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A property that can have different values because there is an element of chance involved in obtaining any value for the property.
A random variable is often represented by an upper case letter, say X.
Example 1
The random selection of an individual from a population is subject to chance. The height of a selected individual will depend on the individual selected and is therefore a random variable. This may be written as, let X represent the height of a randomly selected individual.
Example 2
The random selection of 10 individuals from a population is subject to chance. The number of left-handed people in a sample of 10 individuals will depend on the individuals selected and is therefore a random variable. This may be written as, let X represent the number of left-handed people in a random selection of 10 individuals.
See: continuous random variable, discrete random variable
Curriculum achievement objectives references
Probability: Levels (7), 8
