How to Calculate Mean & Variance of a Function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on calculating the mean and variance of a specific function related to a random variable, particularly in the context of signal processing. Participants explore both theoretical approaches using probability density functions (pdfs) and practical methods involving experimental data.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants provide formulas for calculating the mean and variance of a function given its pdf, including the integrals for expected values.
  • Others suggest that if only experimental data is available, the mean and variance can be estimated using sample averages and sample variance formulas.
  • A participant raises a specific function Hn(t) and asks how to identify the random variable and its pdf in this context.
  • Some participants emphasize the need to clarify what constitutes the random variable in the problem, questioning whether signal times or intervals are random.
  • There are suggestions to simulate the function with random variables to collect data for calculating mean and variance, with various approaches discussed.
  • One participant expresses a desire to find a general mathematical expression for the mean and variance of the function Hn(t) rather than relying solely on data.
  • Another participant discusses the relationship between the function Hn(t) and its representation in a time-hopping format for signal transmission, raising questions about the relevance of this information.
  • Some participants express confusion about the relationship between different variables and suggest starting with simpler assumptions for simulation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of the random variables involved or the best approach to take for calculating the mean and variance. Multiple competing views and methods are presented, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of defining random variables and their distributions, as well as the need for clarity in the problem statement. There are unresolved questions regarding the assumptions necessary for simulations and the mathematical expressions involved.

T.Engineer
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Can anybody explain to me how to get the mean and the Variance for a specific function.
Thanks a lot.
 
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T.Engineer said:
Can anybody explain to me how to get the mean and the Variance for a specific function.
Thanks a lot.

If you know exactly the pdf (probability density function) f(x), the formula for the mean is
\mu = E[x] = \int x f(x) dx
and for the variance
\sigma^{2} = E[(x - E[x])^{2}] = \int (x - E[x])^{2} f(x) dx

If you only have experimental data, you can estimate the mean and variance of the distribution :
m = 1/N\times\sum_{i = 1}^{N} x_{i}
s^{2} = 1/(N - 1)\times\sum_{i = 1}^{N} (x_{i} - m)^{2}

Hope it helps
 
For a specific function h of a random variable x with p.d.f. f(x),

Mean = E[h(x)] = ∫h(x)f(x) dx
Variance = E[(h(x) - Mean)^2] = ∫(h(x) - Mean)^2 f(x) dx

both integrated over the domain of f(x).

m = Σi h(xi)/N
s^2 = Σi (h(xi) - m)^2/(N-1)
 
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EnumaElish said:
For a specific function h of a random variable x with p.d.f. f(x),

Mean = E[h(x)] = ∫h(x)f(x) dx
Variance = E[(h(x) - Mean)^2] = ∫(h(x) - Mean)^2 f(x) dx

both integrated over the domain of f(x).

m = Σi h(xi)/N
s^2 = Σi (h(xi) - m)^2/(N-1)

for my function
Hn(t)= (-1)^n cos(2π fc t)* e^[(t^2)/4] *d^n/dt^n *e^[(t^2)/4]

what it will be h(x) and f(x)?
Thanks a lot!
 
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For me to answer this, you should tell me what is random. (You need a random variable for this to work.) Are signal times (t) random? Is the time between two signals random? What is your random variable?
 
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EnumaElish said:
For me to answer this, you should tell me what is random. (You need a random variable for this to work.) Are signal times (t) random? Is the time between two signals random? What is your random variable?

n is also random variable.
 
T.Engineer,

Please post the complete problem, exactly as it was given to you. You seem to be leaving out a lot of important information.

- Warren
 
chroot said:
T.Engineer,

Please post the complete problem, exactly as it was given to you. You seem to be leaving out a lot of important information.

- Warren

I'd like to find the mean and variance for the following function
Hn(t)= (-1)^n cos(2π fc t)* e^[(t^2)/4] *d^n/dt^n *e^[(t^2)/4]

where n=1,2,...,N
fc=6.5MHz
 
You can simulate this for a given n (random t).

You can simulate it for a given t and random n.

You can also simulate it with random t and random n.

You can collect the data and calculate the mean and the variance.
 
  • #10
EnumaElish said:
You can simulate this for a given n (random t).

You can simulate it for a given t and random n.

You can also simulate it with random t and random n.

You can collect the data and calculate the mean and the variance.

Thanks a lot!
but I don't know how to start?
should I use the method which represented by
http://w3eos.whoi.edu/12.747/notes/lect06/l06s02.html
and if yes, how to enter my function to this simulation?
for example in the first equation , what did he mean by
yi, y
 
  • #11
Also I'd like to find an expression for the mean and variance in general not by just data.
first of all I want to find a mathematical expression for my function Hn(t).
Or , should firstly to find the data? and after that to find the mathematical expression for mean and variance of Hn(t)??
 
  • #12
EnumaElish said:
You can also simulate it with random t and random n.

You can collect the data and calculate the mean and the variance.

And sure I prefer to simulate with random t and random n.
But how?

Thanks a lot!
 
  • #13
T.Engineer said:
Thanks a lot!
but I don't know how to start?
should I use the method which represented by
http://w3eos.whoi.edu/12.747/notes/lect06/l06s02.html
and if yes, how to enter my function to this simulation?
for example in the first equation , what did he mean by
yi, y
yi is the i'th individual data point (function value). (y1 = first data point, y2 = second, ...)

"y bar" is the mean yi, calculated as the average of all the yi's:

y bar = Σi yi / N for i = 1, ..., N.

To simulate the function, you need to answer:
1. What variables are random?
2. Are they independent?
3. What is the probability distribution function for each random variable?

Your answers may be:
1. t and n (see footnote)
2. Yes
3. This is the difficult question. What determines the time at which the signal is emitted? Is it a random process like nuclear (radioactive) decay? And what determines n?

To start simple, you can assume ti is distributed uniformly between ti-1 and Ti, where Ti is an upper bound. Also assume n is uniformly distributed between 0 and M (a large number).

1. Let i = 0. Assume t0 = 0. Assume n0 = 0.
2. Let i = i + 1. Generate uniform random value ti between ti-1 and Ti (say, Ti = ti-1 + 1)
3. Generate uniform random value ni between 0 and M (say, M = 10)
4. Evaluate H[ni](ti).
5. Go to step 2.
_______________________________
Footnote: Although I don't understand why n is random, I am going with your statement that n is random.
 
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  • #14
The transmitted signal represented by the function Hn(t)
which it will be transmitted according to time hopping format for kth users and given by :

S(t)= \sum^{\infty}_{j=-\infty} A^k Hn(t - jTf-cj Tc - rd^kj

where A: is the signal amplitude
Hn(t): transmitted signal
Tf: is the frame time, which is typically a hundre to a thousand times
the impulse width resulting in a signal with very low duty cycle.
Each frame is divided into N tim slots with duration Tc
cj: time-hopping sequence (0<=cj<= N) with period Tc
This provides an additional shift in order to avoid catastrophic
collisions due to multipl access interference.
d: is the sequence of the MN-ary data stream generated by the kth
source after channel coding.
r :is the additional time shift utilized by the N-ary pulse positio
modulation.
I don't know if the above information is important for what I am going to determine?
thanks a lot!
 
  • #15
It will take me some time to digest this information.

I thought Hn was only a function of t. See your earlier post https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1390181&postcount=4

How does the t in your last post relate to the t in your earlier post? Are they the same t? Do you mean to say Hn(#) = (-1)^n cos(2π fc #)* e^[(#^2)/4] *d^n/d#^n *e^[(#^2)/4] for some generic (general) argument # where # = t - jTf - cj Tc - r d^kj ?

If this is not it, what is it?

Assuming this is it, I advise you start simple by assuming t is uniformly distributed; you can easily change it later and replace it with a more complicated frequency distribution. I still do not understand why n is random; but if you think it is, then I am not going to argue with you. I will advise that you start simple and also assume n has a uniform frequency distribution.

Once you attach each of t and n to a frequency distribution, you can easily simulate your function to calculate the AC coefficient. You can also determine it analytically, by applying the formulas under this thread and under this other thread.
 
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  • #16
EnumaElish said:
Are they the same t? Do you mean to say Hn(#) = (-1)^n cos(2π fc #)* e^[(#^2)/4] *d^n/d#^n *e^[(#^2)/4] for some generic (general) argument # where # = t - jTf - cj Tc - r d^kj ?

If this is not it, what is it?

yes, exactly! that's right!
 
  • #17
EnumaElish said:
I will advise that you start simple and also assume n has a uniform frequency distribution.

You mean firstly I will work for n=1, for example.
is not that right?
 
  • #18
EnumaElish said:
you mean to say Hn(#) = (-1)^n cos(2π fc #)* e^[(#^2)/4] *d^n/d#^n *e^[(#^2)/4] for some generic (general) argument # where # = t - jTf - cj Tc - r d^kj

Once you attach each of t and n to a frequency distribution, you can easily simulate your function to calculate the AC coefficient. You can also determine it analytically, by applying the formulas under this thread and under this other thread.

Now, can you tell me how to start and from where?
Really I get confused.
Thanks a lot!
 

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