Given n independent random variables, X1,X2,...,Xn , each having a normal distribution, why is it that the following expectation holds?
E[(Xi−μ)(Xj−μ)]=0
where i≠j
I saw this statement in a proof explaining why we divide by n−1 when computing the sample variance and of course there was no explanation. An intuitive explanation and/or a link to more detailed information about why this is true would be greatly appreciated
Answer
Since the random variables are independent, E[(Xi−μ)(Xj−μ)]=E[Xi−μ]⋅E[Xj−μ]=(E[Xi]−μ)(E[Xj]−μ)=(μ−μ)(μ−μ)=0⋅0=0.
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