Problem on Expected Value (Probability)
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We are given a set $X = {x_1,...,x_n}$, where $x_i = 2^i$. A sample $S subseteq X$ is drawn by selecting each $x_i$ independently with probability $p_i=frac{1}{2}$. The expected value of the smallest number in sample S is:
(A) $frac{1}{n}$
(B) $2$
(C) $sqrt{n}$
(D) $n$
My approach:
$X = {2^1,2^2,...,2^n}$
Smallest number in sample space is $2$ and probability of $2$ being selected is $frac{1}{2}$. So, I think answer should be $frac{1}{2}$ but it's not in the option.
probability
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
We are given a set $X = {x_1,...,x_n}$, where $x_i = 2^i$. A sample $S subseteq X$ is drawn by selecting each $x_i$ independently with probability $p_i=frac{1}{2}$. The expected value of the smallest number in sample S is:
(A) $frac{1}{n}$
(B) $2$
(C) $sqrt{n}$
(D) $n$
My approach:
$X = {2^1,2^2,...,2^n}$
Smallest number in sample space is $2$ and probability of $2$ being selected is $frac{1}{2}$. So, I think answer should be $frac{1}{2}$ but it's not in the option.
probability
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
We are given a set $X = {x_1,...,x_n}$, where $x_i = 2^i$. A sample $S subseteq X$ is drawn by selecting each $x_i$ independently with probability $p_i=frac{1}{2}$. The expected value of the smallest number in sample S is:
(A) $frac{1}{n}$
(B) $2$
(C) $sqrt{n}$
(D) $n$
My approach:
$X = {2^1,2^2,...,2^n}$
Smallest number in sample space is $2$ and probability of $2$ being selected is $frac{1}{2}$. So, I think answer should be $frac{1}{2}$ but it's not in the option.
probability
$endgroup$
We are given a set $X = {x_1,...,x_n}$, where $x_i = 2^i$. A sample $S subseteq X$ is drawn by selecting each $x_i$ independently with probability $p_i=frac{1}{2}$. The expected value of the smallest number in sample S is:
(A) $frac{1}{n}$
(B) $2$
(C) $sqrt{n}$
(D) $n$
My approach:
$X = {2^1,2^2,...,2^n}$
Smallest number in sample space is $2$ and probability of $2$ being selected is $frac{1}{2}$. So, I think answer should be $frac{1}{2}$ but it's not in the option.
probability
probability
edited Dec 25 '18 at 10:59
Jneven
953322
953322
asked Feb 5 '15 at 21:28
AtineshAtinesh
4594822
4594822
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
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$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number in the sample is $2^n$ is $frac{1}{2^n}$ (The $n-1$ numbers
before $2^n$ must be non-selected and $2^n$ must be selected).
The expected value is $sum_{i=1}^n x_ip_i$, where $p_i$ is the probability for the value $x_i$.
Since every product is $1$ and we have $n$ of them, the expected value is $n$.
So, answer $D$ is correct.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I'm little bit confused. In question it is asked "Expected value of the smallest number in sample S" and you are calculating the probability of the smallest sample.
$endgroup$
– Atinesh
Feb 6 '15 at 10:05
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number is $2^{n-1}$ is still $frac{1}{2^{n}}$ the $n-2$ numbers before$ 2^{n-1}$ must be non selected and that $2^{n-1}$ and $2^{n}$ could be selected to create the sample giving you the probability $frac{1}{2^{n}}$. In which case the product is not going to be 1 always to get the final answer n. Am I mistaken?
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– Satish Ramanathan
Dec 25 '18 at 13:40
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If $2^{n-1}$ is selected, $2^n$ is not the smallest number in the sample. I edited the answer.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 25 '18 at 13:46
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
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votes
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number in the sample is $2^n$ is $frac{1}{2^n}$ (The $n-1$ numbers
before $2^n$ must be non-selected and $2^n$ must be selected).
The expected value is $sum_{i=1}^n x_ip_i$, where $p_i$ is the probability for the value $x_i$.
Since every product is $1$ and we have $n$ of them, the expected value is $n$.
So, answer $D$ is correct.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I'm little bit confused. In question it is asked "Expected value of the smallest number in sample S" and you are calculating the probability of the smallest sample.
$endgroup$
– Atinesh
Feb 6 '15 at 10:05
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number is $2^{n-1}$ is still $frac{1}{2^{n}}$ the $n-2$ numbers before$ 2^{n-1}$ must be non selected and that $2^{n-1}$ and $2^{n}$ could be selected to create the sample giving you the probability $frac{1}{2^{n}}$. In which case the product is not going to be 1 always to get the final answer n. Am I mistaken?
$endgroup$
– Satish Ramanathan
Dec 25 '18 at 13:40
$begingroup$
If $2^{n-1}$ is selected, $2^n$ is not the smallest number in the sample. I edited the answer.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 25 '18 at 13:46
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number in the sample is $2^n$ is $frac{1}{2^n}$ (The $n-1$ numbers
before $2^n$ must be non-selected and $2^n$ must be selected).
The expected value is $sum_{i=1}^n x_ip_i$, where $p_i$ is the probability for the value $x_i$.
Since every product is $1$ and we have $n$ of them, the expected value is $n$.
So, answer $D$ is correct.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
I'm little bit confused. In question it is asked "Expected value of the smallest number in sample S" and you are calculating the probability of the smallest sample.
$endgroup$
– Atinesh
Feb 6 '15 at 10:05
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number is $2^{n-1}$ is still $frac{1}{2^{n}}$ the $n-2$ numbers before$ 2^{n-1}$ must be non selected and that $2^{n-1}$ and $2^{n}$ could be selected to create the sample giving you the probability $frac{1}{2^{n}}$. In which case the product is not going to be 1 always to get the final answer n. Am I mistaken?
$endgroup$
– Satish Ramanathan
Dec 25 '18 at 13:40
$begingroup$
If $2^{n-1}$ is selected, $2^n$ is not the smallest number in the sample. I edited the answer.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 25 '18 at 13:46
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number in the sample is $2^n$ is $frac{1}{2^n}$ (The $n-1$ numbers
before $2^n$ must be non-selected and $2^n$ must be selected).
The expected value is $sum_{i=1}^n x_ip_i$, where $p_i$ is the probability for the value $x_i$.
Since every product is $1$ and we have $n$ of them, the expected value is $n$.
So, answer $D$ is correct.
$endgroup$
The probability that the smallest number in the sample is $2^n$ is $frac{1}{2^n}$ (The $n-1$ numbers
before $2^n$ must be non-selected and $2^n$ must be selected).
The expected value is $sum_{i=1}^n x_ip_i$, where $p_i$ is the probability for the value $x_i$.
Since every product is $1$ and we have $n$ of them, the expected value is $n$.
So, answer $D$ is correct.
edited Dec 25 '18 at 13:47
answered Feb 5 '15 at 21:36
PeterPeter
49.1k1240138
49.1k1240138
$begingroup$
I'm little bit confused. In question it is asked "Expected value of the smallest number in sample S" and you are calculating the probability of the smallest sample.
$endgroup$
– Atinesh
Feb 6 '15 at 10:05
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number is $2^{n-1}$ is still $frac{1}{2^{n}}$ the $n-2$ numbers before$ 2^{n-1}$ must be non selected and that $2^{n-1}$ and $2^{n}$ could be selected to create the sample giving you the probability $frac{1}{2^{n}}$. In which case the product is not going to be 1 always to get the final answer n. Am I mistaken?
$endgroup$
– Satish Ramanathan
Dec 25 '18 at 13:40
$begingroup$
If $2^{n-1}$ is selected, $2^n$ is not the smallest number in the sample. I edited the answer.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 25 '18 at 13:46
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I'm little bit confused. In question it is asked "Expected value of the smallest number in sample S" and you are calculating the probability of the smallest sample.
$endgroup$
– Atinesh
Feb 6 '15 at 10:05
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number is $2^{n-1}$ is still $frac{1}{2^{n}}$ the $n-2$ numbers before$ 2^{n-1}$ must be non selected and that $2^{n-1}$ and $2^{n}$ could be selected to create the sample giving you the probability $frac{1}{2^{n}}$. In which case the product is not going to be 1 always to get the final answer n. Am I mistaken?
$endgroup$
– Satish Ramanathan
Dec 25 '18 at 13:40
$begingroup$
If $2^{n-1}$ is selected, $2^n$ is not the smallest number in the sample. I edited the answer.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 25 '18 at 13:46
$begingroup$
I'm little bit confused. In question it is asked "Expected value of the smallest number in sample S" and you are calculating the probability of the smallest sample.
$endgroup$
– Atinesh
Feb 6 '15 at 10:05
$begingroup$
I'm little bit confused. In question it is asked "Expected value of the smallest number in sample S" and you are calculating the probability of the smallest sample.
$endgroup$
– Atinesh
Feb 6 '15 at 10:05
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number is $2^{n-1}$ is still $frac{1}{2^{n}}$ the $n-2$ numbers before$ 2^{n-1}$ must be non selected and that $2^{n-1}$ and $2^{n}$ could be selected to create the sample giving you the probability $frac{1}{2^{n}}$. In which case the product is not going to be 1 always to get the final answer n. Am I mistaken?
$endgroup$
– Satish Ramanathan
Dec 25 '18 at 13:40
$begingroup$
The probability that the smallest number is $2^{n-1}$ is still $frac{1}{2^{n}}$ the $n-2$ numbers before$ 2^{n-1}$ must be non selected and that $2^{n-1}$ and $2^{n}$ could be selected to create the sample giving you the probability $frac{1}{2^{n}}$. In which case the product is not going to be 1 always to get the final answer n. Am I mistaken?
$endgroup$
– Satish Ramanathan
Dec 25 '18 at 13:40
$begingroup$
If $2^{n-1}$ is selected, $2^n$ is not the smallest number in the sample. I edited the answer.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 25 '18 at 13:46
$begingroup$
If $2^{n-1}$ is selected, $2^n$ is not the smallest number in the sample. I edited the answer.
$endgroup$
– Peter
Dec 25 '18 at 13:46
add a comment |
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