Difference between revisions of "Random variable"
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(New page: A random variable is a function that assigns a unique numerical value to every possible event having an outcome dependent on chance. The random variable will typically be different for ea...) |
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[http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/steps/glossary/probability_distributions.html#randvar Statistics Glossary] | [http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/steps/glossary/probability_distributions.html#randvar Statistics Glossary] | ||
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Revision as of 02:27, April 28, 2007
A random variable is a function that assigns a unique numerical value to every possible event having an outcome dependent on chance. The random variable will typically be different for each new event, such as a new toss of a coin.
There are discrete and continuous random variables. An example of a discrete random variable is the umber of heads observed in the ten tosses of a coin. This random variable can only have the values 0, 1, 2, ... or 10. An example of a continuous random variable is the mileage on your car until it breaks down. It can have any positive value.