MHB Is it Possible for a Random Variable to Have a Variance of Zero?

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    2015
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A random variable with a variance of zero indicates that it does not vary and takes a constant value almost surely. This means that the random variable equals its expected value with probability one. The discussion highlights that no participants successfully solved the problem posed, which required proving this relationship. The solution emphasizes the fundamental properties of variance and expectation in probability theory. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping the behavior of random variables.
Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $X$ be random variable whose variance is zero. Prove that with probability one, $X = \Bbb E[X]$.

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No one answered this week's problem correctly. Here is my solution:

For convenience, let $\mu = \Bbb E[X]$. The sequence of events $(|X - \mu| > 1/n)$, $n\in \Bbb N$, increases to the event $(X \neq \mu)$, so $P(X\neq \mu) = \lim\limits_{n\to \infty} P(|X - \mu| > 1/n)$. By Markov's inequality and the assumption $\operatorname{Var}(X) = 0$, we have $$P(|X - \mu| > 1/n) = P(|X - \mu|^2 > 1/n^2) \le n^2 \operatorname{Var}(X) = 0$$ for all $n\in \Bbb N$. Therefore, $P(X\neq \mu) = 0$. In other words, $X = \mu$ with probability one.
 

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