Analytic determination of Expectation, variance

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the determination of the expectation and variance of a linear transformation of a normally distributed variable. Participants explore the implications of applying a normal distribution to a linear function and the properties of variance in multi-dimensional settings, including the sum of normally distributed variables.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to prove the distribution of a linear function y = a*x + b when x is normally distributed, asking for the mean and variance of y.
  • Another participant states that the expectation E(y) can be calculated as E(y) = aE(x) + b, and the variance V(y) as V(y) = a²V(x).
  • A different participant questions the notation used for variance, suggesting that the left side term should be σ² with a subscript for clarity.
  • One participant mentions a mistake in their earlier statement and clarifies their intention to apply random variables to a function f(X,Y,Z) and sum the variances, leading to a total variance expressed as σ²_total = Σσ²_i.
  • Another participant introduces moment generating functions (MGFs) as a method to prove that the sum of two normal distributions is also normally distributed, suggesting this approach for various types of distributions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the notation and definitions related to variance and standard deviation. There is no consensus on the interpretation of variance in multi-dimensional contexts, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to proving the properties of distributions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and notation used in the discussion, particularly regarding variance and standard deviation. There are also unresolved mathematical steps related to the application of random variables and their variances.

Eren10
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Hi,

I want to proof what the distribution will be when I apply a normal distributed x to a linear function y = a*x + b. What will be the mean and the variance of y ?

The expectations can be calculated than with this formula ( probably with this formula what i want can be proofed with substitution):

E_x [y] = integral ( y(x)*rho_x(x)dx) , x is the randomly event , normal distributed, y = a*x+b.

After this I want to proof that for n - dimensional parameter the variance \sigma = \sum\sigma^2

for example I want also proof that the sum of normal distributed parameters X and Y is also normal distributed.

can someone at least advice which book I need to see how this kind of things are proofed.
 
Last edited:
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These are elementary probability calculations. E(y)=aE(x)+b, V(y)=a2V(x)

x+y=(a+1)*x + b, so the above can be used with a+1 replacing a.
 
Eren10 said:
Hi,


After this I want to proof that for n - dimensional parameter the variance \sigma = \sum\sigma^2

Can you tell me what these means? A standard deviation is not defined this way. Did you mean \sigma^{2} for the left side term? If so it needs a subscript to distinguish it from the right side.
 
mathman said:
These are elementary probability calculations. E(y)=aE(x)+b, V(y)=a2V(x)

x+y=(a+1)*x + b, so the above can be used with a+1 replacing a.

Thank you for your reply. I am reading now google book about elementary probability. For simple cases I have to show how they came to that relation and this will help me to understand the idea behind it better.

SW VandeCarr said:
Can you tell me what these means? A standard deviation is not defined this way. Did you mean \sigma^{2} for the left side term? If so it needs a subscript to distinguish it from the right side.
Thank you for your reply. I made there a mistake. assume a function f(X,Y,X) , X,Y,Z are randomly variables normal distribution. What I will do is: apply the random variables to f separately and then find the variance of f , thus for each variable. and hereafter the variances will be summed. the total variance is:

\sigma^{2}_{total} = \Sigma\sigma^{2}_{i} I want to show this by applying the basic principles and than I will apply it at an experiment.
 
Last edited:
Eren10 said:
Hi,

I want to proof what the distribution will be when I apply a normal distributed x to a linear function y = a*x + b. What will be the mean and the variance of y ?

The expectations can be calculated than with this formula ( probably with this formula what i want can be proofed with substitution):

E_x [y] = integral ( y(x)*rho_x(x)dx) , x is the randomly event , normal distributed, y = a*x+b.

After this I want to proof that for n - dimensional parameter the variance \sigma = \sum\sigma^2

for example I want also proof that the sum of normal distributed parameters X and Y is also normal distributed.

can someone at least advice which book I need to see how this kind of things are proofed.

I don't know if this is what you want but with moment generating functions you can prove that the sum of two normal distributions is another normal distribution. In fact you can use MGF's to show what a lot of different types of added distributions are (like say Poisson + Poisson or Gamma + Gamma etc).
 

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