In statistics, random variables are said to be i.i.d. – independently and identically distributed – if the following two conditions are met:
(1) Independent – The outcome of one event does not affect the outcome of another.
(2) Identically Distributed – The probability distribution of each event is identical.
The following scenarios illustrate examples of i.i.d. random variables in practice.
Example 1: Tossing a Coin
Suppose we toss a coin 10 times and keep track of the number of times the coin lands on heads.
This is an example of a random variable that is independently and identically distributed because the following two conditions are met:
(1) Independent – The outcome of one coin toss does not affect the outcome of another coin toss. Each toss is independent.
(2) Identically Distributed – The probability that a coin lands on heads on any given toss is 0.5. This probability does not change from one toss to the next.
Example 2: Rolling a Dice
Suppose we roll a dice 50 times and keep track of the number of times the dice lands on the number 4.
This is an example of a random variable that is independently and identically distributed because the following two conditions are met:
(1) Independent – The outcome of one dice roll does not affect the outcome of another dice roll. Each roll is independent.
(2) Identically Distributed – The probability that a dice lands on “4” on any given roll is 1/6. This probability does not change from one roll to the next.
Example 3: Spinning a Spinner
Suppose we spin a spinner 100 times that is equally split into four colors (red, blue, green, and purple) and keep track of the number of times that it lands on purple.
This is an example of a random variable that is independently and identically distributed because the following two conditions are met:
(1) Independent – The outcome of one spin does not affect the outcome of another spin. Each spin is independent.
(2) Identically Distributed – The probability that the spinner lands on purple on any given spin is 0.25. This probability does not change from one spin to the next.
Example 4: Choosing a Card
A standard deck of cards contains 52 cards, 4 of which are Queens. Suppose we randomly draw a card from a standard deck, then place the card back in the deck. Suppose we repeat this 100 times and keep track of the number of times we draw a Queen.
This is an example of a random variable that is independently and identically distributed because the following two conditions are met:
(1) Independent – The outcome of one draw does not affect the outcome of another draw. Each draw is independent.
(2) Identically Distributed – The probability that we choose a Queen on any given draw is 4/52. This probability does not change from one draw to the next.
Additional Resources
An Introduction to Random Variables
What is the Assumption of Independence in Statistics?