Chapter 2: Problem 53
If \(X\) is uniform over \((0,1)\), calculate \(E\left[X^{n}\right]\) and \(\operatorname{Var}\left(X^{n}\right)\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expected value of \(X^n\) is \(E(X^n) = \frac{1}{n+1}\), and the variance of \(X^n\) is \(\operatorname{Var}(X^n) = \frac{1}{2n+1} - \frac{1}{(n+1)^2}\).
Step by step solution
01
Calculate the Expected Value
To calculate the expected value \(E(X^n)\), we need to integrate the product of \(x^n\) and the probability density function \(f_X(x)\) over the support of the random variable \(X\) i.e., from \(0\) to \(1\). Using the definition of expectation for a continuous random variable, we have:
\[E(X^n) = \int_0^1 x^n f_X(x) dx\]
Since \(f_X(x) = 1\) for \(0 \le x \le 1\), the integral becomes:
\[E(X^n) = \int_0^1 x^n dx\]
02
Solve the Integral
Now, let's solve the integral:
\[\int_0^1 x^n dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} \Big|_0^1 = \frac{1^{n+1}}{n+1} - \frac{0^{n+1}}{n+1}\]
\[E(X^n) = \frac{1}{n+1}\]
So, the expected value \(E(X^n) = \frac{1}{n+1}\).
03
Calculate the Second Moment
To calculate the variance, we also need the second moment of the random variable, that is \(E\left[(X^n)^2\right] = E(X^{2n})\). Following the same steps as before:
\[E(X^{2n}) = \int_0^1 x^{2n} f_X(x) dx\]
\[E(X^{2n}) = \int_0^1 x^{2n} dx = \frac{x^{2n+1}}{2n+1} \Big|_0^1 = \frac{1}{2n+1}\]
So, the second moment of \(X^n\) is \(E(X^{2n}) = \frac{1}{2n+1}\).
04
Calculate the Variance
Using the formula for variance of a continuous random variable, we have:
\[\operatorname{Var}(X^n) = E\left[(X^n)^2\right] - \left[E(X^n)\right]^2\]
Plugging the values of \(E(X^n)\) and \(E(X^{2n})\):
\[\operatorname{Var}(X^n) = \frac{1}{2n+1} - \left(\frac{1}{n+1}\right)^2\]
So, the variance of \(X^n\) is \(\operatorname{Var}(X^n) = \frac{1}{2n+1} - \frac{1}{(n+1)^2}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Uniform Distribution
A uniform distribution is one where all outcomes in a given interval are equally likely. In the case of a continuous uniform distribution between 0 and 1, every value from 0 to 1 has the same chance of occurring. This is expressed with a constant probability density function.
For a random variable, say \(X\), that is uniformly distributed over \((0, 1)\), the probability density function \(f_X(x)\) is 1. This is because the total probability within the interval must sum to 1. Let’s break it down:
For a random variable, say \(X\), that is uniformly distributed over \((0, 1)\), the probability density function \(f_X(x)\) is 1. This is because the total probability within the interval must sum to 1. Let’s break it down:
- The total area under the probability density function curve from 0 to 1 is 1.
- Every point within this range contributes equally to this area.
Expected Value
The expected value is a crucial concept in probability as it provides the average or mean of a random variable. It is the value you would "expect" to get, on average, if you repeated an experiment many times.
For a continuous random variable \(X\), the expected value \(E(X^n)\) can be calculated using integrals. Specifically, if \(X\) is uniformly distributed on \((0, 1)\), the formula becomes: \[E(X^n) = \int_0^1 x^n dx\] By solving this, we find: \[E(X^n) = \frac{1}{n+1}\]
This formula shows how the expected value changes with different powers \(n\) of the random variable \(X\). It’s a handy tool for predicting average outcomes over time.
For a continuous random variable \(X\), the expected value \(E(X^n)\) can be calculated using integrals. Specifically, if \(X\) is uniformly distributed on \((0, 1)\), the formula becomes: \[E(X^n) = \int_0^1 x^n dx\] By solving this, we find: \[E(X^n) = \frac{1}{n+1}\]
This formula shows how the expected value changes with different powers \(n\) of the random variable \(X\). It’s a handy tool for predicting average outcomes over time.
Variance
Variance measures how much the values of a random variable differ from the expected value. It tells us the degree of spread in the values.
For calculating the variance of \(X^n\) where \(X\) is uniform on \((0,1)\), we first find the second moment, \(E(X^{2n})\):\[E(X^{2n}) = \int_0^1 x^{2n} dx = \frac{1}{2n+1}\]
This helps us determine the variance: \[\operatorname{Var}(X^n) = E(X^{2n}) - \left(E(X^n)\right)^2\]Substituting the known values:\[\operatorname{Var}(X^n) = \frac{1}{2n+1} - \frac{1}{(n+1)^2}\]
This calculation shows us how dispersed the values \(X^n\) are around the mean, and it varies depending on the power \(n\).
For calculating the variance of \(X^n\) where \(X\) is uniform on \((0,1)\), we first find the second moment, \(E(X^{2n})\):\[E(X^{2n}) = \int_0^1 x^{2n} dx = \frac{1}{2n+1}\]
This helps us determine the variance: \[\operatorname{Var}(X^n) = E(X^{2n}) - \left(E(X^n)\right)^2\]Substituting the known values:\[\operatorname{Var}(X^n) = \frac{1}{2n+1} - \frac{1}{(n+1)^2}\]
This calculation shows us how dispersed the values \(X^n\) are around the mean, and it varies depending on the power \(n\).
Continuous Random Variables
Continuous random variables can take any value within a given range, and are described by probability density functions. Unlike discrete random variables, which take on distinct values, continuous variables fill a continuum of possible outcomes.
In the case of a uniform distribution between 0 and 1, the variable can be any real number between these bounds. So:
In the case of a uniform distribution between 0 and 1, the variable can be any real number between these bounds. So:
- Every possible number in range is technically an outcome.
- Calculating probabilities involves finding the area under the curve of their probability density function.