# Homework Help: Help Please -- cumulative distribution function, probability density

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1. Feb 1, 2015

### saulwizard1

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
For the next probability function: f(x)=x/4 for 0<x<2

2. Relevant equations
a) Get the probability function
b) Get the cumulative distribution function

3. The attempt at a solution
I don´t know if the problem is well written, and for that I'm lost with the first question.
f(0)=? f(1)=? f(2)=

2. Feb 1, 2015

### RUber

The probability function is what you gave in part 1, isn't it? Or do you need to scale it so that the function sums to one to be a probability density function?
The CDF is just the integral of the PDF.

3. Feb 2, 2015

### saulwizard1

I suppose that the probability function is given in the exercise, and for the CDF, do I only need to solve the integral? Then, which is the next step?

4. Feb 2, 2015

### haruspex

Except that f as given is not a valid probability density function. Do you see why?

5. Feb 2, 2015

### saulwizard1

I don´t know how to explain the reason, but the function is like it were incomplete, so the first step is to find the correct function, right? How can I do that? Or what are the steps?

6. Feb 2, 2015

### haruspex

The reason is that the total probability should be 1.

7. Feb 2, 2015

### saulwizard1

Yes, the probability is less than one, so how can I do to make the probabability be 1?

8. Feb 2, 2015

### haruspex

Think of f as specifying the relative probabilities.

9. Feb 2, 2015

### RUber

I am pretty sure you need to assume that p(x not in [0,2]) = 0.
So, to solve this problem, you need to focus on the goal of total probability being 1.
What is $\int_0^2 x/4 dx$? Is there a C such that $\int_0^2 Cx/4 dx = 1$? If there is, then your PDF is $f(x) = Cx/4$ and your CDF is $F(x) = \int_0^x Cy/4 dy$.

10. Feb 2, 2015

### saulwizard1

Ok please, can you explain me in more detail? I'm a little confused about the topic and for your information I'm 17 y/o, so please take this into consideration.

11. Feb 2, 2015

### Ray Vickson

We cannot help you without having more information about your background. Do you know basic calculus? Do you know what integration is, and how to do some elementary examples of it? Are you working with a textbook (even if you are not officially registered in a course)?

12. Feb 3, 2015

### saulwizard1

My background is that I know a little about integral calculus, I can do some indefinite integrals, I am working with the notes of my older brother and I only have the exercise but not the answer or procedure. About probability, these are my first steps on the subject and I´m doing this because I want to learn what my brother learned.

13. Feb 3, 2015

### haruspex

As I posted, you can treat the function as defining relative probabilities. I.e. the relative likelihoods at two points correspond to the ratio of the values of the function at those points. Given that, what can you think of to do to the function to make its total integral equal 1?

14. Feb 3, 2015

### RUber

First things first, do you know how to integrate x/4? To get the integral from 0 to 2 you evaluate the indefinite integral at 2 and subtract from that the evaluation at 0.

15. Feb 3, 2015

### RUber

Another useful tidbit when dealing with integrals is that multiplication by a constant can pass through the integral.
i.e. $\int_0^2 x/4 dx = \frac 14 \int_0^2 x dx$ this should help you with the scaling problem to make it equal 1.

16. Feb 3, 2015

### saulwizard1

I think that the result of integrate x/4 is equal to x^2/8 +c, right?
And then , the result of evaluate is equal to 1/2-0=1/2

17. Feb 3, 2015

### RUber

That's correct. So what should you multiply the function by in order for the integral to be 1?

18. Feb 3, 2015

### saulwizard1

I should multiply by 2, and if then I evaluate I get 2(2^2)/8-0=1-0=1, right?

19. Feb 3, 2015

### Ray Vickson

Right. So, what is the formula you get for the probability density function $p(x)$ (the one that integrates to 1)? From that, what would be the formula for the cumulative distribution function $F(x) = \int_0^x p(t) \, dt$?

20. Feb 3, 2015

### saulwizard1

The formula for probability function is $f(x) = Cx/4$ $f(x)=2x/4$
F(x) would be $x^2/4$ and for evaluate do I need to substitute x vith the values (0,1 and 2)?
Am I correct?