15.6 - Worked Example (Continuous Case)
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Introduction to Marginal Distributions
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Today, we'll explore marginal distributions, which help us analyze individual random variables from joint probability distributions. Can anyone tell me what a joint probability distribution is?
Isn't it the probability distribution that involves two or more random variables?
Exactly! Now, to find the behavior of a single variable, we can marginalize the joint distribution. Does anyone remember what marginalization is?
It's when we integrate out the other variables to focus on one variable.
Correct! The whole idea is to simplify complex distributions. Let's move into an example that uses these concepts. So, we have a joint pdf given as... what was that joint pdf?
It’s 6xy where 0 < x < 1 and 0 < y < 1.
Great memory! Now we’ll work on deriving the marginal distributions.
Finding Marginal Pdf of X
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To find the marginal pdf of X, we integrate the joint pdf over Y. Does anyone remember how we did this?
We set up the integral from 0 to 1 of the joint pdf.
Exactly! So our equation looks like this: $f_X(x) = \int_0^1 6xy \: dy$. What comes next?
We solve the integral of y from 0 to 1!
Right! That leads us to $f_X(x) = 3x$, valid for $0 < x < 1$. Now, can anyone summarize what that means regarding the probability of X?
It gives us the individual probability behavior of X, ignoring Y.
Finding Marginal Pdf of Y
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Now let's find the marginal pdf for Y using the same method. We again integrate the joint pdf but this time over X. Who can write that out for me?
The integral should be $f_Y(y) = \int_0^1 6xy \: dx$.
Correct! And what do you find when you compute that integral?
It also simplifies to $3y$ for $0 < y < 1$.
Excellent! This shows how each variable can be treated individually. Why is it important to recognize these marginals?
It helps in understanding each variable's distribution, which can be crucial in engineering applications.
Applications of Marginal Distributions
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In what fields do you think marginal distributions are used? Let's brainstorm some applications.
Signal processing could use them, especially with individual signals.
Reliability engineering might apply them to estimate failure rates.
Great insights! They are also crucial in fields like communication systems and machine learning. Understanding the behavior of individual variables gives us significant analysis power. Can anyone summarize what we’ve learned about marginal distributions?
We've learned how to calculate them, their significance, and their applications.
Recap and Review
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To finish up, can anyone define what we mean by marginal distributions once more?
It’s the probability distribution of one variable after integrating out others.
Perfect! And remember, they’re vital for analyzing systems where we want to focus on specific variables without the complexity of joint distributions. Any questions before we end?
Could you remind us about the importance of independent variables again?
Of course! If we know X and Y are independent, we can reconstruct the joint pdf as the product of the marginals. That’s a key point! Great work today, everyone!
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
The focused worked example guides through calculating the marginal distributions from a given joint probability density function (pdf) for two continuous random variables. It illustrates the determination of marginal pdfs through integration, providing important insights into the behavior of individual variables.
Detailed
Worked Example (Continuous Case)
In this section, we delve into a practical example of finding marginal distributions for two continuous random variables, X and Y, using a specified joint probability density function (pdf). The joint pdf given is:
$$
f_{X,Y}(x,y) = \begin{cases}
6xy, & 0 < x < 1, 0 < y < 1 \
0, & \text{otherwise}
\end{cases}
$$
The objective is to derive the marginal distributions, $f_X(x)$ and $f_Y(y)$, from the joint pdf through integration:
- Calculating the Marginal Pdf of X:
To find the marginal pdf of X, we integrate the joint pdf over all possible values of Y:
$$
f_X(x) = \int_{-\infty}^{\\infty} f_{X,Y}(x,y) \, dy = \int_0^1 6xy \, dy = 6x \int_0^1 y \, dy = 6x \left[\frac{y^2}{2}\right]_0^1 = 3x, \text{ for } 0 < x < 1.
$$
- Calculating the Marginal Pdf of Y:
Similarly, for the marginal pdf of Y, we perform the integration over all possible x values:
$$
f_Y(y) = \int_{-\infty}^{\\infty} f_{X,Y}(x,y) \, dx = \int_0^1 6xy \, dx = 6y \int_0^1 x \, dx = 6y \left[\frac{x^2}{2}\right]_0^1 = 3y, \text{ for } 0 < y < 1.
$$
Through this example, we reinforce the understanding and application of marginal distributions. The earnings generated from the calculations detail the separate impacts of each random variable, highlighting their respective probability behaviors independent of one another.
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Problem Statement
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
Problem: Given the joint pdf:
$$
f(x, y) = \begin{cases}
6xy, & 0 < x < 1, 0 < y < 1 \
0, & \text{otherwise}
\end{cases}
$$
Find the marginal distributions $f(X)$ and $f(Y)$.
Detailed Explanation
In this problem, we are given a joint probability density function (pdf) for two continuous random variables, X and Y, defined as 6xy within the range (0,1) for both x and y. Our goal is to find the marginal distributions of these two variables, f(X) and f(Y). Marginal distribution focuses on the behavior of a single variable without regard to the other.
Examples & Analogies
Think of this joint pdf as a recipe that tells us how two ingredients, X (e.g., flour) and Y (e.g., sugar), interact in making a cake. If we want to know how much flour to use regardless of how much sugar is in the cake, we look for the marginal distribution (flour) extracted from the overall recipe (joint pdf).
Finding the Marginal pdf of X
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
Solution:
- Marginal pdf of $X$:
$$
f(X) = \int_{0}^{1} 6xy \, dy = 6x \int_{0}^{1} y \, dy = 6x \left[ \frac{y^2}{2} \right]_{0}^{1} = 6x \cdot \frac{1^2}{2} = 6x \cdot \frac{1}{2} = 3x$$
Valid for $0 < x < 1$.
Detailed Explanation
To find the marginal pdf of X, we integrate the joint pdf with respect to Y. This process effectively 'removes' the Y variable by summing over its range (from 0 to 1). After evaluating the integral, we find that the marginal pdf for X is 3x, which tells us how the variable X alone behaves within the given limits.
Examples & Analogies
Continuing with the cake analogy, if we want to know just how much flour (X) is needed in the recipe, regardless of the amount of sugar (Y), we look for all combinations of flour and sugar that add up to our cake and determine our total amount of flour needed. This marginal pdf tells us how much of our 'ingredient' is needed independently.
Finding the Marginal pdf of Y
Chapter 3 of 3
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Chapter Content
- Marginal pdf of $Y$:
$$
f(Y) = \int_{0}^{1} 6xy \, dx = 6y \int_{0}^{1} x \, dx = 6y \left[ \frac{x^2}{2} \right]_{0}^{1} = 6y \cdot \frac{1^2}{2} = 6y \cdot \frac{1}{2} = 3y$$
Valid for $0 < y < 1$.
Detailed Explanation
Similarly, we find the marginal pdf for Y by integrating the joint pdf with respect to X. This process reduces the two variables down to just Y. Our solution reveals that the marginal pdf of Y is 3y, indicating how Y behaves on its own without considering X.
Examples & Analogies
Using our recipe analogy again, determining how much sugar (Y) to add on its own, while considering the total contributions of flour is akin to integrating out the effects of flour. The result, the marginal pdf, tells us the necessary amount of sugar independently.
Key Concepts
-
Marginal Distribution: A probability distribution of a variable disregarding other variables.
-
Joint Probability Density Function: The joint likelihood of two or more continuous random variables.
-
Integration: The process used to derive marginal distributions by summing over other variables.
Examples & Applications
Given a joint pdf f(x,y) = 6xy where 0 < x < 1 and 0 < y < 1, the marginal pdf f_X(x) is computed as 3x for 0 < x < 1.
If we have f_Y(y) calculated similarly from the joint pdf, it also results in 3y, providing an understanding of how y behaves independent of x.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
To find the marginals, integrate with care, Over all the other vars, leave one to spare.
Stories
Imagine a factory where products depend on both the machine A and machine B. By focusing on just machine A, we can see how it operates independently, disregarding the influence of machine B—this is like finding the marginal of A from our joint settings.
Memory Tools
MARGINS: Marginals Are Really Great Individual Notions Simplifying.
Acronyms
JPMD
Joint Probability Marginal Density.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Joint Probability Density Function (pdf)
A function that describes the likelihood of two or more continuous random variables occurring simultaneously.
- Marginal Distribution
The probability distribution of one random variable irrespective of other variables.
- Integration
A mathematical operation used to calculate the area under the curve, used here to compute probability distributions.
- Probability
A measure of the likelihood that an event will occur, ranging between 0 (impossible) and 1 (certain).
- Continuous Random Variables
Variables that can take an infinite number of values within a given range.
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