Random Variables

A random variable is a function that can take on values corresponding to a sample point in a sample space. As each sample point is associated with a probability value, random variables assumes its values with a certain probability that depends on the sample point on which the value is based. A random variable that is defined over a discrete sample space has a finite or countable number of possible values and is called a discrete random variable. A random variable that is defined over a continuous sample space has an infinite set of possible values and is called a continuous random variable.