Exploring the CDF and MGF Relationship for Random Variables

In summary: If X < 0 and x > 0, then the MGF of X is negative and vice versa. Not in your original statement. If X < 0 and x > 0, then the MGF of X is negative and vice versa.
  • #1
EngWiPy
1,368
61
Hello,

Suppose that the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of a random variable X is [tex]F_X(x)[/tex], which is by definition is:

[tex]F_X(x)=\text{Pr}\left[X\leq x\right]=\text{Pr}\left[\frac{1}{X}\geq \frac{1}{x}\right]=1-\text{Pr}\left[\frac{1}{X}\leq \frac{1}{x}\right]=1-F_{1/X}\left(1/x\right)[/tex]

Considering this relation between the CDF of X and the CDF of its reciprocal, what is the relation between the Moment Generating Function (MGF) of X and its reciprocal?

Any help will be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
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  • #2
A good starting point would be to think of a relation between the CDF of X and the MGF of X, wouldn't it?
 
  • #3
Pere Callahan said:
A good starting point would be to think of a relation between the CDF of X and the MGF of X, wouldn't it?

Yes right, and I know what is the relation between them, but I want to see if another one has another idea. Anyway, the relation is:

[tex]M_X(s)=s\mathcal{L}\left\{F_X(x)\right\}[/tex]

I have tried this, and it yields no where.

Regards
 
  • #4
What would the CDF and MGF look like if X is uniform on [0,1] ?
 
  • #5
bpet said:
What would the CDF and MGF look like if X is uniform on [0,1] ?

The CDF of a uniformly distributed random variable X is:

[tex]F_X(x)=\begin{cases}0&x<0\\\frac{x-a}{b-a}&a\leq x<b\\1&x\ge b\end{cases}[/tex]

Here, it may easier to derive the MGF from the PDF, not from the CDF. The PDF of X will be:

[tex]f_X(x)=\begin{cases}\frac{1}{b-a}&a\leq x\leq b\\0&\mbox{elsewhere}\end{cases}[/tex]

Then the MGF of X is:

[tex]\mathcal{M}_X(s)=E_X\left[\text{e}^{sx}\right]=\int_a^b\text{e}^{sx}f_X(x)\,dx=\frac{\text{e}^{bs}-\text{e}^{as}}{s\left(b-a\right)}[/tex]

But, what is the relation of this to the primary question?

Anyway, I have found the following relations between the MGF of X and the MGF of its reciprocal:

[tex]
\mathcal{M}_X(s)=\int_s^{\infty}\int_0^{\infty}J_0\left(2\,\sqrt{u\,p}\right)\mathcal{M}_{1/X}(s)\,du\,dp\\
[/tex]
[tex]\mathcal{M}_{1/X}(s)=1-\sqrt{s}\int_0^{\pi/2}\frac{\sec^2 (\zeta)}{\sqrt{\tan (\zeta)}}J_1\left(2\,\sqrt{s\tan (\zeta)}\right)\mathcal{M}_X\left(\tan (\zeta)\right)\,d\zeta
[/tex]

where [tex]J_v(.)[/tex] is the vth order bessel function of the first kind. I do not know how they got there. Does anybody know how to derive these relations?

Thanks in advance
 
  • #6
S_David said:
Hello,

Suppose that the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of a random variable X is [tex]F_X(x)[/tex], which is by definition is:

[tex]F_X(x)=\text{Pr}\left[X\leq x\right]=\text{Pr}\left[\frac{1}{X}\geq \frac{1}{x}\right]=1-\text{Pr}\left[\frac{1}{X}\leq \frac{1}{x}\right]=1-F_{1/X}\left(1/x\right)[/tex]

Considering this relation between the CDF of X and the CDF of its reciprocal, what is the relation between the Moment Generating Function (MGF) of X and its reciprocal?

Any help will be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

If X < 0 and x > 0, your statement about reciprocals doesn't hold.
 
  • #7
mathman said:
If X < 0 and x > 0, your statement about reciprocals doesn't hold.

Yes , I forgot to mention that [tex]0\leq X, x<\infty[/tex]. Then, is there any problem?

Regards
 
  • #8
S_David said:
Yes , I forgot to mention that [tex]0\leq X, x<\infty[/tex]. Then, is there any problem?

Regards
Not in your original statement.
 

1. What is the relationship between CDF and MGF?

The Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) and Moment Generating Function (MGF) are two different ways of describing a probability distribution. The CDF gives the probability that a random variable takes on a value less than or equal to a given value, while the MGF gives the expected value of a function of the random variable. The two are closely related, as the MGF can be used to derive the CDF and vice versa.

2. How are CDF and MGF used in statistics?

CDF and MGF are both used in statistics to describe and analyze the behavior of random variables. The CDF is often used to calculate probabilities and determine the likelihood of certain outcomes, while the MGF is used to find moments of the probability distribution, such as the mean and variance.

3. Can CDF and MGF be used interchangeably?

No, CDF and MGF cannot be used interchangeably. While they are both ways of describing a probability distribution, they serve different purposes and provide different information. CDF gives the probability of a random variable taking on a certain value, while MGF gives the expected value of a function of the random variable.

4. How can the CDF and MGF be related mathematically?

The CDF and MGF are related through the moment generating function's definition. The MGF of a random variable X is the expected value of e^(tx), where t is a real number. By taking the derivative of the MGF with respect to t, the CDF can be derived. Similarly, the MGF can be obtained by integrating the CDF. This relationship is known as the CDF-MGF relation.

5. In what situations is it useful to use the CDF-MGF relation?

The CDF-MGF relation is particularly useful when dealing with complex probability distributions that are difficult to analyze using traditional methods. By using the properties of the MGF, the CDF can be derived and used to calculate probabilities and moments of the distribution. This makes it a powerful tool for analyzing and understanding the behavior of random variables.

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