1 problem found
The random variable \(X\) takes only non-negative integer values and has probability generating function \(\G(t)\). Show that \[ \P(X = 0 \text{ or } 2 \text{ or } 4 \text { or } 6 \ \ldots ) = \frac{1}{2}\big(\G\left(1\right)+\G\left(-1\right)\big). \] You are now given that \(X\) has a Poisson distribution with mean \(\lambda\). Show that \[ \G(t) = \e^{-\lambda(1-t)} \,. \]
Solution: \begin{align*} &&G_X(t) &= \mathbb{E}(t^N) \\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(X = k) t^k \\ \Rightarrow && G_X(1) &= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(X = k) \\ \Rightarrow && G_X(-1) &= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} (-1)^k\mathbb{P}(X = k) \\ \Rightarrow && \frac12 (G_X(1) + G_X(-1) &= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac12 (1 + (-1)^k) \mathbb{P}(X = k) \\ &&&= \sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \mathbb{P}(X =2k) \end{align*}