Probability: Multivariate distribution change of variables

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The discussion revolves around finding the probability distribution of the transformed variable U_1, defined as Y_1/Y_2, given the joint probability density function of Y_1 and Y_2. The user initially struggles with determining the limits for U_2 while integrating to find the marginal distribution of U_1. It is clarified that U_2 can be set as Y_2, with integration limits for U_2 being 0 to 1, which helps establish the range for U_1 as well. The inequalities derived from the original variables confirm that U_1 must also lie between 0 and 1. Overall, the key takeaway is that the integration limits and inequalities guide the determination of the marginal distribution effectively.
Master1022
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Homework Statement
Suppose that ## Y_1 ## and ## Y_2 ## are random variables with joint pdf:
[tex] f_{y_1, y_2} (y_1, y_2) = 8y_1 y_2 [/tex] for ## 0 < y_1 < y_2 < 1 ## and 0 otherwise. Let ## U_1 = Y_1/Y_2 ##. Find the probability distribution ## p(u_1) ##.
Relevant Equations
Jacobian
Hi,

I was attempting the problem above and got stuck along the way.

Problem:
Suppose that ## Y_1 ## and ## Y_2 ## are random variables with joint pdf:
f_{y_1, y_2} (y_1, y_2) = 8y_1 y_2 for ## 0 < y_1 < y_2 < 1 ## and 0 otherwise. Let ## U_1 = Y_1/Y_2 ##. Find the probability distribution ## p(u_1) ##.

Attempt:
We are not given a ## U_2 ##, but the problem provides a hint that we can define an arbitrary value for ## U_2 ##, for example, ## Y_2 ##. Then we can use that to find ## f(u_1, u_2) ## and then integrate with respect to ## u_2 ## to get ## f(u_1)##. It is the final step where I am confused as I am not completely sure about the limits for ## u_2 ##.

The working is as follows:

1. Define ## U_2 = Y_2 ##. Both transformations are one-to-one transformations so no extra steps are needed.

2. Find y1 and y2 in terms of u1 and u2. This yields ## y_1 = u_1 u_2 ## and ## y_2 = u_2 ##

3. Find the magnitude of the Jacobian, which turns out to be ## |J| = |u_2| ##

4. Find ## f_{u_1, u_2} (u_1, u_2) = f_{y_1, y_2} (y_1, y_2)|J| = 8u_1 u_2 ^3 ##

5. Then we can integrate to find the marginal distribution of ## u_1 ##. We need to use the inequality ## 0 < y_1 < y_2 < 1 ## to find the limits. Splitting it up we get ## u_1 u_2 > 0 ## and ## u_1 u_2 < u_2 < 1 ##. At this point, I am not quite sure how to use the inequalities. Should I just be using the limits ## 0 ## to ## 1 ##? I think I may be overthinking it as I seem to think there should be some use of ## u_1 ##...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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To find the marginal distribution of U_1, you integrate with respect to u_2. Since you have taken u_2 = y_2 its limits are indeed 0 and 1.

From 0 &lt; y_1 &lt; y_2 you can determine the possible values of U_1.
 
pasmith said:
To find the marginal distribution of U_1, you integrate with respect to u_2. Since you have taken u_2 = y_2 its limits are indeed 0 and 1.

You also have from 0 &lt; y_1 &lt; y_2 that the possible values of u_1 y_1/y_2 lie in (0,1).
Thank you @pasmith ! So that means that ## 0 < u_1 < 1 ##. Am I correct in thinking that this implies that the inequality leads to ## 0 < u_2 < 1 ## as well?
 

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