# Domain probability problem

1. Feb 22, 2008

### tronter

If $$f(x,y) = e^{-x-2y}$$ find $$P(X<Y)$$.

So is this equaled to $$1 - P(X>Y) = 1 - \int\limits_{0}^{\infty} \int\limits_{0}^{x} e^{-x-2y} \ dy \ dx = \frac{1}{3}?$$

2. Feb 22, 2008

### EnumaElish

What is the domain? $\int_0^\infty\int_0^\infty f(x,y)dydx$=1/2, not 1.

3. Feb 22, 2008

### tronter

the domain is $$0 < x < \infty$$, $$0 < y < \infty$$. It is equaled to $$1$$, so its a valid pdf.

4. Feb 22, 2008

### EnumaElish

On that domain the probability doesn't add up to 1.

5. Feb 22, 2008

### tronter

whoops, I meant $$-\infty < x < \infty$$, $$-\infty < y< \infty$$.

6. Feb 22, 2008

### EnumaElish

It looks like the lower bound should be -Log[2]/3.

For a "suitable" lower bound that equates the double integral to 1, your formula is correct.

Alternatively, since integration over [0, +infinity) gives 1/2, you might define the cumulative distribution F*(x,y) = F(x,y) + 1/2, where F(x,y) is the double integral of f(s,t) over s from 0 to x and t from 0 to y. In this case f is a valid pdf.

Last edited: Feb 22, 2008
7. Feb 22, 2008

### tronter

forgetting about the bounds for the moment, is the general set up correct?

8. Feb 22, 2008

### EnumaElish

See my previous post (edited).