Chapter 4: Problem 3
A Bernoulli random variable is one that assumes only two values, 0 and 1 with \(p(1)=p\) and \(p(0)=1-p \equiv q\). a. Sketch the corresponding distribution function. b. Show that this distribution function has the properties given in Theorem 4.1.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The Bernoulli distribution function is a step function that is non-decreasing, right-continuous, and fulfills the limit properties.
Step by step solution
01
Identify Bernoulli Random Variable
A Bernoulli random variable is a discrete random variable that can take two possible outcomes: 0 and 1. By definition, the probability of getting a 1 is \( p \), and the probability of getting a 0 is \( q = 1 - p \).
02
Sketch the Distribution Function
The distribution function of a Bernoulli random variable is a step function. It starts at 0 for values less than 0, jumps to \( 1-p \) at 0, and then jumps up to 1 at 1. For \( x < 0 \), \( F(x) = 0 \). For \( 0 \leq x < 1 \), \( F(x) = 1-p \). For \( x \geq 1 \), \( F(x) = 1 \). This is depicted as a flat segment at \( 1-p \) between 0 and just before 1 and then jumps to 1 at 1.
03
Verify Property of Non-Decreasing
The distribution function \( F(x) \) is non-decreasing, meaning it never decreases as \( x \) increases. In this case, \( F(x) \) starts at 0, jumps to \( 1-p \) at 0, and then jumps to 1 at 1, consistently increasing without dropping.
04
Verify Right-Continuity
A function is right-continuous if for every point \( x_0 \), the limit as \( x \to x_0^+ \) is equal to \( F(x_0) \). For the Bernoulli distribution function, at any point, we can see that \( F(x) \) is right-continuous because the value is constant from the right at each jump point.
05
Limits as x Approaches Infinity and Negative Infinity
Theorem 4.1 states that \( \lim_{x \to -\infty} F(x) = 0 \) and \( \lim_{x \to \infty} F(x) = 1 \). For the Bernoulli distribution, as \( x \to -\infty \), \( F(x) \) stays at 0. As \( x \to \infty \), \( F(x) \) has already reached 1 after \( x = 1 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Distribution Function
A distribution function, often denoted as \( F(x) \), is a function that provides the probability that a random variable \( X \) is less than or equal to a particular value \( x \), which can be expressed as \( F(x) = P(X \leq x) \). In the context of a Bernoulli random variable, which only takes values of 0 or 1, the distribution function has a unique, step-like appearance. Here's what that means for the Bernoulli case:
- For \( x < 0 \), no values of the random variable are possible, hence \( F(x) = 0 \).
- For \( 0 \leq x < 1 \), the function jumps to \( 1-p \), representing the probability of the random variable being 0.
- At \( x = 1 \), the function jumps again to 1, because the total probability reaches 1 as the random variable can either be 0 or 1.
Right-Continuity
Right-continuity is a mathematical property of a function that ensures the value of the function approaches the same value from the right as it does at a point. For instance, if you are observing a function at a point \( x_0 \), right-continuity guarantees that as \( x \to x_0^+ \) (approaching from values greater than \( x_0 \)), the function's value \( F(x) \) is steady at \( F(x_0) \).
In the case of the Bernoulli distribution function, which has abrupt jumps at \( 0 \) and \( 1 \), right-continuity plays a key role. Here's why:
In the case of the Bernoulli distribution function, which has abrupt jumps at \( 0 \) and \( 1 \), right-continuity plays a key role. Here's why:
- At every point before a jump, the value of the function remains constant and approaches the same level right up to the jump.
- This ensures no sudden or undesirable change in value from the right, which means the distribution function can be validated through its right-continuity property across its range.
Discrete Random Variable
A Bernoulli random variable is a specific type of discrete random variable. Discrete random variables are those that have countable outcomes, often integers, as opposed to continuous random variables that can take any value in a range. With Bernoulli random variables, the outcomes are particularly simplified, with only two possible values being 0 and 1.
Some distinguishing features of discrete random variables include:
Some distinguishing features of discrete random variables include:
- The probability distribution for a discrete random variable is represented by a list or a table that assigns probabilities to each possible outcome.
- Each of these probabilities must sum up to 1, ensuring a complete possibility spread.
- The probability of obtaining any specific outcome is well-defined and exact, such as \( P(1) = p \) and \( P(0) = 1-p \) for Bernoulli variables.