Skip to Content
Probability, Random Variables, and Random Processes: Theory and Signal Processing Applications
book

Probability, Random Variables, and Random Processes: Theory and Signal Processing Applications

by John J. Shynk
November 2012
Intermediate to advanced
794 pages
22h 9m
English
Wiley-Interscience
Content preview from Probability, Random Variables, and Random Processes: Theory and Signal Processing Applications

3.4 PROBABILITY MASS FUNCTION

An example of the distribution function for a discrete random variable is shown in Figure 3.8. Observe that there are two distinguishing features of this type of distribution function:

FIGURE 3.8 Distribution function for a discrete (Bernoulli) random variable.

ch00.3fig008.eps
  • FX(x) changes instantaneously at values of x that are outcomes of the random variable.
  • FX(x) remains constant between these outcomes.

There are two useful ways of representing the outcomes and the probability assignment for a discrete random variable, using either the Kronecker delta function or the Dirac delta function . The distribution function in Figure 3.8 corresponds to the symmetric Bernoulli random variable with equally likely outcomes . This random variable would arise, for example, when tossing a single fair coin with the mapping: and .

The Kronecker delta function is convenient for representing the outcomes of a discrete random variable because there are no continuity issues. Moreover, ...

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

Read now

Unlock full access

More than 5,000 organizations count on O’Reilly

AirBnbBlueOriginElectronic ArtsHomeDepotNasdaqRakutenTata Consultancy Services

QuotationMarkO’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.
Julian F.
Head of Cybersecurity
QuotationMarkI wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.
Addison B.
Field Engineer
QuotationMarkI’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.
Amir M.
Data Platform Tech Lead
QuotationMarkI'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.
Mark W.
Embedded Software Engineer

You might also like

Probability, Random Variables, Statistics, and Random Processes

Probability, Random Variables, Statistics, and Random Processes

Ali Grami

Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781118393956Purchase book