Convergence in probability of the sum of two random variables

In summary, the conversation discusses the proof that if X_n and Y_n are random variables and X_n converges to X in probability and Y_n converges to Y in probability, then X_n + Y_n also converges to X + Y in probability. This is shown by using the triangle inequality and considering sets A_n and B_n to prove that the probability of the difference between X_n + Y_n and X + Y being greater than epsilon approaches 0 as n approaches infinity.
  • #1
Gregg
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0

Homework Statement



[itex] X, Y, (X_n)_{n>0} \text{ and } (Y_n)_{n>0} [/itex] are random variables.

Show that if

[itex] X_n \xrightarrow{\text{P}} X [/itex] and [tex] Y_n \xrightarrow{\text{P}} Y [/tex] then [itex] X_n + Y_n \xrightarrow{\text{P}} X + Y [/itex]

Homework Equations



If [itex] X_n \xrightarrow{\text{P}} X [/itex] then [itex] \text{Pr}(|X_n-X|>\epsilon)=0 \text{ } \forall \epsilon > 0 \text{ as } n \to \infty[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



First, let the sets [itex] A_n(\epsilon) = \{|X_n - X|<\epsilon\} [/itex] and [itex] B_n(\epsilon) = \{|Y_n - Y|<\epsilon\} [/itex]

The sum of the two moduli will always be less than [itex]2\epsilon[/itex] if both of the moduli are less than [itex]\epsilon[/itex] but the converse is not generally true.

[itex] C_n(\epsilon)=\{|X_n-X|+|Y_n-Y|<2\epsilon\}\supset{A_n(\epsilon)\cap B_n(\epsilon)}[/itex]


Using the triangle inequality:
[itex] |X_n + Y_n - X - Y | \le |X_n-X|+|Y_n-Y| [/itex]


[itex]D_n(\epsilon) =\{|X_n-X+Y_n-Y|<2\epsilon\} \supset C_n(\epsilon) [/itex]


I think this has gone wrong in several places but from here I hope to say that

[itex] \text{Pr}(D_n) \ge \text{Pr}(C_n) \ge \text{Pr}(A_n\cap B_n ) \ge \text{Pr}(A_n) \to 1 \text{ as } n\to\infty [/itex]

[tex]\text{Pr}(D_n^c) \to 0 \text{ as } n\to \infty[/tex]
 
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  • #2
You can always consider n' so that both
## |X_n -X| < \epsilon/2 ,|Y_n -Y| < \epsilon/2 ##, so that

For## Z_n := X_n + Y_n ; Z=X+Y ##

## |Z_n -Z| =| X_n -X + Y_n -Y| \leq |X_n -X|+|Y_n -Y| < \epsilon/2 + \epsilon/2 =\epsilon##

So that ##X_n + Y_n ## converges to ## X+Y ##
 

Related to Convergence in probability of the sum of two random variables

1. What is the definition of convergence in probability?

Convergence in probability is a concept in probability theory that describes the behavior of a sequence of random variables. It means that as the number of trials or observations increases, the probability of the variables approaching a specific value also increases.

2. How is convergence in probability different from other types of convergence?

Convergence in probability is different from other types of convergence, such as almost sure convergence or convergence in distribution, because it is based on the probability of a sequence of random variables approaching a specific value, rather than the values themselves.

3. What is the significance of convergence in probability?

Convergence in probability is an important concept in probability theory because it allows us to make predictions about the behavior of a sequence of random variables and their limit. It is also used in statistical inference to determine the accuracy and reliability of estimates.

4. How is convergence in probability related to the law of large numbers?

The law of large numbers states that as the number of trials or observations increases, the average value of a sequence of random variables will approach the expected value. This is similar to convergence in probability, as it also involves the behavior of a sequence of random variables as the number of trials increases.

5. What are the conditions for convergence in probability to occur?

For convergence in probability to occur, there are two main conditions that must be met: 1) the sequence of random variables must be independent, and 2) the sequence must satisfy the criterion of being "tight," meaning that the probability of the variables being far from the expected value must decrease as the number of trials or observations increases.

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