Paper 2, Section I, F

Probability | Part IA, 2011

Let XX be a random variable taking non-negative integer values and let YY be a random variable taking real values.

(a) Define the probability-generating function GX(s)G_{X}(s). Calculate it explicitly for a Poisson random variable with mean λ>0\lambda>0.

(b) Define the moment-generating function MY(t)M_{Y}(t). Calculate it explicitly for a normal random variable N(0,1)\mathrm{N}(0,1).

(c) By considering a random sum of independent copies of YY, prove that, for general XX and Y,GX(MY(t))Y, G_{X}\left(M_{Y}(t)\right) is the moment-generating function of some random variable.

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