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Continuous Random Variables

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A continuous random variable maps outcomes to values of an uncountable set (e.g., the real numbers). For a continuous random variable, the probability of any specific value is zero, whereas the probability of some infinite set of values (such as an interval of non-zero length) may be positive.

Basic Definition

Cumulative distribution function for a continuous random variable X with a numerical value of interest a is 0af(x)dx=F(a)

Key Variables

μX=E(X)

σX2=Var(X)=E[(XμX)2]=E(X2)μX2


Standardized Random Variable

Z=XμXσX

E(Z)=1,Var(Z)=1


Normal Distribution

Probability Density Function

f(x)=12πσX2e(xμX)22σX2, x

Jointly Distributed Continuous Random Variable