# Homework Help: Joint Probability FunctionStatistical Independence

1. Jun 2, 2010

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

If X and Y are statistically independent, then f(x,y) = g(x)h(y) where
$g(x) = \int f(x,y) dy$
$h(y) = \int f(x,y) dx$

3. The attempt at a solution

(a)
$g(x) = \int f(x,y) dy = \int_{y=0}^{1-x} 6x\, dy$
$\Rightarrow g(x)=6x(1-x)$

and

$h(y) = \int f(x,y) dx = \int_{x=0}^{1} 6x \,dx$
$\Rightarrow h(y)=3$

Thus h(y)g(x) $\ne$ f(x,y) and thus X and Y are NOT statistically independent.

Now before I move onto (b) look at the solution that the text gives.

I have no idea what is going on in the upper bound for the h(y) integral? They also went a different route with the solution, but I think that my way should work since it is a definition of independence. But clearly our h(y) functions should be the same. What am I missing?

Thanks,
Casey

2. Jun 2, 2010

### vela

Staff Emeritus
If you sketch the region over which f(x,y)=6x, you'll see it's a triangle with vertices at (0,0), (0,1), and (1,0). From the sketch, you can see that for a given value of y, f(x,y)=6x only for values of x between 0 and 1-y; therefore, the upper limit of the integral should be 1-y, not 1.

3. Jun 3, 2010