# Math Help - Covariance and correlation

1. ## Covariance and correlation

I know how to calculate covariance and correlation, just not in this question... I'll explain why after I write out.

Suppose that $X_1$, $X_2$, $X_3$, $X_4$, $X_5$ are independent random variables with variance $\sigma^2$. Determine the covariance of $X_1+3X_2+2X_3$ and $2X_1-X_2+3X_4+X_5$? Determine the correlation between these two variables.

Now, as far as I'm aware, you need to know the means to calculate the covariance am I being an idiot and missing something completely obvious?

2. Originally Posted by chella182
I know how to calculate covariance and correlation, just not in this question... I'll explain why after I write out.

Suppose that $X_1$, $X_2$, $X_3$, $X_4$, $X_5$ are independent random variables with variance $\sigma^2$. Determine the covariance of $X_1+3X_2+2X_3$ and $2X_1-X_2+3X_4+X_5$? Determine the correlation between these two variables.

Now, as far as I'm aware, you need to know the means to calculate the covariance am I being an idiot and missing something completely obvious?
You don't need the mean here, simply use the fact that the covariance is bilinear: ${\rm Cov}(aX+bY,cZ+dT)=ac{\rm Cov}(X,Z)+ad{\rm Cov}(X,T)+...\mbox{(two terms with Y)}$, and ${\rm Cov}(X,Y)=0$ if $X,Y$ are independent, and ${\rm Cov}(X,X)={\rm Var}(X)$.

3. Originally Posted by Laurent
You don't need the mean here, simply use the fact that the covariance is bilinear: ${\rm Cov}(aX+bY,cZ+dT)=ac{\rm Cov}(X,Z)+ad{\rm Cov}(X,T)+...\mbox{(two terms with Y)}$, and ${\rm Cov}(X,Y)=0$ if $X,Y$ are independent, and ${\rm Cov}(X,X)={\rm Var}(X)$.
Okay, so am I doing $2\times Cov(X_1,X_1)+(-1)\times Cov(X_1,X_2)+3\times Cov(X_1,X_4)+Cov(X_1,X_5)...$ then with terms starting with $3X_2$ and $2X_3$ et cetera?

4. Originally Posted by chella182
Okay, so am I doing $2\times Cov(X_1,X_1)+(-1)\times Cov(X_1,X_2)+3\times Cov(X_1,X_4)+Cov(X_1,X_5)...$ then with terms starting with $3X_2$ and $2X_3$ et cetera?
Yes, but since the covariance of independent terms is 0, you can write the terms like ${\rm Cov}(X_1,X_1)$ only, and there are just two of them.

5. Is the correlation -1/ $\sqrt{210}$?