Continuous Random Variables

Continuous Random Variables

Key Takeaways

  • For a continuous random variable X the only probabilities that are computed are those of X taking a value in a specified interval.
  • The probability that X take a value in a particular interval is the same whether or not the endpoints of the interval are included.
  • The probability P(a < X
 < b), that X take a value in the interval from a to b, is the area of the region between the vertical lines through a and b, above the x-axis, and below the graph of a function f(x) called the density function.
  • A normally distributed random variable is one whose density function is a bell curve.
  • Every bell curve is symmetric about its mean and lies everywhere above the x-axis, which it approaches asymptotically (arbitrarily closely without touching).