# Does $Z_n=\sum_{k=1}^{n}\sqrt{k}X_k$ satisfy the strong law of large numbers if $X_n…$

Does $Z_n=\sum_{k=1}^{n}\sqrt{k}X_k$ satisfy the strong law of large numbers if $X_n: \begin{matrix}-\frac{1}{n} & \frac{1}{n} \\ \frac{1}{2} & \frac{1}{2} \end{matrix}, n=1,2,...$ are independent random variables.

I have the following theorems, but I cannot prove this, I have tried all which I understand, the theorems I have are:

1.) Strong Law of large numbers states that the sequence $X_1,X_2,...$ must satisfy:

$$\frac{1}{n}\sum_{k=1}^{n}(X_k-EX_k)\to^{a.s.}0, n\to \infty$$

2.) Kolmogorov Law: If $(X_n)$ independent random variables, such that $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{\text{Var}(X_n)}{n^2}<\infty$, then the strong law of large numbers is satisfied.

3.)Borels: If $S_n:\mathcal B(n,p)$ (binomial distribution), then $$\frac{S_n}{n}\to^{a.s.}p, n \to \infty$$

or the consequence:

Let $X_n$, sequence of independent random variables, equally distributed, such that $EX_k=a$ and $\text{Var}X_k= \omega^2, k=1,2,3... \implies$

$$\frac{1}{n}\sum_{k=1}^{n}X_k\to^{a.s.}a, n\to \infty$$

• There's no denominator in $\sum\sqrt{k}X_k$? – Landon Carter Nov 11 '15 at 18:19
• thats right ... – Bozo Vulicevic Nov 11 '15 at 18:19

Consider the random variables $Y_n=\sqrt{n}X_n$. Then note $Y_n$ are independent, and $E(Y_n)=0$. Further note that $\sum_{n=1}^\infty Var(Y_n)=\infty$.

Now invoke Kolmogorov's Three Series Theorem. One of the converging series must be $\sum_nVar(Y_n^c)$ for every $c>0$ if $\sum_nY_n<\infty$ almost surely.

Here, $Y_n^c=Y_n$ if $|Y_n|\leq c$ and $0$ otherwise.

Note that $Y_n=\pm\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{n}}$ each with prob. $1/2$ so for any given $c$, there exists $N\in\mathbb N$ such that $|Y_n|\leq c$ for all $n\geq N$.

Hence for sufficiently large $n$ we must have $Y_n^c=Y_n$.

So $\sum_nVar(Y_n^c)\geq \sum_{n\geq N}Var(Y_n^c)=\sum_{n\geq N}Var(Y_n)=\infty$.

Hence almost sure convergence of $\sum_{n}\sqrt{n}X_n$ does not happen.

• I dont know this three series theorem that you say, Im not allowed to use theorems that we havent studied – Bozo Vulicevic Nov 11 '15 at 18:59
• What if you prove the theorem? ;) – Landon Carter Nov 11 '15 at 19:07
• But then I would have to state the theroem precisely and prove it using what is known til then, I guess, but how would one go about doing that? ;) – Bozo Vulicevic Nov 11 '15 at 19:43
• On a serious note, it is an important tool and I don't know why you haven't been taught it as yet, as it uses no more intricate concept. You can find the theorem and its proof here: math.nus.edu.sg/~matsr/ProbI/Lecture4.pdf . In any case, you don't need to prove the "entire" three series theorem. Just show that if for some $c>0$, $\sum_nVar(Y_n^c)=\infty$ then $\sum_nY_n$ does not converge almost surely. – Landon Carter Nov 12 '15 at 4:37