- Probability distribution tables list every possible value of a random variable alongside its associated probability.
- Locate the target value \(X=3\) in the table.
- Identify the value in the 'Probability: \(P(X)\)' column corresponding to \(X=3\).
- The value is \(\boxed{0.2}\).
Explanation
- Analyze the probability distribution table
The problem asks us to determine the probability of a random variable \(X\) taking the value of \(3\), denoted as \(P(3)\), based on the provided probability distribution table. A probability distribution table displays the likelihood of each outcome for a random variable. The value in the 'Probability: \(P(X)\)' column corresponds directly to the probability that \(X\) takes the value listed in the adjacent 'X' column.
- Extract the value for P(3)
To find \(P(3)\), we simply look for the row where \(X = 3\) in the table. Scanning down the 'X' column:
- For \(X = 0\), \(P(X) = 0.1\)
- For \(X = 1\), \(P(X) = 0.2\)
- For \(X = 2\), \(P(X) = 0.4\)
- For \(X = 3\), \(P(X) = 0.2\)
- For \(X = 4\), \(P(X) = 0.1\)
By identifying the row with \(X = 3\), we see that the corresponding probability is \(0.2\). Thus, \(P(3) = 0.2\).
Examples
Understanding probability distribution tables is essential in various fields, such as statistics, finance, and quality control. For example, if a store owner wants to know the probability of selling a specific number of units per day based on historical data, they can refer to a probability distribution table. This helps them manage inventory effectively by predicting demand trends. In this case, if \(X\) represents the number of daily sales, the table provides a quick way to assess the likelihood of different sales volumes.