Covariance Proof for X,Y: aX + b, Y+d & aX+bY, cX+dY

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter TomJerry
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Covariance Proof
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving covariance properties for random variables X and Y. It establishes that Cov(aX + b, Y + d) equals ac Cov(X, Y) and derives the formula for Cov(aX + bY, cX + dY) as ac σ_x² + bd σ_y² + (ad + bc) Cov(X, Y). The proof utilizes the definition of covariance and properties of expectations to expand and simplify the expressions, demonstrating the relationships between the variables and their coefficients.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of covariance and its mathematical definition
  • Familiarity with random variables and their properties
  • Knowledge of expectations in probability theory
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills for simplifying expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of covariance in detail, including linear combinations of random variables
  • Learn about the implications of covariance in statistics and data analysis
  • Explore the concept of variance and its relationship with covariance
  • Investigate advanced topics in probability theory, such as joint distributions and conditional expectations
USEFUL FOR

Statisticians, data analysts, and students of probability theory who are looking to deepen their understanding of covariance and its applications in statistical modeling.

TomJerry
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
If X and Y are two random variable , then the covariance between them is defined as Cov(X,Y) = E[XY] - E(X)E(Y)


i) Show that Cov (aX + b , (Y + d)) = ac Cov(X,Y)

ii) Cov(aX + bY, cX + dY) = ac \sigma_x ^2 + bd \sigma_y ^2 +(ad + bc) Cov(X,Y)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Use properties of expectations to expand the portions. For example, for your ``i'':

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> cov(aX+b, cY+d) &amp; = E[(aX+b)(cY+d)] - E[(aX+b)]E[(cY+d)] \\<br /> &amp; = E[acXY + adX + bcY + bd] - (a\mu_X+b)(b\mu_Y+d)<br /> \end{align*}<br />

Continue on from there - you know what the answer should look like when you have combined all terms and simplified. A similar approach works for ``ii''.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K