MHB Understanding Random Variable Mapping and Probability Functions

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The discussion focuses on the concept of mapping for random variables, specifically how to define a random variable's mapping from an outcome space to a measurable space. It emphasizes that a random variable, denoted as X, is a measurable function that requires both the outcome space and the probability function to be fully characterized. The example provided involves two urns with red and white balls, illustrating how to determine the outcome space and the probabilities associated with different outcomes. The mapping for the random variable X, which represents Tim's profit, is clarified, distinguishing it from the probability map that needs to be identified separately. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of clearly defining both the mapping and the probability function in the context of random variables.
mathmari
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Hey! :giggle:

What does it mean to give the mapping for a random variable? Do we have to give the outcome space and the probability function? Does it hold that $X: ( \Omega, P)\mapsto \mathbb{R}$ ? :unsure:
 
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mathmari said:
What does it mean to give the mapping for a random variable? Do we have to give the outcome space and the probability function? Does it hold that $X: ( \Omega, P)\mapsto \mathbb{R}$ ?
Hey mathmari!

From the wiki defintion:
A random variable $X$ is a measurable function $X \colon \Omega \to E$ from a set of possible outcomes $\Omega$ to a measurable space $E$.

[...]

The probability that $X$ takes on a value in a measurable set $S\subseteq E$ is written as

$$\operatorname{P}(X \in S) = \operatorname{P}(\{ \omega \in \Omega \mid X(\omega) \in S \})$$


To give a mapping means that we need to characterize that mapping uniquely. 🤔
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Hey mathmari!

From the wiki defintion:
A random variable $X$ is a measurable function $X \colon \Omega \to E$ from a set of possible outcomes $\Omega$ to a measurable space $E$.

[...]

The probability that $X$ takes on a value in a measurable set $S\subseteq E$ is written as

$$\operatorname{P}(X \in S) = \operatorname{P}(\{ \omega \in \Omega \mid X(\omega) \in S \})$$


To give a mapping means that we need to characterize that mapping uniquely. 🤔


The exercise statement is :

An urn 1 contains 2 red and 8 white balls. An urn 2 contains 4 red and 6 white balls. A ball is drawn from each urn.

(a) Give a suitable probability space.

(b) Tim receives 1 Euro if the ball from urn 1 is red. Lena receives 1 euro if the Ball from urn 2 is white. Give the mapping rule for a random variable X that describes the profit of Tim, and a random variable Y, which describes Lena's profit. Find the joint distribution of X and Y. Are X and Y independent?At (a) I have found the outcome space $\Omega =\{ (R,R), (R,W), (W,R),(W,W)\}$ and the probabilities \begin{align*}&p((R,R))=\frac{2}{10}\cdot \frac{4}{10}=\frac{2}{25} \\ &p((R,W))=\frac{2}{10}\cdot \frac{6}{10}=\frac{3}{25} \\ &p((W,R))=\frac{8}{10}\cdot \frac{4}{10}=\frac{8}{25} \\ &p((W,W))=\frac{8}{10}\cdot \frac{6}{10}=\frac{12}{25}\end{align*} At (b) we have \begin{align*}&X(R,R)=1 \\ &X(R,W)= 1\\ &X(W,R)=0 \\ &X(W,W)=0\end{align*} and so \begin{align*}&P(X=1)=P(R,R)+P(R,W)=\frac 2{25}+\frac 3{25}=\frac 15 \\ &P(X=0)=P(W,R)+P(W,W)=\frac{8}{25}+\frac{12}{25}=\frac{4}{5}\end{align*} So is the map that we are looking for the $X$, the $P$ or both of them or something completely else? :unsure:
 
The map of the random variable $X: \Omega \to \text{Euros}$ is given by what you've already found:
\begin{align*}&X(R,R)=€ 1 \\ &X(R,W)= € 1\\ &X(W,R)=€ 0 \\ &X(W,W)=€ 0\end{align*}
This fully identifies the mapping of $X$. (Nod)

The probability map is a different map that needs to be identified separately. 🤔
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
The map of the random variable $X: \Omega \to \text{Euros}$ is given by what you've already found:
\begin{align*}&X(R,R)=€ 1 \\ &X(R,W)= € 1\\ &X(W,R)=€ 0 \\ &X(W,W)=€ 0\end{align*}
This fully identifies the mapping of $X$. (Nod)

The probability map is a different map that needs to be identified separately. 🤔

Ahh ok! Thank you for the clarification! 🤩
 

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