Find Density of z in Change of Variable Homework

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the density of the random variable z defined as z = xy², where x and y are independent and identically distributed uniform random variables on the interval (0,1). Participants are exploring the cumulative distribution function P(z ≤ w) and its dependence on the variables involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive the cumulative distribution function for z and are questioning the validity of their expressions, particularly regarding the integration limits and the dependence on x. Some participants express confusion about the necessity for the result to be a function of w only.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the problem, with some participants providing insights into the structure of the integrals involved. The discussion is productive, with participants questioning assumptions and clarifying the conditions under which the integrals are evaluated, but no consensus or final solution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that y cannot take negative values, which affects the setup of the problem. There is also a recognition that the expression for P(z ≤ w) needs to be simplified to eliminate dependence on x, leading to further investigation into the integration process.

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Homework Statement



Let x,y be iid and x, y \sim U(0,1) (uniform on the open set (0,1)) and let z = xy^2.
Find the density of z.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



P(z \leq w) = P(xy^2 \leq w) = P(- \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}} \leq y \leq \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}) = \int^{ \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}}_{ -\sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}} dy = 2 \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}<br />

Is this right. Seems like I am missing something, not sure.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
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autobot.d said:

Homework Statement



Let x,y be iid and x, y \sim U(0,1) (uniform on the open set (0,1)) and let z = xy^2.
Find the density of z.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



P(z \leq w) = P(xy^2 \leq w) = P(- \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}} \leq y \leq \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}) = \int^{ \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}}_{ -\sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}} dy = 2 \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}<br />

Is this right. Seems like I am missing something, not sure.

Thanks.

No. Y cannot be < 0, so you cannot have the region ## - \sqrt{w/x} \leq y < 0##. Anyway, you need an answer that contains w only, so you still need to get rid of the 'x'.
 
autobot.d said:

Homework Statement



Let x,y be iid and x, y \sim U(0,1) (uniform on the open set (0,1)) and let z = xy^2.
Find the density of z.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



P(z \leq w) = P(xy^2 \leq w) = P(- \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}} \leq y \leq \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}) = \int^{ \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}}_{ -\sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}} dy = 2 \sqrt{\frac{w}{x}}<br />

Is this right. Seems like I am missing something, not sure.

Thanks.

P(z \leq w) should be a function of w only, so something's wrong.

Fix x. Then P(y^2 \leq w/x) = P(0 \leq y \leq \sqrt{w/x}) = \min(1,\sqrt{w/x}) since 0 \leq y \leq 1. Then
<br /> P(z \leq w) = P(xy^2 \leq w) = \int_0^1 \min\left(1,\sqrt{\frac wx}\right)\,\mathrm{d}x<br /> = \int_0^w 1\,\mathrm{d}x + \int_w^1 \sqrt{\frac wx}\,\mathrm{d}x<br />
 
Makes sense it should be a function of w only. I do not understand though how the integral with the minimum is broken up into the two integrals at the end. Any insight?

Thanks for the help.
 
autobot.d said:
Makes sense it should be a function of w only. I do not understand though how the integral with the minimum is broken up into the two integrals at the end. Any insight?

Thanks for the help.

Look at the two cases x > w and x < w.
 
The first integral ranges from ##x=0## to ##x=w##, so the minimum is equal to 1. In the second integral, you have ##x\geq w##, and so the minimum is the square-root expression.
 

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