# 10.4: Problems on Functions of Random Variables

• Contributed by Paul Pfeiffer
• Professor emeritus (Computational and Applied Mathematics) at Rice University

Exercise $$\PageIndex{1}$$

Suppose $$X$$ is a nonnegative, absolutely continuous random variable. Let $$Z = g(X) = Ce^{-aX}$$, where $$a > 0$$, $$C > 0$$. Then $$0 < Z \le C$$. Use properties of the exponential and natural log function to show that

$$F_Z (v) = 1 - F_X (- \dfrac{\text{In } (v/C)}{a})$$ for $$0 < v \le C$$

$$Z = Ce^{-aX} \le v$$ iff $$e^{-aX} \le v/C$$ iff $$-aX \le \text{In } (v/C)$$ iff $$X \ge - \text{In } (v/C)/a$$, so that

$$F_Z(v) = P(Z \le v) = P(X \ge -\text{In } (v/C)/a) = 1 - F_X (-\dfrac{\text{In } (v/C)}{a})$$

Exercise $$\PageIndex{2}$$

Use the result of Exercise 10.4.1 to show that if $$X$$ ~ exponential $$(\lambda)$$, then

$$F_Z (v) = (\dfrac{v}{C})^{\lambda/a}$$ $$0 < v \le C$$

$$F_Z (v) = 1 - [1- exp (-\dfrac{\lambda}{a} \cdot \text{In } (v/C))] = (\dfrac{v}{C})^{\lambda/a}$$

Exercise $$\PageIndex{3}$$

Present value of future costs. Suppose money may be invested at an annual rate a, compounded continually. Then one dollar in hand now, has a value $$e^{ax}$$ at the end of $$x$$ years. Hence, one dollar spent $$x$$ years in the future has a present valuee$$^{-ax}$$. Suppose a device put into operation has time to failure (in years) $$X$$ ~ exponential ($$\lambda$$). If the cost of replacement at failure is $$C$$ dollars, then the present value of the replacement is $$Z = Ce^{-aX}$$. Suppose $$\lambda = 1/10$$, $$a = 0.07$$, and $$C =$$ $1000. 1. Use the result of Exercise 10.4.2. to determine the probability $$Z \le 700, 500, 200$$. 2. Use a discrete approximation for the exponential density to approximate the probabilities in part (a). Truncate $$X$$ at 1000 and use 10,000 approximation points. Answer $$P(Z \le v) = (\dfrac{v}{1000})^{10/7}$$ v = [700 500 200]; P = (v/1000).^(10/7) P = 0.6008 0.3715 0.1003 tappr Enter matrix [a b] of x-range endpoints [0 1000] Enter number of x approximation points 10000 Enter density as a function of t 0.1*exp(-t/10) Use row matrices X and PX as in the simple case G = 1000*exp(-0.07*t); PM1 = (G<=700)*PX' PM1 = 0.6005 PM2 = (G<=500)*PX' PM2 = 0.3716 PM3 = (G<=200)*PX' PM3 = 0.1003 Exercise $$\PageIndex{4}$$ Optimal stocking of merchandise. A merchant is planning for the Christmas season. He intends to stock m units of a certain item at a cost of c per unit. Experience indicates demand can be represented by a random variable $$D$$ ~ Poisson ($$\mu$$). If units remain in stock at the end of the season, they may be returned with recovery of $$r$$ per unit. If demand exceeds the number originally ordered, extra units may be ordered at a cost of s each. Units are sold at a price $$p$$ per unit. If $$Z = g(D)$$ is the gain from the sales, then • For $$t \le m$$, $$g(t) = (p - c) t- (c - r)(m - t) = (p - r)t + (r - c) m$$ • For $$t > m$$, $$g(t) = (p - c)m + (t - m) (p - s) = (p - s) t + (s - c)m$$ Let $$M = (-\infty, m]$$. Then $$g(t) = I_M(t) [(p - r) t + (r - c)m] + I_M(t) [(p - s) t + (s - c) m]$$ Suppose $$\mu = 50$$ $$m = 50$$ $$c = 30$$ $$p = 50$$ $$r = 20$$ $$s = 40$$. Approximate the Poisson random variable $$D$$ by truncating at 100. Determine $$P(500 \le Z \le 1100)$$. Answer mu = 50; D = 0:100; c = 30; p = 50; r = 20; s = 40; m = 50; PD = ipoisson(mu,D); G = (p - s)*D + (s - c)*m +(s - r)*(D - m).*(D <= m); M = (500<=G)&(G<=1100); PM = M*PD' PM = 0.9209 [Z,PZ] = csort(G,PD); % Alternate: use dbn for Z m = (500<=Z)&(Z<=1100); pm = m*PZ' pm = 0.9209  Exercise $$\PageIndex{5}$$ (See Example 2 from "Functions of a Random Variable") The cultural committee of a student organization has arranged a special deal for tickets to a concert. The agreement is that the organization will purchase ten tickets at$20 each (regardless of the number of individual buyers). Additional tickets are available according to the following schedule:

• 11-20, $18 each • 21-30,$16 each
• 31-50, $15 each • 51-100,$13 each

If the number of purchasers is a random variable $$X$$, the total cost (in dollars) is a random quantity $$Z = g(X)$$ described by

$$g(X) = 200 + 18 I_{M1} (X) (X - 10) + (16 - 18) I_{M2} (X) (X - 20) +$$

$$(15 - 16) I_{M_3} (X) (X - 30) + (13 - 15) I_{M4} (X) (X - 50)$$

where $$M1 = [10, \infty)$$, $$M2 = [20, \infty)$$, $$M3 = [30, \infty)$$, $$M4 = [50, \infty)$$

Suppose $$X$$~ Poisson (75). Approximate the Poisson distribution by truncating at 150. Determine $$P(Z \ge 1000)$$, $$P(Z \ge 1300)$$ and $$P(900 \le Z \le 1400)$$.

X = 0:150;
PX = ipoisson(75,X);
G = 200 + 18*(X - 10).*(X>=10) + (16 - 18)*(X - 20).*(X>=20) + ...
(15 - 16)*(X- 30).*(X>=30) + (13 - 15)*(X - 50).*(X>=50);
P1 = (G>=1000)*PX'
P1 =  0.9288
P2 = (G>=1300)*PX'
P2 =  0.1142
P3 = ((900<=G)&(G<=1400))*PX'
P3 =  0.9742
[Z,PZ] = csort(G,PX);         % Alternate: use dbn for Z
p1 = (Z>=1000)*PZ'
p1 =  0.9288

Exercise $$\PageIndex{6}$$

(See Exercise 6 from "Problems on Random Vectors and Joint Distributions", and Exercise 1 from "Problems on Independent Classes of Random Variables")) The pair $$\{X, Y\}$$ has the joint distribution

(in m-file npr08_06.m):

$$X =$$ [-2.3 -0.7 1.1 3.9 5.1] $$Y =$$ [1.3 2.5 4.1 5.3]

$$P = \begin{bmatrix} 0.0483 & 0.0357 & 0.0420 & 0.0399 & 0.0441 \\ 0.0437 & 0.0323 & 0.0380 & 0.0361 & 0.0399 \\ 0.0713 & 0.0527 & 0.0620 & 0.0609 & 0.0551 \\ 0.0667 & 0.0493 & 0.0580 & 0.0651 & 0.0589 \end{bmatrix}$$

Determine $$P(\text{max }\{X, Y\} \le 4)$$. Let $$Z = 3X^3 + 3X^2 Y - Y^3$$.

Determine $$P(Z< 0)$$ and $$P(-5 < Z \le 300)$$.

npr08_06
Data are in X, Y, P
jcalc
Enter JOINT PROBABILITIES (as on the plane)  P
Enter row matrix of VALUES of X  X
Enter row matrix of VALUES of Y  Y
Use array operations on matrices X, Y, PX, PY, t, u, and P
P1 = total((max(t,u)<=4).*P)
P1 =  0.4860
P2 = total((abs(t-u)>3).*P)
P2 =  0.4516
G = 3*t.^3 + 3*t.^2.*u - u.^3;
P3 = total((G<0).*P)
P3 =  0.5420
P4 = total(((-5<G)&(G<=300)).*P)
P4 =  0.3713
[Z,PZ] = csort(G,P);          % Alternate: use dbn for Z
p4 = ((-5<Z)&(Z<=300))*PZ'
p4 =  0.3713

Exercise $$\PageIndex{7}$$

(See Exercise 2 from "Problems on Independent Classes of Random Variables") The pair $$\{X, Y\}$$ has the joint distribution (in m-file npr09_02.m):

$$X =$$ [-3.9 -1.7 1.5 2 8 4.1] $$Y =$$ [-2 1 2.6 5.1]

$$P = \begin{bmatrix} 0.0589 & 0.0342 & 0.0304 & 0.0456 & 0.0209 \\ 0.0962 & 0.056 & 0.0498 & 0.0744 & 0.0341 \\ 0.0682 & 0.0398 & 0.0350 & 0.0528 & 0.0242 \\ 0.0868 & 0.0504 & 0.0448 & 0.0672 & 0.0308 \end{bmatrix}$$

Determine $$P(\{X + Y \ge 5\} \cup \{Y \le 2\})$$, $$P(X^2 + Y^2 \le 10)$$.

npr09_02
Data are in X, Y, P
jcalc
Enter JOINT PROBABILITIES (as on the plane)  P
Enter row matrix of VALUES of X  X
Enter row matrix of VALUES of Y  Y
Use array operations on matrices X, Y, PX, PY, t, u, and P
M1 = (t+u>=5)|(u<=2);
P1 = total(M1.*P)
P1 =  0.7054
M2 = t.^2 + u.^2 <= 10;
P2 = total(M2.*P)
P2 =  0.3282

Exercise $$\PageIndex{8}$$

(See Exercsie 7 from "Problems on Random Vectors and Joint Distributions", and Exercise 3 from "Problems on Independent Classes of Random Variables") The pair has the joint distribution

(in m-file npr08_07.m):

$$P(X = t, Y =u)$$
 t = -3.1 -0.5 1.2 2.4 3.7 4.9 u = 7.5 0.009 0.0396 0.0594 0.0216 0.044 0.0203 4.1 0.0495 0 0.1089 0.0528 0.0363 0.0231 -2.0 0.0405 0.132 0.0891 0.0324 0.0297 0.0189 -3.8 0.051 0.0484 0.0726 0.0132 0 0.0077

Determine $$P(X^2 - 3X \le 0)$$, $$P(X^3 - 3|Y| < 3)$$.

npr08_07
Data are in X, Y, P
jcalc
Enter JOINT PROBABILITIES (as on the plane)  P
Enter row matrix of VALUES of X  X
Enter row matrix of VALUES of Y  Y
Use array operations on matrices X, Y, PX, PY, t, u, and P
M1 = t.^2 - 3*t <=0;
P1 = total(M1.*P)
P1 =  0.4500
M2 = t.^3 - 3*abs(u) < 3;
P2 = total(M2.*P)
P2 =  0.7876

Exercise $$\PageIndex{9}$$

For the pair $$\{X, Y\}$$ in Exercise 10.4.8, let $$Z = g(X, Y) = 3X^2 + 2XY - Y^2$$. Determine and plot the distribution function for $$Z$$.

G = 3*t.^2 + 2*t.*u - u.^2;  % Determine g(X,Y)
[Z,PZ] = csort(G,P);         % Obtain dbn for Z = g(X,Y)
ddbn                         % Call for plotting m-procedure
Enter row matrix of VALUES  Z
Enter row matrix of PROBABILITIES  PZ   % Plot not reproduced here

Exercise $$\PageIndex{10}$$

For the pair $$\{X, Y\}$$ in Exercise 8, let

$$W = g(X, Y) = \begin{cases} X & \text{for } X + Y \le 4 \\ 2Y & \text{for } X + Y > 4 \end{cases} = I_M (X, Y) X + I_{M^c} (X, Y) 2Y$$

Determine and plot the distribution function for $$W$$.

H = t.*(t+u<=4) + 2*u.*(t+u>4);
[W,PW] = csort(H,P);
ddbn
Enter row matrix of VALUES  W
Enter row matrix of PROBABILITIES  PW   % Plot not reproduced here

For the distributions in Exercises 10-15 below

1. Determine analytically the indicated probabilities.
2. Use a discrete approximation to calculate the same probablities.'

Exercise $$\PageIndex{11}$$

$$f_{XY} (t, u) = \dfrac{3}{88} (2t + 3u^2)$$ for $$0 \le t \le 2$$, $$0 \le u \le 1+ t$$ (see Exercise 15 from "Problems on Random Vectors and Joint Distributions").

$$Z = I_{[0, 1]} (X) 4X + I_{(1, 2]} (X) (X + Y)$$

Determine $$P(Z \le 2)$$

$$P(Z \le 2) = P(Z \in Q = Q1M1 \bigvee Q2M2)$$, where $$M1 = \{(t, u): 0 \le t \le 1, 0 \le u \le 1 + t\}$$

$$M2 = \{(t, u) : 1 < t \le 2, 0 \le u \le 1 + t\}$$

$$Q1 = \{(t, u) : 0 \le t \le 1/2\}$$, $$Q2 = \{(t, u) : u \le 2 - t\}$$ (see figure)

$$P = \dfrac{3}{88} \int_{0}^{1/2} \int_{0}^{1 + t} (2t + 3u^2) du\ dt + \dfrac{3}{88} \int_{1}^{2} \int_{0}^{2 - t} (2t + 3u^2) du\ dt = \dfrac{563}{5632}$$

tuappr
Enter matrix [a b] of X-range endpoints  [0 2]
Enter matrix [c d] of Y-range endpoints  [0 3]
Enter number of X approximation points  200
Enter number of Y approximation points  300
Enter expression for joint density  (3/88)*(2*t + 3*u.^2).*(u<=1+t)
Use array operations on X, Y, PX, PY, t, u, and P
G = 4*t.*(t<=1) + (t+u).*(t>1);
[Z,PZ] = csort(G,P);
PZ2 = (Z<=2)*PZ'
PZ2 =  0.1010                       % Theoretical = 563/5632 = 0.1000
Figure 10.4.1

Exercise $$\PageIndex{12}$$

$$f_{XY} (t, u) = \dfrac{24}{11}$$ for $$0 \le t \le 2$$, $$0 \le u \le \text{min } \{1, 2 - t\}$$(see Exercise 17 from "Problems on Random Vectors and Joint Distributions").

$$Z = I_M(X, Y) \dfrac{1}{2} X + I_{M^c} (X, Y) Y^2$$, $$M = \{(t, u) : u > t\}$$

Determine $$P (Z \le 1/4)$$.

$$P(Z \le 1/4) = P((X, Y) \in M_1Q_1 \bigvee M_2Q_2)$$, $$M_1 = \{(t, u): 0 \le t \le u \le 1\}$$

$$M_2 = \{(t, u) : 0 \le t \le 2, 0 \le t \le \text{min } (t, 2 - t)\}$$

$$Q_1 = \{(t, u): t \le 1/2\}$$ $$Q_2 = \{(t, u): u \le 1/2\}$$ (see figure)

$$P = \dfrac{24}{11} \int_{0}^{1/2} \int_{0}^{1} tu \ du\ dt + \dfrac{24}{11} \int_{1/2}^{3/2} \int_{0}^{1/2} tu\ du\ dt + \dfrac{24}{11} \int_{3/2}^{2} \int_{0}^{2 - t} tu\ du\ dt = \dfrac{85}{176}$$

tuappr
Enter matrix [a b] of X-range endpoints  [0 2]
Enter matrix [c d] of Y-range endpoints  [0 1]
Enter number of X approximation points  400
Enter number of Y approximation points  200
Enter expression for joint density  (24/11)*t.*u.*(u<=min(1,2-t))
Use array operations on X, Y, PX, PY, t, u, and P
G = 0.5*t.*(u>t) + u.^2.*(u<t);
[Z,PZ] = csort(G,P);
pp = (Z<=1/4)*PZ'
pp =  0.4844                        % Theoretical = 85/176 = 0.4830

Exercise $$\PageIndex{13}$$

$$f_{XY} (t, u) = \dfrac{3}{23} (t + 2u)$$ for $$0 \le t \le 2$$, $$0 \le u \le \text{max } \{2 - t, t\}$$ (see Exercise 18 from "Problems on Random Vectors and Joint Distributions").

$$Z = I_M (X, Y) (X + Y) + I_{M^c} (X, Y)2Y$$, $$M = \{(t, u): \text{max } (t, u) \le 1\}$$

Determine $$P(Z \le 1)$$

$$P(Z \le 1) = P((X, Y) \in M_1Q_1 \bigvee M_2Q_2)$$, $$M_1 = \{(t, u): 0 \le t \le 1, 0 \le u \le 1 - t\}$$

$$M_2 = \{(t, u) : 1 \le t \le 2, 0 \le u \le t\}$$

$$Q_1 = \{(t, u): u \le 1 - t\}$$ $$Q_2 = \{(t, u): u \le 1/2\}$$ (see figure)

$$P = \dfrac{3}{23} \int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{1-t} (t + 2u) \ du\ dt + \dfrac{3}{23} \int_{1}^{2} \int_{0}^{1/2} (t + 2u)\ du\ dt = \dfrac{9}{46}$$

tuappr
Enter matrix [a b] of X-range endpoints  [0 2]
Enter matrix [c d] of Y-range endpoints  [0 2]
Enter number of X approximation points  300
Enter number of Y approximation points  300
Enter expression for joint density  (3/23)*(t + 2*u).*(u<=max(2-t,t))
Use array operations on X, Y, PX, PY, t, u, and P
M = max(t,u) <= 1;
G = M.*(t + u) + (1 - M)*2.*u;
p = total((G<=1).*P)
p =  0.1960                         % Theoretical = 9/46 = 0.1957
Figure 10.4.2

Exercise $$\PageIndex{14}$$

$$f_{XY} (t, u) = \dfrac{12}{179} (3t^2 + u)$$, for $$0 \le t \le 2$$, $$0 \le u \le \text{min } \{2, 3 - t\}$$ (see Exercise 19 from "Problems on Random Vectors and Joint Distributions").

$$Z = I_M (X, Y) (X + Y) + I_{M^c} (X, Y) 2Y^2$$, $$M = \{(t, u): t \le 1, u \ge 1\}$$

Determine $$P(Z \le 2)$$.

$$P(Z \le 2) = P((X, Y) \in M_1 Q_1 \bigvee (M_2 \bigvee M_3) Q_2)$$, $$M_1 = \{(t, u): 0 \le t \le 1, 1 \le u \le 2\}$$

$$M_2 = \{(t, u) : 0 \le t \le 1, 0 \le u \le 1\}$$ $$M_3 = \{(t, u): 1 \le t \le 2, 0 \le u \le 3 - t\}$$

$$Q_1 = \{(t, u): u \le 1 - t\}$$ $$Q_2 = \{(t, u) : u \le 1/2\}$$ (see figure)

$$P = \dfrac{12}{179} \int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{2 - t} (3t^2 + u) du\ dt + \dfrac{12}{179} \int_{1}^{2} \int_{0}^{1} (3t^2 + u) du\ dt = \dfrac{119}{179}$$

tuappr
Enter matrix [a b] of X-range endpoints  [0 2]
Enter matrix [c d] of Y-range endpoints  [0 2]
Enter number of X approximation points  300
Enter number of Y approximation points  300
Enter expression for joint density  (12/179)*(3*t.^2 + u).*(u<=min(2,3-t))
Use array operations on X, Y, PX, PY, t, u, and P
M = (t<=1)&(u>=1);
Z = M.*(t + u) + (1 - M)*2.*u.^2;
G = M.*(t + u) + (1 - M)*2.*u.^2;
p = total((G<=2).*P)
p =  0.6662                          % Theoretical = 119/179 = 0.6648

Exercise $$\PageIndex{15}$$

$$f_{XY} (t, u) = \dfrac{12}{227} (3t + 2tu)$$, for $$0 \le t \le 2$$, $$0 \le u \le \text{min } \{1 + t, 2\}$$ (see Exercise 20 from "Problems on Random Variables and joint Distributions")

$$Z = I_M (X, Y) X + I_{M^c} (X, Y) \dfrac{Y}{X}$$, $$M = \{(t, u): u \le \text{min } (1, 2 - t)\}$$

Determine $$P(Z \le 1)$$.

Figure 10.4.3

$$P(Z \le 1) = P((X, Y) \in M_1 Q_1 \bigvee V_2Q_2)$$, $$M_1 = M$$, $$M_2 = M^c$$

$$Q_1 = \{(t, u): 0 \le t \le \}$$ $$Q_2 = \{(t, u) : u \le t\}$$ (see figure)

$$P = \dfrac{12}{227} \int_{0}^{1} \int_{0}^{1} (3t + 2tu) du\ dt + \dfrac{12}{227} \int_{1}^{2} \int_{2 - t}^{t} (3t + 2tu) du\ dt = \dfrac{124}{227}$$

tuappr
Enter matrix [a b] of X-range endpoints  [0 2]
Enter matrix [c d] of Y-range endpoints  [0 2]
Enter number of X approximation points  400
Enter number of Y approximation points  400
Enter expression for joint density  (12/227)*(3*t+2*t.*u).*(u<=min(1+t,2))
Use array operations on X, Y, PX, PY, t, u, and P
Q = (u<=1).*(t<=1) + (t>1).*(u>=2-t).*(u<=t);
P = total(Q.*P)
P =  0.5478                        % Theoretical = 124/227 = 0.5463

Exercise $$\PageIndex{16}$$

The class $$\{X, Y, Z\}$$ is independent.

$$X = -2 I_A + I_B + 3I_C$$. Minterm probabilities are (in the usual order)

0.255 0.025 0.375 0.045 0.108 0.012 0.162 0.018

$$Y = I_D + 3I_E + I_F - 3$$. The class $$\{D, E, F\}$$ is independent with

$$P(D) = 0.32$$ $$P(E) = 0.56$$ $$P(F) = 0.40$$

$$Z$$ has distribution

 Value -1.3 1.2 2.7 3.4 5.8 Probability 0.12 0.24 0.43 0.13 0.08

Determine $$P(X^2 + 3XY^2 >3Z)$$.

% file npr10_16.m  Data for Exercise 16.
cx = [-2 1 3 0];
pmx = 0.001*[255  25 375  45 108  12 162  18];
cy = [1 3 1 -3];
pmy = minprob(0.01*[32 56 40]);
Z = [-1.3 1.2 2.7 3.4 5.8];
PZ = 0.01*[12 24 43 13  8];
disp('Data are in cx, pmx, cy, pmy, Z, PZ')
npr10_16                % Call for data
Data are in cx, pmx, cy, pmy, Z, PZ
[X,PX] = canonicf(cx,pmx);
[Y,PY] = canonicf(cy,pmy);
icalc3
Enter row matrix of X-values  X
Enter row matrix of Y-values  Y
Enter row matrix of Z-values  Z
Enter X probabilities  PX
Enter Y probabilities  PY
Enter Z probabilities  PZ
Use array operations on matrices X, Y, Z,
PX, PY, PZ, t, u, v, and P
M = t.^2 + 3*t.*u.^2 > 3*v;
PM = total(M.*P)
PM =  0.3587

Exercise $$\PageIndex{17}$$

The simple random variable X has distribution

$$X =$$ [-3.1 -0.5 1.2 2.4 3.7 4.9] $$PX =$$ [0.15 0.22 0.33 0.12 0.11 0.07]
1. Plot the distribution function $$F_X$$ and the quantile function $$Q_X$$.
2. Take a random sample of size $$n =$$ 10,000. Compare the relative frequency for each value with the probability that value is taken on.
X = [-3.1 -0.5 1.2 2.4 3.7 4.9];
PX = 0.01*[15 22 33 12 11  7];
ddbn
Enter row matrix of VALUES  X
Enter row matrix of PROBABILITIES  PX  % Plot not reproduced here
dquanplot
Enter VALUES for X  X
Enter PROBABILITIES for X  PX          % Plot not reproduced here
rand('seed',0)                      % Reset random number generator
dsample                             % for comparison purposes
Enter row matrix of VALUES  X
Enter row matrix of PROBABILITIES  PX
Sample size n  10000
Value      Prob    Rel freq
-3.1000    0.1500    0.1490
-0.5000    0.2200    0.2164
1.2000    0.3300    0.3340
2.4000    0.1200    0.1184
3.7000    0.1100    0.1070
4.9000    0.0700    0.0752
Sample average ex = 0.8792
Population mean E[X] = 0.859
Sample variance vx = 5.146
Population variance Var[X] = 5.112