Moment generating function help?

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SUMMARY

The moment generating function (MGF) of a sample from an exponential distribution with density function f(x) = A*e^(-Ax) is established as A/(t-A). When summing the samples (Z = sum(Xi)), the resulting distribution follows a gamma density function. This relationship is derived from the property that the MGF of the sum of independent random variables equals the product of their individual MGFs, expressed as e^{t∑Xi} = ∏e^{tXi}.

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millwallcrazy
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I know that hte MGF is = the E[e^tx]

How do i show that if i take a sample (X1;X2; : : :Xn) from the exponential density f(x) = A*e^(-Ax), then the sum Z = sum(Xi) has the gamma density?

I found that the MGF for the exponential was A/(t-A) if that helps

Thanks
 
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Note that

<br /> e^{t\sum X_i}} = \prod{e^{tX_i}}<br />

This will relate the form of the mgf of the sum to the individual mgfs of the sample.
 

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