MHB Moment generating function question

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The discussion revolves around finding the moment generating function (MGF) of the sum SN of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables X1, X2, ..., XN, where N is an independent non-negative integer-valued random variable. Participants express uncertainty about the distribution of the X variables and how to derive the MGF without this information. A proposed formula for the MGF is presented, assuming a normal distribution for the X variables, leading to the expression m_{SN}(t) = ∑ p_n e^{(n/2)σ²t²}. Clarifications are sought regarding the derivation of this formula and the implications of the distributions involved. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between the random variables and their distributions in calculating the MGF.
oyth94
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Let X1,X2,…,Xn be independent random variables that all have the same distribution, let N be an independent non-negative integer valued random variable, and let SN:=X1+X2+⋯+XN. Find an expression for the moment generating function of SN

so all i know is that it is i.i.d but i am not sure what distribution it is in order to find the moment generating function. how do i solve this question?
 
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Re: moment generating function question

oyth94 said:
Let X1,X2,…,Xn be independent random variables that all have the same distribution, let N be an independent non-negative integer valued random variable, and let SN:=X1+X2+⋯+XN. Find an expression for the moment generating function of SN

so all i know is that it is i.i.d but i am not sure what distribution it is in order to find the moment generating function. how do i solve this question?

I'm not sure to have correctly understood... is N, the number of random variables, a random variable itself?...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Re: moment generating function question

oyth94 said:
Let X1,X2,…,Xn be independent random variables that all have the same distribution, let N be an independent non-negative integer valued random variable, and let SN:=X1+X2+⋯+XN. Find an expression for the moment generating function of SN

so all i know is that it is i.i.d but i am not sure what distribution it is in order to find the moment generating function. how do i solve this question?

Let suppose that we know the quantity...

$\displaystyle p_{n}= P \{N=n\}\ (1)$

... and each continuous r.v. is $\displaystyle \mathcal {N} (0,\sigma)$, then is...

$\displaystyle m_{S_{N}} (t) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} p_{n}\ e^{\frac{n}{2}\ \sigma^{2}\ t^{2}}\ (2)$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Re: moment generating function question

chisigma said:
Let suppose that we know the quantity...

$\displaystyle p_{n}= P \{N=n\}\ (1)$

... and each continuous r.v. is $\displaystyle \mathcal {N} (0,\sigma)$, then is...

$\displaystyle m_{S_{N}} (t) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} p_{n}\ e^{\frac{n}{2}\ \sigma^{2}\ t^{2}}\ (2)$

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

I'm not sure how you arrived at this answer..can you please explain?
 
If I understood correctly, the $X_{i}, i=1,2,...,N$ are continuous r.v. with the same p.d.f. f(x) [which is not specified...] and N is a discrete r.v. with discrete p.d.f. $p_{n} = P \{N=n\}, n=1,2,...\ $. Setting $S = X_{1} + X_{2} + ... + X_{N}$, the r.v. S has p.d.f. ...

$\displaystyle f_{N} (x) = f(x) * f(x) * ... * f(x),\text{N times}\ (1)$

... and the moment generating function is...$\displaystyle m_{S} (t) = E \{e^{S\ t}\} = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} p_{n}\ \int_{- \infty}^{+ \infty} e^{x\ t} f_{n} (x)\ dx\ (2)$Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
There is a nice little variation of the problem. The host says, after you have chosen the door, that you can change your guess, but to sweeten the deal, he says you can choose the two other doors, if you wish. This proposition is a no brainer, however before you are quick enough to accept it, the host opens one of the two doors and it is empty. In this version you really want to change your pick, but at the same time ask yourself is the host impartial and does that change anything. The host...

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