--%>

Use the law of iterated expectation to calculate

Suppose we have a stick of length L. We break it once at some point X _ Unif(0;L). Then we break it again at some point Y _ Unif(0;X). Use the law of iterated expectation to calculate E[Y ].

 

E

Expert

Verified

X is the length of the stick after we break for the ?rst time. Y is the length after the second time.

We have E[ Y | X ] = X /2, since the breakpoint is chosen uniformly over the length X  of the remaining stick.  similarly, E[X ] = L/2.

E[Y] = E[E [Y | X ] ]= E[X/2]=E[X]/2 = L/4

 

 

   Related Questions in Advanced Statistics

  • Q : Find the cumulative distribution

    You must use the pre-formatted cover sheet when you hand in the assignment. Out full detailed solutions. Sloppy work will naturally receive a lower score. 1. Suppose at each step, a particle moving on sites labelled by integer has three choices: move one site to the right with pro

  • Q : Probability and Statistics

    Instructions: Do your work on this question and answer sheet. Please print or write legibly, and, as always, be complete but succinct. Record your answer and your supporting work in the designated space. Explain your method of solution and be sure to label clearly any

  • Q : How you would use randomization in

    The design of instrument controls affects how easily people can use them. An investigator used 25 students who were right-handed to determine whether right-handed subjects preferred right-handed threaded knobs. He had two machines that differed only in that one had a

  • Q : Problem on Chebyshevs theorem 1. Prove

    1. Prove that the law of iterated expectations for continuous random variables.2. Prove that the bounds in Chebyshev's theorem cannot be improved upon. I.e., provide a distribution which satisfies the bounds exactly for k ≥1, show that it satisfies the

  • Q : Random variables Random variables with

    Random variables with zero correlation are not necessarily independent. Give a simple example.    

  • Q : Pearsons correlation coefficient The

    The table below illustrates the relationship between two variable X and Y. A

  • Q : Probability of winning game Monte Carlo

    Monte Carlo Simulation for Determining Probabilities 1. Determining the probability of winning at the game of craps is difficult to solve analytically. We will assume you are playing the `Pass Line.'  So here is how the game is played: The shooter rolls a pair of

  • Q : Conclusion using p-value and critical

    A sample of 9 days over the past six months showed that a clinic treated the following numbers of patients: 24, 26, 21, 17, 16, 23, 27, 18, and 25. If the number of patients seen per day is normally distributed, would an analysis of these sample data provide evid

  • Q : Problem on utility funtion probability

    Suppose that your utility, U, is a function only of wealth, Y, and that U(Y) is as drawn below. In this graph, note that U(Y) increases linearly between points a and b.  Suppose further that you do not know whether or not you

  • Q : Problem on Poisson distribution The

    The number of trucks coming to a certain warehouse each day follows the Poisson distribution with λ= 8. The warehouse can handle a maximum of 12 trucks a day. What is the probability that on a given day one or more trucks have to be sent away? Round the answer