Question
The random variables and have joint density function . (1) Find the distribution of ; (2) Find the distribution of .
Step-by-step solution
We first determine the support of the random vector , i.e., the region where the joint density is positive. Since , positivity requires . To ensure the density integrates to 1 over the entire plane, we determine the range of . The support is . Verification: Computing the inner integral: Substituting into the outer integral: The integral equals 1, so the support of is . (1) Find the distribution of . Using the CDF method. Since , we have . For , . For , the CDF is: Expressing the integration region as : Computing the inner integral with respect to : Substituting into the outer integral: This is the CDF of the exponential distribution with parameter 1. Differentiating yields the PDF of :
(2) Find the distribution of . Again using the CDF method. Since , we have . For , . For , the CDF is: The integration region can be expressed as . For , we need , i.e., . So the integration limits are : Computing the inner integral with respect to : Substituting into the outer integral: Differentiating yields the PDF of : This is the density function of the Gamma distribution with parameters .
Final answer
(1) follows the exponential distribution with parameter 1, with PDF for . (2) follows the Gamma distribution with parameters (), with PDF for .
Marking scheme
The following is the undergraduate mathematics grading rubric (maximum 7 points). This rubric is based on the official solution logic and is also compatible with equivalent approaches such as the "change of variables method" or the "structural/property-based method."
1. Checkpoints (max 7 pts total)
Part 1: Finding the distribution of (Max 3 pts)
Score exactly one chain
*Chain A: CDF Method / Change of Variables Method*
- Integral or transformation setup [1 pt]: Correctly writing the double integral defining the CDF (with correct integration limits, e.g., ) or correctly writing the joint density and Jacobian determinant via change of variables.
- Computation [1 pt]: Correctly completing the inner integral or marginalization integral to obtain the intermediate result (e.g., ).
- Final result [1 pt]: Differentiating the CDF or simplifying to obtain the correct PDF (must specify ).
*Chain B: Property-Based Method (Structural Identification)*
- Distribution identification [1 pt]: Correctly identifying the marginal distribution and the conditional distribution .
- Scaling argument [1 pt]: Using the scaling property of the exponential distribution () to argue that follows .
- Final result [1 pt]: Explicitly writing the PDF (must specify ).
Part 2: Finding the distribution of (Max 4 pts)
Score exactly one chain
*Chain A: CDF Method / Change of Variables Method*
- Integral or transformation setup [1 pt]: Correctly establishing the integral expression for or setting up the change of variables framework for .
- Critical region determination [1 pt]: (Key difficulty) Correctly deriving that the upper limit of the integration variable is (i.e., ), because .
- *Note: If the integration limit is incorrectly written as to , no credit for this item.*
- Computation [1 pt]: Correctly completing the integration to obtain or the corresponding marginalization process.
- Final result [1 pt]: Differentiating to obtain the correct PDF (must specify ).
*Chain B: Convolution Method (Using Independence)*
- Independence statement [1 pt]: Based on the result of Part 1, explicitly stating that and are mutually independent (since the distribution of does not depend on ).
- Model identification [1 pt]: Reformulating the problem as the sum of two independent random variables, and citing the convolution formula or Gamma distribution properties.
- Computation [1 pt]: Correctly executing the convolution integral or writing the specific parameter form of the Gamma(2,1) distribution.
- Final result [1 pt]: Explicitly writing the PDF (must specify ).
Total (max 7)
2. Zero-credit items
- Merely copying the joint density function formula from the problem without setting up any specific integral.
- Only verifying without proceeding to compute the distributions (unless done as a necessary step to determine the integration limits).
- Only listing the general CDF definition formula without substituting the specific functions of this problem.
3. Deductions
- Missing domain (Max -1): The final result does not specify the variable range (e.g., or ), or does not introduce an indicator function. At most 1 point deducted for the entire exam.
- Logical gap (Max -2): In Part 2, failing to discuss the critical constraint yet "arriving at" the correct final result (e.g., forcibly modifying the integral result to match the answer).
- Algebraic error (Max -1): Sign errors in differentiation or simple arithmetic steps that do not affect the overall logic.