Joint cumulative distribution of dependent variables

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the computation of a joint cumulative distribution involving dependent random variables $X, Y, Z$ that are uniformly distributed in the interval $[0,1]$. Participants are exploring the probability $\text{Pr}(X+Y+Z>\alpha \;\;\; \& \;\;\; X+Y\leq \alpha)$, examining the correctness of equations and integrals related to the joint distribution and probability density functions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an equation for the joint distribution $f_{X+Y+Z,X+Y}(u,v)$ and questions its correctness for continuous random variables.
  • Another participant suggests that the last integral can be simplified but does not provide details.
  • There is a discussion about the probability density function (p.d.f.) of the random variable $T = X + Y + Z$, with references to convolution of p.d.f.s and Laplace transforms.
  • One participant points out a potential typo regarding the independence of the random variables and questions whether the density of $X+Y$ has been computed.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on the notation used for the p.d.f. and raises questions about the multiplication factor in the p.d.f. expression, suggesting it should be $\frac{1}{2}$ instead of $\frac{1}{6}$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the correctness of the initial equations and the assumptions about independence. There is no consensus on the proper handling of the joint distribution or the p.d.f. calculations, indicating multiple competing views and unresolved questions.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions regarding the dependence of the random variables, nor have they clarified the implications of the joint distribution on the computations presented.

OhMyMarkov
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Hello everyone!

The problem:
$X,Y,Z$ are random variables that are dependent and uniformly-distributed in $[0,1]$, and let $\alpha$ be a given number in $[0,1]$. I am asked to compute the following:

$\text{Pr}(X+Y+Z>\alpha \;\;\; \& \;\;\; X+Y\leq \alpha)$​

What I have so far

$f_{X+Y+Z,X+Y}(u,v)=f_{Z,X+Y}(u-v,v)=f_{Z}(u-v)\cdot f_{X+Y}(v)$

(1) Is the above equation correct? I think it stands for discrete RVs but not quite sure for continuous RVs... If it is true, is the following integral correct to compute the desired probability?

$\int _{\alpha} ^{+\infty} \int _{-\infty} ^{\alpha} f_{X+Y+Z,X+Y}(u,v) du\; dv = \int _{\alpha} ^{+\infty} \int _{-\infty} ^{\alpha} f_{Z}(u-v)f_{X+Y}(v) du\; dv=
\int _{\alpha} ^{+\infty} \alpha f_{X+Y}(v) dv$​
 
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I've not checked carefully the details but it follows from a substitution. I think we can simplify the last integral.
 
:confused:
 
OhMyMarkov said:
Hello everyone!

The problem:
$X,Y,Z$ are random variables that are dependent and uniformly-distributed in $[0,1]$, and let $\alpha$ be a given number in $[0,1]$. I am asked to compute the following:

$\text{Pr}(X+Y+Z>\alpha \;\;\; \& \;\;\; X+Y\leq \alpha)$​

What I have so far

$f_{X+Y+Z,X+Y}(u,v)=f_{Z,X+Y}(u-v,v)=f_{Z}(u-v)\cdot f_{X+Y}(v)$

(1) Is the above equation correct? I think it stands for discrete RVs but not quite sure for continuous RVs... If it is true, is the following integral correct to compute the desired probability?

$\int _{\alpha} ^{+\infty} \int _{-\infty} ^{\alpha} f_{X+Y+Z,X+Y}(u,v) du\; dv = \int _{\alpha} ^{+\infty} \int _{-\infty} ^{\alpha} f_{Z}(u-v)f_{X+Y}(v) du\; dv=
\int _{\alpha} ^{+\infty} \alpha f_{X+Y}(v) dv$​

If X, Y and Z are non negative r.v., then if X + Y + Z > a then X + Y < a so that what You have to find is the p.d.f. of the r.v. T = X + Y + Z. X, Y and Z are uniformely distributed in [0,1], so that their p.d.f. and its L-transform is... $\displaystyle f(t) = \mathcal {U} (t) - \mathcal{U} (t-1) \implies F(s) = \frac{1 - e^{-s}}{s}\ (1)$

The p.d.f. of T is the convolution of three p.d.f. ...

$\displaystyle f_{T} (t) = f(t)*f(t)*f(t) = \mathcal{L}^{-1}\{\frac{1 - 3\ e^{- s} + 3\ e^{- 2\ s} - e^{- 3\ s}}{s^{3}}\} = \frac{1}{6}\ \{ t^{2}\ \mathcal U(t) - 3\ (t-1)^{2}\ \mathcal U (t-1) + 3\ (t-2)^{2}\ \mathcal {U} (t-2) - (t-3)^{2}\ \mathcal{U} (t-3)\}\ (2)$

Now is simply...

$\displaystyle P \{ X + Y + Z > a\} = 1 - \int_{0}^{a} f_{T}(t)\ dt\ (3)$ Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
OhMyMarkov said:
:confused:

There is just a minor typo in the initial post (you meant the random variables are independent). Now I think it's good. Did you compute a density of $X+Y$.
 
chisigma said:
If X, Y and Z are non negative r.v., then if X + Y + Z > a then X + Y < a so that what You have to find is the p.d.f. of the r.v. T = X + Y + Z. X, Y and Z are uniformely distributed in [0,1], so that their p.d.f. and its L-transform is... $\displaystyle f(t) = \mathcal {U} (t) - \mathcal{U} (t-1) \implies F(s) = \frac{1 - e^{-s}}{s}\ (1)$

The p.d.f. of T is the convolution of three p.d.f. ...

$\displaystyle f_{T} (t) = f(t)*f(t)*f(t) = \mathcal{L}^{-1}\{\frac{1 - 3\ e^{- s} + 3\ e^{- 2\ s} - e^{- 3\ s}}{s^{3}}\} = \frac{1}{6}\ \{ t^{2}\ \mathcal U(t) - 3\ (t-1)^{2}\ \mathcal U (t-1) + 3\ (t-2)^{2}\ \mathcal {U} (t-2) - (t-3)^{2}\ \mathcal{U} (t-3)\}\ (2)$

Now is simply...

$\displaystyle P \{ X + Y + Z > a\} = 1 - \int_{0}^{a} f_{T}(t)\ dt\ (3)$ Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
Hello,
What is $\mathcal U(t)-\mathcal U(t-1)$? Is it a Probability density function of uniform distribution at t=1. Have you used here heavyside function concept? Why did you multiply (2) by $\frac16$ ? It should be multiplied by $\frac12$. My guess is X,Y,Z are dependent random variables, therefore, you multiplied (2) by $\frac16 i.e. (\frac12*\frac13)$ Am i correct?
 
Last edited:

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