Find Help w/ Taylor Series: (y+dy)^0.5

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Taylor series to the expression (y+dy)^0.5, particularly in the context of deriving the probability density function (PDF) of a random variable X defined as Y=X^2. Participants explore the mathematical steps involved in expanding the square root term using Taylor series and its implications for understanding the relationship between the PDFs of X and Y.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help with expanding (y+dy)^0.5 using Taylor series.
  • Another participant suggests that y is a constant and dy is a variable, proposing to expand around dy=0.
  • A participant describes their context involving a random variable Y=X^2 and expresses the need to show the PDF of X by developing the square root term into a Taylor series.
  • There is a mention of the importance of considering that X can be negative when relating the PDFs of X and Y.
  • One participant expresses confusion about a specific step in the derivation process, indicating a need for clarification on the transition between two lines in their work.
  • Another participant reiterates the confusion about the same step and introduces the concept of approximating probabilities using differentials, applying it to the context of the square root of y.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to use Taylor series for the expansion and the relationship between the PDFs of X and Y. However, there is no consensus on the specific mathematical steps or the treatment of negative values for X, and confusion remains about certain derivations.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding specific mathematical steps in the derivation process and the implications of considering negative values for the random variable X. There are also references to external resources that may contain additional context or steps not fully elaborated in the discussion.

chenrim
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help with the following taylor series:

(y+dy)^0.5

Thanks
 
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I'm guessing that y is a constant and dy is your variable? and you are trying to expand around dy=0 ? well, you should try to use the definition of the Taylor series, and see what you get :)
 
The thing is that i have an r.v (random variable) of the form Y=X^2

and by definition : fy(y)dy= P{y<Y<=y+dy}
i can substitute Y with (X)^2 and then i take the square root from both sides and get :
P{ sqrt(y)<X<= sqrt(y+dy) }}

now i want to show the PDF of X by the definition so i want to develop the right side of the inquality into a taylor series.
sqrt(y+dy) This is the term i want to develop into a taylor series . y and dy both are numbers. i tried to use Taylor's formula but couldn't get it right,

Hope you understand my question

thanks
 
yes, I think I understand. you want to show how the pdf of X (from first principles) is related to the pdf of Y. Generally, you also need to take into account that X can be negative. (unless you want to specifically say that the random variable X cannot be negative). After this, I think it is easiest to use the cumulative distribution, and differentiate to get the probability density functions.
 
Yes you right X also should be taken negative.
i didnt understand the step between line 2 and 3
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4wgc0vIE7CCUmpXLXJ0TEtIeUU/view?usp=sharing
 
Last edited by a moderator:
chenrim said:
i didnt understand the step between line 2 and 3
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4wgc0vIE7CCUmpXLXJ0TEtIeUU/view?usp=sharing

It looks like an argument using differentials. If f_X is the pdf of the random variable X then the probability of the event \{x: a &lt; x \le a + h\} \approx f_X(a) h. This is applied when a = \sqrt{y} and h = \frac{\triangle y} {2 \sqrt{y} } and again when a = -\sqrt{y}.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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