Random Variables
Explore the concept of random variables as used in probability theory, distinguishing between discrete and continuous types. Understand how indicator random variables simplify counting occurrences in random processes, helping you apply these ideas to algorithm analysis in coding interviews.
We'll cover the following...
What are Random Variables?
In probability theory, we use random variables to represent the outcomes of random processes. Don't confuse them with variables you define in your code or the variables you read about in algebra class. These variables are traditionally denoted by upper case letters. We call them random because they represent the outcomes of random processes such as flipping a coin, throwing dice or the possibility of rain on a given day. As an example, we define two random variables below:
...