Let X be a discrete valued random variable with cumulative dist. F(x) is/are correct:
Correct Answer :
has jump discontinuity
is non decreasing F(x)
Solution :
The correct options are:
1. has jump discontinuity
2. is non decreasing F(x)
Let us analyze the properties of the cumulative distribution function (CDF), , for a discrete valued random variable step-by-step:
1. Non-decreasing Property:
By definition, the cumulative distribution function of a random variable is given by:
If we choose two real numbers and such that , the event is contained within the event . Consequently, the probability must satisfy:
This demonstrates that is always a non-decreasing function. Therefore, the option is non decreasing F(x) is correct.
2. Jump Discontinuities:
For a discrete valued random variable , the probability is concentrated at specific, isolated values (say, where ). The CDF of a discrete random variable is a step function that remains constant in the intervals between these values and jumps abruptly at each point . The size of the jump at any point is equal to the probability mass at that point:
Because of these step-like changes, the function contains jump discontinuities at all values of where the probability mass is non-zero. Therefore, the option has jump discontinuity is correct.
Why other options are incorrect:
- F(x) is left continuous: By mathematical convention, a cumulative distribution function is defined to be right-continuous, not left-continuous.
- always a positive F(x): The values of are bounded such that . For values of less than the smallest possible value that the random variable can take, . Thus, it is not always strictly positive.
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