Bivariate discrete random variable

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the correlation coefficient between a bivariate discrete random variable X (the number of heads from coin flips) and N (the number of coin flips), where N follows a Poisson distribution with an expected value of E(N)=1. The coin has a probability of 1/3 for heads and 2/3 for tails. The independence of the two variables allows for the use of joint distributions to derive the covariance and variances necessary for calculating the correlation coefficient. Key formulas include the expected values and variances derived from the joint distribution of X and N.

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Yankel
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Hello

I am trying to solve this problem:

A coin is given with probability 1/3 for head (H) and 2/3 for tail (T).
The coin is being drawn N times, where N is a Poisson random variable with E(N)=1. The drawing of the coin and N are independent. Let X be the number of heads (H) in the N draws. What is the correlation coefficient of X and N ?

So I started this by creating a table as if it was a finite problem, just to see how it behaves, but it didn't lead me too far. Since there is independence, every event P(X=x , N=n) is equal to P(X=x|N=n)*P(N=n). So this is like a tree diagram sample space. In order to find the correlation, I need the covariance and the variances. The variance of N, it's easy, 1. How do I find the rest of the stuff ?

Thanks !
 
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Yankel said:
Hello

I am trying to solve this problem:

A coin is given with probability 1/3 for head (H) and 2/3 for tail (T).
The coin is being drawn N times, where N is a Poisson random variable with E(N)=1. The drawing of the coin and N are independent. Let X be the number of heads (H) in the N draws. What is the correlation coefficient of X and N ?

So I started this by creating a table as if it was a finite problem, just to see how it behaves, but it didn't lead me too far. Since there is independence, every event P(X=x , N=n) is equal to P(X=x|N=n)*P(N=n). So this is like a tree diagram sample space. In order to find the correlation, I need the covariance and the variances. The variance of N, it's easy, 1. How do I find the rest of the stuff ?

Thanks !

You have \(\bar{N}\), \(\sigma_N\) and the joint distribution, so:

$$ \bar{X} = \sum_{n=0..\infty, x=0,..n} x f_{X,N}(x,n)=\sum_{n=0..\infty} \frac{n}{3}f_N(n)=\frac{1}{3}\bar{N}$$

[math]\sigma^2_X= \sum_{n=0..\infty, x=0,..n} (x-\bar{X})^2 f_{X,N}(x,n)=\sum_{n=0..\infty}\frac{2n}{3}f_N(n)=\frac{2}{3}\bar{N}[/math]

$${\rm{Cov}}(X,N)= \sum_{n=0..\infty, x=0,..n} (x-\bar{X})(n-\bar{N}) f_{X,N}(x,n)=\sum_{n=0..\infty}\frac{(n-\bar{N})^2}{3}f_N(n)=\frac{\sigma^2_N}{3}$$

so:

$$\rho_{X,N}=\frac{{\rm{Cov}}(X,N)}{\sigma_X \sigma_N}=\ ...$$

The key idea here is that for the double summation you can always choose to do that over \(x\) first.

.
 
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