Compute the mean of the discrete random variable given in Table 1 from Example 2.

Approach Find the mean of a discrete random variable by multiplying each value of the random variable by its probability and adding these products.

Data from Example 2

Suppose we ask a basketball player to shoot three free throws. Let the random variable X represent the number of shots made, so x = 0, 1, 2, or 3. Table 1 shows a probability distribution for the random variable X.

We denote probabilities using the notation P(x), where x is a specific value of the random variable. We read P(x) as “the probability that the random variable X equals x.” For example, P(3) = 0.51 is read “the probability that the random variable X equals 3 is 0.51.”

Table 1 x P(x) 0 0.01 1 0.10 2 0.38 3 0.51