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Problem

$X$ and $Y$ random variables, the common probability density function of $X$ and $Y$ is given as follows: $$f(x,y)= \begin{cases} ke^{-x-y},&\textrm{when } x\geqslant y\geqslant 0\\ 0\;,&\textrm{otherwise } \end{cases} $$

a) Find the constant $k$


Proposed Solution

$$\int_{y=0}^{\infty}\int_{x=0}^{\infty} ke^{-x-y} dxdy = 1$$


Is any of my work correct? Any feedback is much appreciated, and if you think I should add more details to my calculations, please point it out and I will edit my work accordingly.

Thank you for your time.

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    $\begingroup$ Is the support of the joint distribution $ 0 \leq y \leq x$? In such case $(X, Y)$ cannot be independent as the support is not rectangular. Also then the integration limit in part a) is incorrect. $\endgroup$
    – BGM
    Jun 6, 2020 at 16:09
  • $\begingroup$ @BGM Im totally agreed with you, they can't be independent because the condition not occurred, in part a) if the limit is incorrect what it should be then? $\endgroup$ Jun 6, 2020 at 16:47
  • $\begingroup$ The equation is $ \int_0^{\infty} \int_y^{\infty} k\cdot e^{-x-y} \, dx \, dy=1$ $\endgroup$ Jun 6, 2020 at 16:48
  • $\begingroup$ @callculus if so, how it could be solved bro? could you help please or the result will be the same equal to 1, if so please clarify the steps it will be much appreciated. $\endgroup$ Jun 6, 2020 at 16:51
  • $\begingroup$ You firstly solve the inner integral $\int_y^{\infty} k\cdot e^{-x-y} \, dx $. Btw, the constant k and $e^{-y}$ can be factored out. $\endgroup$ Jun 6, 2020 at 16:51

2 Answers 2

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a) $\int_0^{\infty} \int_y^{\infty} k\cdot e^{-x-y} \, dx \, dy$

inner integral: $\int_y^{\infty} k\cdot e^{-x-y} \, dx=k\cdot e^{-y}\int_y^{\infty} e^{-x} \, dx$

$$=k\cdot e^{-y}\cdot \left(-e^{-x}\bigg|_y^{\infty}\right)=k\cdot e^{-y}\cdot(-0-(-e^{-y}))=k\cdot e^{-2y}$$

Now the outer integral: $\int_0^{\infty} k\cdot e^{-2y} \, dy=k\cdot \int_0^{\infty} e^{-2y} \, dy$

$$=k\cdot \left(-\frac12 \cdot e^{-2y}\bigg|_0^{\infty}\right)=k\cdot(-0-(-\frac12))=\frac{k}2=1$$

$\Rightarrow k=...$

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  • $\begingroup$ I need the other parts also please $\endgroup$ Jun 10, 2020 at 3:49
  • $\begingroup$ @MohammedLubbad I think you have posted the other part here, right? It´s all ok now? $\endgroup$ Jul 11, 2020 at 17:39
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Reprising this post

After understanding that $k=2$, your joint density is the following

$$f_{XY}(x,y)=2e^{-x}e^{-y}\mathbb{1}_{[0;+\infty)}(x)\mathbb{1}_{[0;x]}(y)$$

or equivalently

$$f_{XY}(x,y)=2e^{-x}e^{-y}\mathbb{1}_{[0;+\infty)}(y)\mathbb{1}_{[y;+\infty)}(x)$$

now to get the marginals you have only to integrate the opposite variable "copying" the integral extremes in the $f(x,y)$ formula

Thus

$$f_X(x)=\int_0^x [2e^{-x}e^{-y} ]dy=2e^{-x}(1-e^{-x})\mathbb{1}_{[0;+\infty)}(x)$$

$$f_y(y)=\int_y^{+\infty} [2e^{-x}e^{-y} ]dx=2e^{-2y}\mathbb{1}_{[0;+\infty)}(y)$$

$Y\sim Exp(2)$

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