Moments of normal distribution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of moments for the normal distribution using its characteristic function. Participants explore the Taylor series expansion of the characteristic function and how to derive moments from it, focusing on the second moment in particular.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the characteristic function of the normal distribution and expresses a desire to find the moments through Taylor series expansion.
  • Another participant suggests taking the n-th derivative of the Taylor series and evaluating it at zero, noting that the exponential function should not appear within the Taylor expansion.
  • A participant attempts to calculate the first derivative of a term related to the moments and evaluates it at zero, questioning the role of the imaginary unit in the result.
  • One participant clarifies that the derivative evaluated at zero yields \(iE(X)\) rather than \(E(X)\).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the evaluation of the Taylor series and the interpretation of the results, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct approach to calculating the moments.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made in the Taylor series expansion and the treatment of the imaginary unit in the context of expected values.

senobim
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I have calculated characteristic function of normal distribution f_{X}(k)=e^{(ika-\frac{\sigma ^{2}k^{2}}{2})} and now I would like to find the moments, so I know that you could expand characteristic function by Taylor series

f_{X}(k)=exp(1+\frac{1}{1!}(ika - \frac{\sigma^2k^2}{2})+\frac{1}{2!}(ika - \frac{\sigma^2k^2}{2})^2+\frac{1}{3!}(ika - \frac{\sigma^2k^2}{2})^3+...)

f_{X}(k)=exp(1+\frac{(ik)}{1!}\left \langle X^1 \right \rangle+\frac{(ik)^2}{2!}\left \langle X^2 \right \rangle+\frac{(ik)^3}{3!}\left \langle X^3 \right \rangle+...)

and the moments will be
\left \langle X^n \right \rangle

Now the problem is that I completely forgot how to evaluate Taylor series.
Could you help me to calculate for example second moment? I know what the answer should be, but I couldn't get it right.
 
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Take the n-th derivative of the taylor series and evaluate at zero.
BTW your exponential function should not appear within the taylor expansion... this expansion IS the exponential funcition.
 
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I am trying to calculate first derivate of term <x1>

\frac{d}{dk}(ika-\frac{\sigma^2k^{2} }{2})=(ia - \sigma ^{2}k)

now I am evaluating it at 0

f_{X}(0)= ia

And what will happen with a i term?
 
f&#039;_X(0)=iE(X), not E(X).
 
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Thank you!
 

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