Friday, 18 October 2013

probability - Proof that CDF is continuous for continuous random variables.



I have to show that,





For any continuous random variable X, the cumulative distribution function(CDF) F:R[0,1] is continuous.




My attempt



Assume F has a discontinuous point xR. Since CDF should be non-decreasing, i.e. monotone increasing, so it follows that f(x)<f(x+). Since CDF is right-continuous, f(x)=f(x+), thus X has point mass of size f(x+)f(x) at the point x. This contradicts the fact that P(X=x)=0 for any xR, because X : continuous random variable.



Is my proof OK?


Answer



If you are allowed to assume P(X=x)=0, you're proof is fine, but how would you proof P(X=x)=0? Actually you are trying to proof that the CDF has no jumps, and you use the fact that the CDF has no jumps.




I think it would be best to note that a random variable is continuous when it has a probability density function f, and we can write P(Xx)=xf(u)du. Continuity of the continuous random variable now follows directly from the fact the Riemann integrals are continuous.



If you want to proof that P(X=x)=0: $$P(X=x)=\lim_{\epsilon\to0^+}P(x-\epsilon where we use the continuity of the probability measure in the first equality.


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