Marginal PMG of of 2 random variables with Joint PMF

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two random variables, X and Y, characterized by a joint probability mass function (PMF) given by PXY(k,L) = 1/(2k+l) for k,l = 1,2,3,... The participants are tasked with demonstrating the independence of X and Y and finding their marginal PMFs, as well as calculating the probability P(X² + Y² ≤ 10).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the concept of independence and attempt to show it through specific examples. Questions arise regarding the calculation of marginal PMFs, with some participants suggesting the need for summation over possible values of Y for a fixed X. There is also a discussion about the distinction between joint PMF and marginal PMF definitions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the definitions and calculations related to marginal PMFs. Some guidance has been offered regarding the summation process for finding marginal PMFs, and the relationship between joint and marginal PMFs is being clarified. However, there is no explicit consensus on the independence proof as it requires broader validation across all possible sets.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the approach to finding marginal PMFs, particularly in the context of infinite ranges for the random variables. The original poster has not yet addressed part B of the problem, indicating a focus on the initial parts of the homework statement.

whitejac
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Homework Statement


Consider two random variables X and Y with joint PMF given by:
PXY(k,L) = 1/(2k+l), for k,l = 1,2,3,...

A) Show that X and Y are independent and find the marginal PMFs of X and Y
B) Find P(X2 + Y2 ≤ 10)

Homework Equations


P(A)∩P(B)/P(B) = P(A|B)
P(A|B) = P(A) if independent

The Attempt at a Solution


Choosing two arbitrary numbers to show P(A|B) = P(A)

P(x<2) ∩ P(y≤1) / P(y≤1)
=P(1,1) + P(1,2) + P(1,3)... + P(1, L) ∩ P(1,1) + P(1,2) + P(1,3)...+ P(k,1) / P(y≤1)
=P(1,1) / P(1,1) + P(1,2) + P(1,3)... + P(k,1)
Note: Geometric series
=(1/4) / (1/2)(1/2^k)
=(1/4) / (1/4)(1 / (1 - (1/2)))
=(1/4) / 2
= 1/2

P(A) = P(x<2) = P(1,L) =
=1/4 (1/2L)
=1/4 (1 / (1 - (1/2)))
=1/4 (2)
= 1/2

X and Y are independent.

How does one find the Marginal PMF of this equation then? The ones I've seen before in discrete sections were pre-made and finite... meaning that they were a table of results for X =1,2,3... and Y = 1,2,3... for the range of each. Should I be finding a summation for each value of X + Y?

I haven't considered part B yet.
 
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whitejac said:

Homework Statement


Consider two random variables X and Y with joint PMF given by:
PXY(k,L) = 1/(2k+l), for k,l = 1,2,3,...

A) Show that X and Y are independent and find the marginal PMFs of X and Y
B) Find P(X2 + Y2 ≤ 10)

Homework Equations


P(A)∩P(B)/P(B) = P(A|B)
P(A|B) = P(A) if independent

The Attempt at a Solution


Choosing two arbitrary numbers to show P(A|B) = P(A)

P(x<2) ∩ P(y≤1) / P(y≤1)
=P(1,1) + P(1,2) + P(1,3)... + P(1, L) ∩ P(1,1) + P(1,2) + P(1,3)...+ P(k,1) / P(y≤1)
=P(1,1) / P(1,1) + P(1,2) + P(1,3)... + P(k,1)
Note: Geometric series
=(1/4) / (1/2)(1/2^k)
=(1/4) / (1/4)(1 / (1 - (1/2)))
=(1/4) / 2
= 1/2

P(A) = P(x<2) = P(1,L) =
=1/4 (1/2L)
=1/4 (1 / (1 - (1/2)))
=1/4 (2)
= 1/2

X and Y are independent.

How does one find the Marginal PMF of this equation then? The ones I've seen before in discrete sections were pre-made and finite... meaning that they were a table of results for X =1,2,3... and Y = 1,2,3... for the range of each. Should I be finding a summation for each value of X + Y?

I haven't considered part B yet.

The marginal pmf of ##X## is ##P_X(k) = P(X = k) = P(X = k \: \& \; Y= \text{anything})##. Note that for ##l = 1,2,3 \ldots## the different events ##\{ X = k, Y = l \}## are disjoint (mutually exclusive), so the probability of ##\{ X = k \: \& \; Y \in \{ 1,2,3, \ldots \} \} ## is just the sum of their probabilities for different ##l##.
 
Ray Vickson said:
The marginal pmf of ##X## is ##P_X(k) = P(X = k) = P(X = k \: \& \; Y= \text{anything})##. Note that for ##l = 1,2,3 \ldots## the different events ##\{ X = k, Y = l \}## are disjoint (mutually exclusive), so the probability of ##\{ X = k \: \& \; Y \in \{ 1,2,3, \ldots \} \} ## is just the sum of their probabilities for different ##l##.
How does this differ from PXY, because that's what it sounds like. If the marginal pmf is P(X = k and Y equals anything), it sounds like I'm looking for PXY(k,l)
 
whitejac said:
How does this differ from PXY, because that's what it sounds like. If the marginal pmf is P(X = k and Y equals anything), it sounds like I'm looking for PXY(k,l)
Sorry, it differs by definition. PXY(K,L) = PX(K)PY(L) which, in this case, equals:
1 / (2K) * 1 / (2L).
 
whitejac said:
Sorry, it differs by definition. PXY(K,L) = PX(K)PY(L) which, in this case, equals:
1 / (2K) * 1 / (2L).

Right: and ##P_X(k) = \sum_{l=1}^{\infty} P_{XY}(k,l)##, etc.

By the way, the fact that ##P_{XY}(k,l) = P_X(k) P_Y(l)## is what makes ##X## and ##Y## independent. You did not convincingly show independence in your previous post, because you only showed a few examples of ##P(X \in A \; \& \; Y \in B) = P(X \in A) \, P(Y \in B)## for one or two special cases of ##A## and ##B##. To prove independence, you need to establish this for all possible choices of ##A## and ##B##.
 

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