# one-dimensional Brownian motion [closed]

Let ($W_t$) denote a standard one-dimensional Brownian motion with $W_0 = 0$, and let $M_t = \max W_s$ denote the running maximum process of $W$. Let $m_t = \min W_s$ denote the minimum of $W$ at time $t$.

Compute the expected range of $W: E(M_t − m_t)$

(Hint: use symmetry).

## closed as off-topic by Shalop, Saad, MAN-MADE, Wouter, MarkMay 21 '18 at 9:59

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$$-m_t = -\inf\limits_{0\leq s \leq t}W_s = \sup\limits_{0\leq s \leq t} (-W_s) \sim M_t \sim |W_t|$$ So, $$E(M_t - m_t) = 2E(|W_t|) =\sqrt{\frac{8t}{\pi}}$$
• One can easily show that $-W_s \sim W_s$. But more, $-W_s$ is again a Brownian motion. – James Yang May 8 '18 at 15:43
• $P(-W_s \leq x) = P(W_s \geq -x) = P(W_s \leq x)$, where the last equality follows from symmetry of normal distribution. – James Yang May 11 '18 at 4:12