Mean (\( \mu \)): \( \mu = \sum_{x} x \cdot P(X = x) \)
Variance (\( \sigma^2 \)): \( \sigma^2 = \sum_{x} P(X = x) \cdot (x - \mu)^2 \)
Standard Deviation (\( \sigma \)): \( \sigma = \sqrt{\sigma^2} \)

Theorems

Law of Total Probability
Properties of Variance

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12