Statistics 215 Lab Materials
Continuous Random Variables In the previous chapter, we introduced the idea of a random variable. In this chapter we wil...
Continuous Random Variables In the previous chapter, we introduced the idea of a random variable. In this chapter we will continue the discussion of random variables. Our focus in this chapter will be continuous random variables or random variables whose values could be any of those that fall within an interval. For examples, look back at chapter 2. The variables we will consider will primary be things that are measured in partial units: heights, weights, lengths. We will also begin to discuss the Gaussian or Normal random variable. This random variable is the one that gives us the ‘bell-shaped’ curve that is so common.
Continuous Random Variables Recall the following definition of a continuous random variable. Definition a random variable is called continuous if it can take any value inside an interval. The major difference between discrete and continuous random variables is in the distribution. Since the values for a continuous random variable are inside an interval, we cannot assign each value some probability. (If we did this, these probabilities would sum to infinity.) Consequently, we adopt the following solution, that area will equal probability. The way that we will describe probabilities is with areas. Example: Suppose that H is a continuous random variable with the following distribution. f(h)
