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How Do You Find the Probability Distribution Given the Probability?

Published in Probability and Statistics 2 mins read

You can't find a probability distribution solely from a single probability value. A probability distribution describes the likelihood of all possible outcomes of a random variable, not just one specific outcome.

To understand the concept better, let's break down the key components:

  • Probability: Represents the likelihood of a single event occurring. It's expressed as a number between 0 and 1, where 0 means the event is impossible, and 1 means the event is certain.
  • Probability Distribution: A function that maps each possible outcome of a random variable to its probability. It provides a complete picture of the possible outcomes and their associated probabilities.

To find the probability distribution, you need more information, such as:

  • The type of random variable: Is it discrete (e.g., number of heads in three coin flips) or continuous (e.g., height of a randomly selected person)?
  • The possible outcomes: What are the values the random variable can take?
  • The probabilities associated with each outcome: What is the likelihood of each outcome occurring?

Example:

Imagine you are flipping a fair coin twice. The possible outcomes are:

  • HH (Heads, Heads): Probability = 1/4
  • HT (Heads, Tails): Probability = 1/4
  • TH (Tails, Heads): Probability = 1/4
  • TT (Tails, Tails): Probability = 1/4

This information defines the probability distribution for the number of heads in two coin flips.

In conclusion, you need more than just one probability value to determine the probability distribution. You require information about the random variable, its possible outcomes, and their associated probabilities.

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