Expected value for bit strings using indicator random variables?
$begingroup$
So the problem states that let n>=2 be an integer, Consider a bitstring $b_1$; $b_2$;...;$b_n$ of length n, in which each bit $b_i$ is 0 with probability 1/2, and 1 with probability 1/2 (independent of all other bits).
Define the random variable X to be the number of indices i with 1<=i< n for which $b_i$$b_{i+1}$ = 0.
What is the expected value E(X) of the random variable X? [Use indicator random variables] The answer for this is ${3(n-1)over4}$
My first shot at this!
I am particularly confused on how to properly use the indicator functions/variables. For this question, I'm assuming it should be P(X=1) = 1/2 for the indicator variable.
There's also this constraint of bi*bi+1 = 0, so I'm assuming one of bi or bi+1 has to be 0. I'm not sure exactly how to properly assess the data given in the problem and apply the Expected value formula. It would be greatly appreciated if somebody could help me break down this problem so I have a better understanding :)
probability probability-theory random-variables expected-value
asked Nov 27 '18 at 3:52
Ashley McHaleAshley McHale
63
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
So the problem states that let n>=2 be an integer, Consider a bitstring $b_1$; $b_2$;...;$b_n$ of length n, in which each bit $b_i$ is 0 with probability 1/2, and 1 with probability 1/2 (independent of all other bits).
Define the random variable X to be the number of indices i with 1<=i< n for which $b_i$$b_{i+1}$ = 0.
What is the expected value E(X) of the random variable X? [Use indicator random variables] The answer for this is ${3(n-1)over4}$
My first shot at this!
I am particularly confused on how to properly use the indicator functions/variables. For this question, I'm assuming it should be P(X=1) = 1/2 for the indicator variable.
There's also this constraint of bi*bi+1 = 0, so I'm assuming one of bi or bi+1 has to be 0. I'm not sure exactly how to properly assess the data given in the problem and apply the Expected value formula. It would be greatly appreciated if somebody could help me break down this problem so I have a better understanding :)
probability probability-theory random-variables expected-value
asked Nov 27 '18 at 3:52
Ashley McHaleAshley McHale
63
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
mathjax guide. For starter, surround mathematical object with dollar signs.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:00
$begingroup$
oh thank you for this :) I was wondering how to edit the mathematical notations.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:02
$begingroup$
How could $(b_itimes b_i)+1=0$ if $b_i$ takes on the values ${0,,1}$?
$endgroup$
– BlackMath
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Hey, that's my bad. I had an editing error! Stilll getting used to this
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:25
add a comment |
$begingroup$
So the problem states that let n>=2 be an integer, Consider a bitstring $b_1$; $b_2$;...;$b_n$ of length n, in which each bit $b_i$ is 0 with probability 1/2, and 1 with probability 1/2 (independent of all other bits).
Define the random variable X to be the number of indices i with 1<=i< n for which $b_i$$b_{i+1}$ = 0.
What is the expected value E(X) of the random variable X? [Use indicator random variables] The answer for this is ${3(n-1)over4}$
My first shot at this!
I am particularly confused on how to properly use the indicator functions/variables. For this question, I'm assuming it should be P(X=1) = 1/2 for the indicator variable.
There's also this constraint of bi*bi+1 = 0, so I'm assuming one of bi or bi+1 has to be 0. I'm not sure exactly how to properly assess the data given in the problem and apply the Expected value formula. It would be greatly appreciated if somebody could help me break down this problem so I have a better understanding :)
probability probability-theory random-variables expected-value
asked Nov 27 '18 at 3:52
Ashley McHaleAshley McHale
63
$endgroup$
So the problem states that let n>=2 be an integer, Consider a bitstring $b_1$; $b_2$;...;$b_n$ of length n, in which each bit $b_i$ is 0 with probability 1/2, and 1 with probability 1/2 (independent of all other bits).
Define the random variable X to be the number of indices i with 1<=i< n for which $b_i$$b_{i+1}$ = 0.
What is the expected value E(X) of the random variable X? [Use indicator random variables] The answer for this is ${3(n-1)over4}$
My first shot at this!
I am particularly confused on how to properly use the indicator functions/variables. For this question, I'm assuming it should be P(X=1) = 1/2 for the indicator variable.
There's also this constraint of bi*bi+1 = 0, so I'm assuming one of bi or bi+1 has to be 0. I'm not sure exactly how to properly assess the data given in the problem and apply the Expected value formula. It would be greatly appreciated if somebody could help me break down this problem so I have a better understanding :)
probability probability-theory random-variables expected-value
probability probability-theory random-variables expected-value
asked Nov 27 '18 at 3:52
Ashley McHaleAshley McHale
63
asked Nov 27 '18 at 3:52
Ashley McHaleAshley McHale
63
edited Nov 27 '18 at 4:24
Ashley McHale
asked Nov 27 '18 at 3:52
Ashley McHaleAshley McHale
63
asked Nov 27 '18 at 3:52
Ashley McHaleAshley McHale
63
asked Nov 27 '18 at 3:52
Ashley McHaleAshley McHale
63
63
$begingroup$
mathjax guide. For starter, surround mathematical object with dollar signs.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:00
$begingroup$
oh thank you for this :) I was wondering how to edit the mathematical notations.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:02
$begingroup$
How could $(b_itimes b_i)+1=0$ if $b_i$ takes on the values ${0,,1}$?
$endgroup$
– BlackMath
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Hey, that's my bad. I had an editing error! Stilll getting used to this
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:25
add a comment |
$begingroup$
mathjax guide. For starter, surround mathematical object with dollar signs.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:00
$begingroup$
oh thank you for this :) I was wondering how to edit the mathematical notations.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:02
$begingroup$
How could $(b_itimes b_i)+1=0$ if $b_i$ takes on the values ${0,,1}$?
$endgroup$
– BlackMath
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Hey, that's my bad. I had an editing error! Stilll getting used to this
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:25
$begingroup$
mathjax guide. For starter, surround mathematical object with dollar signs.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:00
$begingroup$
mathjax guide. For starter, surround mathematical object with dollar signs.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:00
$begingroup$
oh thank you for this :) I was wondering how to edit the mathematical notations.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:02
$begingroup$
oh thank you for this :) I was wondering how to edit the mathematical notations.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:02
$begingroup$
How could $(b_itimes b_i)+1=0$ if $b_i$ takes on the values ${0,,1}$?
$endgroup$
– BlackMath
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
How could $(b_itimes b_i)+1=0$ if $b_i$ takes on the values ${0,,1}$?
$endgroup$
– BlackMath
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Hey, that's my bad. I had an editing error! Stilll getting used to this
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:25
$begingroup$
Hey, that's my bad. I had an editing error! Stilll getting used to this
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:25
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Let $$X_i = begin{cases} 1 &, text{ if } b_ib_{i+1}=0 \0 &, text{ if }b_ib_{i+1} =1 & end{cases}$$
where $i in {1, ldots, n-1}$.
We have $E[X_i] = frac34$ since I just need one of the bit to be $0$.
Hence $E[X] =E[sum_{i=1}^{n-1} X_i]= frac34(n-1)$.
answered Nov 27 '18 at 3:57
Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
100k1466117
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
If you don't mind clarifying, how do you determine the X values of 0 and 1 for bi*bi+1? Also, how is the expected value calculated to be 3/4?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:05
$begingroup$
I let the event of interest be $1$. That is when $b_ib_{i+1}=0$. $frac34$ is the probability that $b_i=0$ or $b_{i+1}=0$. It can be either computed by inclusion exclusion or we can just subtract the complement.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:14
$begingroup$
Alright, and why are your bounds starting from n-1?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:21
$begingroup$
hmmm... i don't understand the previous doubt
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Sorry, your summation for the expected value starts from i=1 to n-1. I was just wondering where the n-1 came from? Also, I am still not able to find the probability to be 3/4 for some reason.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:26
|
show 1 more comment
Your Answer
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1 Answer
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$begingroup$
Let $$X_i = begin{cases} 1 &, text{ if } b_ib_{i+1}=0 \0 &, text{ if }b_ib_{i+1} =1 & end{cases}$$
where $i in {1, ldots, n-1}$.
We have $E[X_i] = frac34$ since I just need one of the bit to be $0$.
Hence $E[X] =E[sum_{i=1}^{n-1} X_i]= frac34(n-1)$.
answered Nov 27 '18 at 3:57
Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
100k1466117
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
If you don't mind clarifying, how do you determine the X values of 0 and 1 for bi*bi+1? Also, how is the expected value calculated to be 3/4?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:05
$begingroup$
I let the event of interest be $1$. That is when $b_ib_{i+1}=0$. $frac34$ is the probability that $b_i=0$ or $b_{i+1}=0$. It can be either computed by inclusion exclusion or we can just subtract the complement.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:14
$begingroup$
Alright, and why are your bounds starting from n-1?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:21
$begingroup$
hmmm... i don't understand the previous doubt
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Sorry, your summation for the expected value starts from i=1 to n-1. I was just wondering where the n-1 came from? Also, I am still not able to find the probability to be 3/4 for some reason.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:26
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Let $$X_i = begin{cases} 1 &, text{ if } b_ib_{i+1}=0 \0 &, text{ if }b_ib_{i+1} =1 & end{cases}$$
where $i in {1, ldots, n-1}$.
We have $E[X_i] = frac34$ since I just need one of the bit to be $0$.
Hence $E[X] =E[sum_{i=1}^{n-1} X_i]= frac34(n-1)$.
answered Nov 27 '18 at 3:57
Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
100k1466117
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
If you don't mind clarifying, how do you determine the X values of 0 and 1 for bi*bi+1? Also, how is the expected value calculated to be 3/4?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:05
$begingroup$
I let the event of interest be $1$. That is when $b_ib_{i+1}=0$. $frac34$ is the probability that $b_i=0$ or $b_{i+1}=0$. It can be either computed by inclusion exclusion or we can just subtract the complement.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:14
$begingroup$
Alright, and why are your bounds starting from n-1?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:21
$begingroup$
hmmm... i don't understand the previous doubt
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Sorry, your summation for the expected value starts from i=1 to n-1. I was just wondering where the n-1 came from? Also, I am still not able to find the probability to be 3/4 for some reason.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:26
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
Let $$X_i = begin{cases} 1 &, text{ if } b_ib_{i+1}=0 \0 &, text{ if }b_ib_{i+1} =1 & end{cases}$$
where $i in {1, ldots, n-1}$.
We have $E[X_i] = frac34$ since I just need one of the bit to be $0$.
Hence $E[X] =E[sum_{i=1}^{n-1} X_i]= frac34(n-1)$.
answered Nov 27 '18 at 3:57
Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
100k1466117
$endgroup$
Let $$X_i = begin{cases} 1 &, text{ if } b_ib_{i+1}=0 \0 &, text{ if }b_ib_{i+1} =1 & end{cases}$$
where $i in {1, ldots, n-1}$.
We have $E[X_i] = frac34$ since I just need one of the bit to be $0$.
Hence $E[X] =E[sum_{i=1}^{n-1} X_i]= frac34(n-1)$.
answered Nov 27 '18 at 3:57
Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
100k1466117
answered Nov 27 '18 at 3:57
Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
100k1466117
answered Nov 27 '18 at 3:57
Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
100k1466117
answered Nov 27 '18 at 3:57
Siong Thye GohSiong Thye Goh
100k1466117
100k1466117
$begingroup$
If you don't mind clarifying, how do you determine the X values of 0 and 1 for bi*bi+1? Also, how is the expected value calculated to be 3/4?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:05
$begingroup$
I let the event of interest be $1$. That is when $b_ib_{i+1}=0$. $frac34$ is the probability that $b_i=0$ or $b_{i+1}=0$. It can be either computed by inclusion exclusion or we can just subtract the complement.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:14
$begingroup$
Alright, and why are your bounds starting from n-1?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:21
$begingroup$
hmmm... i don't understand the previous doubt
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Sorry, your summation for the expected value starts from i=1 to n-1. I was just wondering where the n-1 came from? Also, I am still not able to find the probability to be 3/4 for some reason.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:26
|
show 1 more comment
$begingroup$
If you don't mind clarifying, how do you determine the X values of 0 and 1 for bi*bi+1? Also, how is the expected value calculated to be 3/4?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:05
$begingroup$
I let the event of interest be $1$. That is when $b_ib_{i+1}=0$. $frac34$ is the probability that $b_i=0$ or $b_{i+1}=0$. It can be either computed by inclusion exclusion or we can just subtract the complement.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:14
$begingroup$
Alright, and why are your bounds starting from n-1?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:21
$begingroup$
hmmm... i don't understand the previous doubt
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Sorry, your summation for the expected value starts from i=1 to n-1. I was just wondering where the n-1 came from? Also, I am still not able to find the probability to be 3/4 for some reason.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:26
$begingroup$
If you don't mind clarifying, how do you determine the X values of 0 and 1 for bi*bi+1? Also, how is the expected value calculated to be 3/4?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:05
$begingroup$
If you don't mind clarifying, how do you determine the X values of 0 and 1 for bi*bi+1? Also, how is the expected value calculated to be 3/4?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:05
$begingroup$
I let the event of interest be $1$. That is when $b_ib_{i+1}=0$. $frac34$ is the probability that $b_i=0$ or $b_{i+1}=0$. It can be either computed by inclusion exclusion or we can just subtract the complement.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:14
$begingroup$
I let the event of interest be $1$. That is when $b_ib_{i+1}=0$. $frac34$ is the probability that $b_i=0$ or $b_{i+1}=0$. It can be either computed by inclusion exclusion or we can just subtract the complement.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:14
$begingroup$
Alright, and why are your bounds starting from n-1?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:21
$begingroup$
Alright, and why are your bounds starting from n-1?
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:21
$begingroup$
hmmm... i don't understand the previous doubt
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
hmmm... i don't understand the previous doubt
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Sorry, your summation for the expected value starts from i=1 to n-1. I was just wondering where the n-1 came from? Also, I am still not able to find the probability to be 3/4 for some reason.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:26
$begingroup$
Sorry, your summation for the expected value starts from i=1 to n-1. I was just wondering where the n-1 came from? Also, I am still not able to find the probability to be 3/4 for some reason.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:26
|
show 1 more comment
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$begingroup$
mathjax guide. For starter, surround mathematical object with dollar signs.
$endgroup$
– Siong Thye Goh
Nov 27 '18 at 4:00
$begingroup$
oh thank you for this :) I was wondering how to edit the mathematical notations.
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:02
$begingroup$
How could $(b_itimes b_i)+1=0$ if $b_i$ takes on the values ${0,,1}$?
$endgroup$
– BlackMath
Nov 27 '18 at 4:22
$begingroup$
Hey, that's my bad. I had an editing error! Stilll getting used to this
$endgroup$
– Ashley McHale
Nov 27 '18 at 4:25