Chapter 2: Problem 57
\(X \sim N\left(\mu, \sigma^{2}\right)\) and \(Y=a X+b,\) where \(a<0,\) show that \(Y \sim N\left(a \mu+b, a^{2} \sigma^{2}\right).\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Y follows a normal distribution: \(Y \sim N(a\mu + b, a^2\sigma^2)\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Transformation
We are given the random variable \(X\) which follows a normal distribution with mean \(\mu\) and variance \(\sigma^2\), i.e., \(X \sim N(\mu, \sigma^2)\). The transformed variable \(Y\) is defined as \(Y = aX + b\), where \(a < 0\). Our goal is to find out if \(Y\) also follows a normal distribution and to identify its parameters.
02
Identify the Mean of Y
For a linear transformation \(Y = aX + b\), the expected value (mean) of \(Y\) can be found using the formula for the mean of a linear transformation: \(E(Y) = aE(X) + b\). Therefore, the mean of \(Y\) is obtained as follows:\[E(Y) = a\mu + b\]
03
Determine the Variance of Y
The variance of a linear transformation \(Y = aX + b\) is given by the formula \(\text{Var}(Y) = a^2 \text{Var}(X)\). Since \(X\) has variance \(\sigma^2\), the variance of \(Y\) is:\[\text{Var}(Y) = a^2\sigma^2\]
04
Conclude the Distribution of Y
In a linear transformation of a normally distributed variable, the result is also normally distributed. Thus, \(Y\) is normally distributed with parameters derived in previous steps: mean \(a\mu + b\) and variance \(a^2\sigma^2\). Therefore, the distribution of \(Y\) is:\[Y \sim N(a\mu + b, a^2\sigma^2)\]
05
Conclusion and Verification
The transformation preserves the normality due to its linear nature. Even though \(a < 0\), this does not affect the normality but merely changes the sign of the slope, confirming that the derived parameters are correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Linear Transformation
A linear transformation occurs when a random variable undergoes a specific kind of modification. In the context of normal distribution, it involves conversion using a formula of the form: \(Y = aX + b\). The variables \(a\) and \(b\) are constants, and in this exercise, \(a < 0\). This signifies a type of scaling and shifting of the distribution.
- Scaling alters the spread of the data. A negative \(a\) flips the distribution around, reversing its direction.
- Shifting, through \(b\), simply moves the entire distribution along the axis, either up or down.
Mean and Variance
Mean and variance are fundamental to understanding the shape and spread of a distribution. For any random variable \(X\), they help us know where the data is centered and how widely it is dispersed.
- The mean \(\mu\) represents the average or central tendency of the data. For a transformed variable \(Y = aX + b\), its mean is \(E(Y) = a\mu + b\). This formula shows how the changes in \(a\) and \(b\) affect the new mean.
- Variance, denoted by \(\sigma^2\), tells us how much the values are spread out. For \(Y\), its variance is \(\text{Var}(Y) = a^2\sigma^2\). The squaring of \(a\) ensures the variance is always positive, maintaining the properties of the normal distribution.
Random Variable
A random variable is a concept that involves the assignment of numeric values to each outcome in a probabilistic experiment. In this exercise, the random variable \(X\) follows a normal distribution with a particular mean and variance.
- This distribution is described famously by the bell curve, where the shape is symmetrical around the mean.
- The property \(X \sim N(\mu, \sigma^2)\) illustrates this distribution, characterized by its mean and variance.
- Transformations do not disrupt the underlying structure of the normal distribution.
- Linear transformations map quantiles from one distribution to another seamlessly, maintaining normality.