How to come up with a probability distribution knowing the mean value?

Is the mean of probability distribution is called its expected value?

  • Answer:

    No. The mean is the expected value of the random variable but you can also have expected values of functions of the random variable. If you define X as the random variable representing the result of a single throw of a fair die, the expected value of X is 3.5, the mean of the probability distribution of X. However, you play a game where you pay someone a certain amount of money for each throw of the die and the other person pays you your "winnings" which depend on the outcome of the throw. The variable, "your winnings", will also have an expected value. As will your opponent's winnings.

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