Joint probabilty integral boundaries understanding.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the boundaries for joint probability integrals, particularly in the context of calculating probabilities involving the expressions $P(|X+Y|<0.5)$ and $P(|X-Y|<0.5)$. Participants explore the setup of double integrals and the geometric interpretation of the areas involved, with a focus on the first quadrant and the necessity of breaking the integral into regions.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on how to set the boundaries for the integral when summing areas, expressing confusion over the calculations for specific regions.
  • Another participant questions whether the integral is for $P(|X+Y|<0.5)$ or $P(|X-Y|<0.5)$, suggesting that the plot may be incorrect and noting the need to break the integral into regions.
  • Participants discuss the necessity of including nested integrals and the potential for calculation mistakes when determining the areas.
  • One participant proposes breaking the integral into three pieces due to changing rules of association, providing setups for the first two regions and prompting for the third region's integral.
  • There is a discussion about discrepancies between geometric methods and integral methods, with one participant noting different results for area calculations.
  • A question arises regarding the probability of $P(|X-Y|=k)$, with one participant suggesting that it would have zero area in the $X-Y$ plane.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct setup for the integrals and the interpretation of geometric versus integral methods. There is no consensus on the best approach to calculate the areas or the implications of setting $k$ in the probability expression.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention potential calculation mistakes and the need for careful consideration of boundaries, but these issues remain unresolved. The discussion includes various interpretations of the geometric shapes involved and their implications for probability calculations.

oriel1
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Hi,
I have homework question that I'm trying to solve. But I can't understand the basis.
Here is a picture of the question and what I have done:
View attachment 6986
My question is, How do I set the boundaries for the integral? 1. If I want the whole squart. 2. To sum up areas.

Assume I want to sum the areas, I get difficulties to calculate area "1". By simply calculate integral of (y=x+0.5) from [0 to 0.5] it work, but I need to use double integral, in the picture I did it but the "1/4" seem to be wrong.
Thank you.
 

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Are you trying to calculate $P(|X+Y|<0.5)$ or $P(|X-Y|<0.5)?$ If the first, then your plot would seem to be incorrect. Here is W|A's plot command: plot |x+y| < 0.5 on [0,2]. You can see that the diagonal goes the other way. This is a tricky integral to set up, because you'll have to break it up into two regions, regardless of the order of integration.

[EDIT] The integral is less tricky than I thought, since you're only interested in the first quadrant. Better command for W|A: plot |x+y| < 0.5, 0<x<2, 0<y<2. It's a triangle. Can you set up that integral?
 
Ackbach said:
Are you trying to calculate $P(|X+Y|<0.5)$ or $P(|X-Y|<0.5)?$ If the first, then your plot would seem to be incorrect. Here is W|A's plot command: plot |x+y| < 0.5 on [0,2]. You can see that the diagonal goes the other way. This is a tricky integral to set up, because you'll have to break it up into two regions, regardless of the order of integration.

[EDIT] The integral is less tricky than I thought, since you're only interested in the first quadrant. Better command for W|A: plot |x+y| < 0.5, 0<x<2, 0<y<2. It's a triangle. Can you set up that integral?

Sorry, you right! this |x-y| I confused for a moment.
I'm trying to calculate this one: $P(|X-Y|<0.5)$. Where do I enter that "plot" command? do I need MATLAB or something?

However, I need to find answer. Finding the first quadrant is just part of the process that I think is relevant for solving that problem. Maybe I'm wrong with that way of thinking.

The Solution given is:
$$\int_{0}^{\frac{1}{2}}\int_{0}^{{\frac{1}{2}+x}}\frac{1}{4}dydx$$

I need to get that answer or other answer by myself. But must include nested integrals.
Thank you!
 
Last edited:
oriel said:
Sorry, you right! this |x-y| I confused for a moment.
I'm trying to calculate this one: $P(|X-Y|<0.5)$. Where do I enter that "plot" command? do I need MATLAB or something?

W|A refers to Wolfram|Alpha:

plot |x+y| < 0.5 on [0,2]
 
oriel said:
Sorry, you right! this |x-y| I confused for a moment.
I'm trying to calculate this one: $P(|X-Y|<0.5)$. Where do I enter that "plot" command? do I need MATLAB or something?

However, I need to find answer. Finding the first quadrant is just part of the process that I think is relevant for solving that problem. Maybe I'm wrong with that way of thinking.

The Solution given is:
$$\int_{0}^{\frac{1}{2}}\int_{0}^{{\frac{1}{2}+x}}\frac{1}{4}\, dy\, dx$$

I need to get that answer or other answer by myself. But must include nested integrals.
Thank you!

I think, then, that you will have to break up the integral into three pieces, because the rule of association changes as you go. The problem is that you don't want to pick up area outside the square $0<x<2, 0<y<2$. If you just integrate from $0$ to $2$, you'll get the wrong value. So here's the necessary setup for the first and second regions. See if you can come up with what you need for the third region.

$$P(|X-Y|<0.5) = \underbrace{\int_{0}^{0.5} \int_{0}^{x+0.5}\frac14 \, dy \, dx}_{\text{first region}} + \underbrace{\int_{0.5}^{1.5} \int_{x-0.5}^{x+0.5}\frac14 \, dy \, dx}_{\text{second region}}
+\text{third region integral}. $$
Does that help? What's the integral for the third region?
 
Ackbach said:
I think, then, that you will have to break up the integral into three pieces, because the rule of association changes as you go. The problem is that you don't want to pick up area outside the square $0<x<2, 0<y<2$. If you just integrate from $0$ to $2$, you'll get the wrong value. So here's the necessary setup for the first and second regions. See if you can come up with what you need for the third region.

$$P(|X-Y|<0.5) = \underbrace{\int_{0}^{0.5} \int_{0}^{x+0.5}\frac14 \, dy \, dx}_{\text{first region}} + \underbrace{\int_{0.5}^{1.5} \int_{x-0.5}^{x+0.5}\frac14 \, dy \, dx}_{\text{second region}}
+\text{third region integral}. $$
Does that help? What's the integral for the third region?

That what I did at first, and I got wrong answer. But I found calculation mistake, now it work and give correct answer. The third part need to be:
$$\int_{1.5}^{2}\int_{x-0.5}^{2}f(x,y)dydx$$

Ok, I understand how to set that specific boundaries. But why in the first "1" quadrant area when I calculate it with geometrics methods I get 3/8 but in the integral method it 3/32? even they both correct when sum-up the parts.

Another question, what if asked for P(|X-Y|=k) then k suppose to mobe between zero to four. for that example assuime k=0.5 How then I set the graph?

Thank you very much!
 
Last edited:
oriel said:
That what I did at first, and I got wrong answer. But I found calculation mistake, now it work and give correct answer. The third part need to be:
$$\int_{1.5}^{2}\int_{x-0.5}^{2}f(x,y)\, dy\,dx$$

Yep! Hint: I like to use a small spacer: \, in the $\LaTeX$ code to get spaces after $f(x,y)$ and in-between the differentials. I think it looks better.

oriel said:
Ok, I understand how to set that specific boundaries. But why in the first "1" quadrant area when I calculate it with geometrics methods

Not sure what you mean by "geometric methods". You mean non-calculus methods? If so, can you show your calculations?

oriel said:
I get 3/8 but in the integral method it 3/32? even they both correct when sum-up the parts.

Another question, what if asked for P(|X-Y|=k)

I could be wrong, but I think this shape in the $X-Y$ plane is either one or two straight lines, with zero area. Therefore, I would say the probability, with no calculations necessary, is zero.

oriel said:
then k suppose to mobe between zero to four. for that example assuime k=0.5 How then I set the graph?

Thank you very much!
 

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