Interesting Feymann statement about probability.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a question related to probability, specifically focusing on the binomial distribution and its application to a random walk problem as presented in the Feynman lectures. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the relationship between the variables involved, particularly the net distance traveled (D) and the number of heads (k) in the context of their distributions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how Feynman's assertion about the distributions of D and k being the same arises from their linear relationship. They question the clarity of this explanation and express skepticism about the assumption that linear relationships imply identical distributions.
  • Another participant raises a general question about the distribution of a transformed random variable and whether two dichotomous variables, such as a coin toss and a lottery ticket, share the same distribution.
  • Further contributions explore the implications of discrete distributions and the mapping of probabilities between the variables D and NH.

Discussion Status

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of probability distributions and their transformations, with some expressing uncertainty about the implications of linear relationships in this context. The original poster also notes a potential language barrier in articulating their thoughts.

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1. Hello gentlemen! I've studying the Feymann lectures, and I came across an interesting question, from reading the chapter 6, about probability.
In this chapter, Feymann deduces the binomial distribution, and I am ok with that.
But, in the 3rd section, when adresses to the random walk problem, he registered something that was very cumbersome for me to understand.
Let me try to explain.
He deal with two variables when solving the binomial distribution problem: n, the number of tosses of a "fair" coin; and k, the number of heads thrown. In the end, he gets:
[itex]P(k,n)=\frac{\left( \stackrel{n}{k} \right)}{2^n}.[/itex]

Ok, I got the point.
But later, he starts to solve the random walk problem, and introduces another variable, D, which is the net distance traveled in N steps.
Ok.
Stablishing a relation to the binomial distribution problem, D is just the difference between the number of heads and the number of tails, as heads stands for a forward step and tais for backward steps.
So,
[itex]D = N_H - N_T,[/itex]
and
[itex]N = N_H + N_T.[/itex]
So,
[itex]D = 2N_H - N.[/itex]
All right. Nothing difficult up to now.
But then, comes the magic.
He afirms that "We have derived earlier an expression for the expected distribution for D. Since N is just a constant, we have the corresponding distribution for D."
I got the impression that he is trying to pass the idea that as D is in a linear relation with [itex]N_H[/itex], they must have the same distribution.
2. In my opinion, Feymann did not express himself clearly, as he gives the impression that D and k have the same distribution because they have a linear relation between them. But, this is far from obvious, at least in my opinion. I cannot imagine that if tho variables are related by a linear relation, they will have same probability distribution.
I think both D and k have same distribution because they are basically Dichotomous variables. I would like to receive your advices. Thank you in advance.


P.S.: sorry for my poor english.
 
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If ## y = ax + b ## and ## x ## is a random variable with distribution ## \Phi (x) ##, what does the distribution function of y look like?

A coin toss (outcomes heads or tails) and a lottery ticket (outcomes win or lose) are both dichotomous variables. Do they have the same distribution?
 
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I think I got the point. The distribution doesn't change because y only takes x values to another value, which is inside the x dominium, am I right? This way, [itex]\Phi[/itex] has a value for it. Is this what I should think?
 
Last edited:
The key point (these being discrete distributions) is that there is a 1-1 correspondence between values of D and values of NH. Consequently we can map the probabilities where they are nonzero: P[D=2h-N] = P[NH=h]. But note we also have P[D=2h-N+1] = 0 for all integer h.
 
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