# Math Help - Joint and marginal distributions

1. ## Joint and marginal distributions

Hi, i am trying to answer the following question:

Consider the following joint distribution:

P(X=n, Y=m)= (m+n)(e^-2x) x^(m+n)/(n+m)!
n
where m and n takes values in 0,1,2.......

(the first bit should read m+n choose n)

show that X and Y are independent but have the same distribution as each other.

I know I should find the marginal distributions of X and Y, but Im not sure how to do so in this case, in my notes i only have examples where the joint distribution looks geometric. If i were to do it that way, to work out the marginal distribution of X, would I sum the joint distribution from m=0 to infinity and then work on simplifying it?

2. ## Re: Joint and marginal distributions

Originally Posted by yellowcarrotz
Consider the following joint distribution:
$P(X=n, Y=m)=\binom{n+m}{n} \frac{e^{-2x} x^{m+n}}{(n+m)!}$
where $m$ and $n$ takes values in $\mathbb{N}$.
Show that $X$ and $Y$ are independent but have the same distribution as each other.

Would I sum the joint distribution from $m=0$ to infinity and then work on simplifying it?
Yes, by this way you will find $P(X=n)$, and by symmetry $P(Y=m)$.

3. ## Re: Joint and marginal distributions

ok thanks for your help i'm not quite show what to do about the (n+m) bit?
n

4. ## Re: Joint and marginal distributions

Write $\binom{n+m}n\frac 1{(m+n)!}$ as $\frac 1{n!m!}$.

5. ## Re: Joint and marginal distributions

Got it thanks