# Deriving the MGF for the Weibull Distribution

1. ### donald17

6
I'm attempting to derive the MGF for the Weibull distribution. I know that E($$e^{tx}$$), which equals the integral shown here:

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Integrate%5Be^%28t*x%29*%28k%2F%CE%BB%29*%28x%2F%CE%BB%29^%28k-1%29*e^-%28x%2F%CE%BB%29^k%2Cx%5D

where the parameters are k and λ.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Sum%5B%28t^n+%CE%BB^n%29%2Fn%21%2C+{n%2C+0%2C+Infinity}%5D*gamma%281%2B%281%2Fk%29%29

So I see that I need to get the gamma function and the series representation for e^(t*λ) to show up in order to get the right answer. I've been trying to use a change of variable such as u = (x/λ)^k, and I feel like I've been getting close, but can't exactly get it right. Can someone guide me along with this? Thank you.

*For some reason it keeps putting a space in the URL, so just take them out

2. ### Stephen Tashi

4,338
Those links you gave might be temporary URLs. I didn't get the first one to work.

3. ### donald17

6
In the first url try copy and pasting the whole thing, but taking out the space between the 2 and the F

Similarly, for the second url take out the space between the I and the nfinity. If this doesn't work let me know and I'll attempt to repost what I'm trying to show in another format.