# Expected value of random variable

• October 22nd 2011, 08:32 AM
doug
Expected value of random variable
It is known that for any non-negative Y random variable:

$E(Y)= \int_0^\infty P\{Y>t\}\,\mathrm{d}t$

Show that for any non-negative X random variable:

$E(X^n)= \int_0^\infty nx^{n-1}P\{X>x\}\,\mathrm{d}x$

Thank you very much in advance!
• October 22nd 2011, 10:04 AM
TKHunny
Re: Expected value of random variable
As it is written, I'm not sure it exists.

Anyway, it looks like a simple job for an Integration by Parts. Let's see what you get.
• October 22nd 2011, 10:55 AM
doug
Re: Expected value of random variable
Quote:

Originally Posted by TKHunny
As it is written, I'm not sure it exists.

Anyway, it looks like a simple job for an Integration by Parts. Let's see what you get.

You are right there was typo in the text, I corrected the variable t to x in the second integral.

I suppose that $E(X^n)=\int_0^\infty P(X^n>t)\,\mathrm{d}t$ and then changing the variable: $t:=x^n$. But to tell the truth I don't know how to continue.
• October 23rd 2011, 01:08 AM
Moo
Re: Expected value of random variable
Hello,

Since X is almost surely positive, you can say that $\{X^n>t\}\Leftrightarrow \{X>t^{1/n}\}$

and then change $x=t^{1/n}$