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Let $(p_k)_{k=0, \dots, \infty}$ denote the probability masses of a Negative Binomial distribution with parameters $r>0$ and $p\in]0,1[$. I'm looking for the sum of their squares, $$\sum_{k=0}^\infty p_k^2$$ as a function of $r$ and $p$ (other parameterizations are also fine). In other words I am interested in (the exponential of) the second-order Renyi entropy of a Negative Binomial distribution.

Background:

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  • $\begingroup$ As per @whuber's comment here, this question is related, but not a duplicate... I'd still be interested in an analytical solution. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 21, 2015 at 11:44
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    $\begingroup$ I have edited your post to add the name second-order Renyi entropy. I think this could be useful for web search engines. I hope this is fine for you. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 21, 2015 at 16:13

1 Answer 1

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Take two independent Poisson random variables $X$ and $X'$, with means $\lambda$ and $\lambda'$. The formula answering your question in the Poisson case is a particular case of the identity $$\Pr(X = X' \mid \lambda, \lambda') = \exp(-\lambda)\exp(-\lambda')I_0(2\sqrt{\lambda}{\sqrt{\lambda'}}).$$

> lambda <- 1; lambdaa <- 2
> sum(dpois(0:100,lambda)*dpois(0:100,lambdaa))
[1] 0.2117121
> gsl::bessel_I0(2*sqrt(lambda*lambdaa)) * exp(-lambda-lambdaa)
[1] 0.2117121

Your problem is the same as calculating $\int\int\Pr(X= X' \mid \lambda, \lambda') f_{a,b}(\lambda)f_{a,b}(\lambda')d\lambda d\lambda'$ where $f_{a,b}$ is the $\Gamma(a,b)$ pdf, setting $r=a$ and $p=\frac{b}{1+b}$ with your notations, because of the link between the negative binomial distribution and the Poisson-Gamma distribution.

Let's start by $$\int \exp(-\lambda)I_0(2\sqrt{\lambda}{\sqrt{\lambda'}})f_{a,b}(\lambda)d\lambda = \frac{b^a}{\Gamma(a)}\int \lambda^{a-1}\exp\bigl(-(b+1)\lambda\bigr)I_0(2\sqrt{\lambda}{\sqrt{\lambda'}})d\lambda.$$

According to Mathematica this is equal to $$ {\left(\frac{b}{1+b}\right)}^a {}_1\!F_1\left(a, 1, \frac{\lambda'}{b+1}\right) $$ where ${}_1\!F_1$ is the Kummer hypergeometric function.

Now we can even get something for $$ \begin{multline} \int \exp(-\lambda'){}_1\!F_1\left(a, 1, \frac{\lambda'}{b+1}\right)f_{a',b'}(\lambda')d\lambda' \\ = \frac{{b'}^{a'}}{\Gamma(a')}\int {\lambda'}^{a'-1}\exp\bigl(-(b'+1)\lambda'\bigr) {{}_1\!F_1}\left(a, 1, \frac{\lambda'}{b+1}\right)d\lambda'. \end{multline} $$ Indeed, Mathematica gives $$ {\left(\frac{b'}{1+b'}\right)}^{a'} {}_2\!F_1\left(a, a', 1, \frac{1}{(b+1)(b'+1)}\right) $$ where ${}_2\!F_1$ is the Gauss hypergeometric function. The final result is beautiful: $$ {\left(\frac{b}{1+b}\right)}^{a}{\left(\frac{b'}{1+b'}\right)}^{a'}{}_2\!F_1\left(a, a', 1, \frac{1}{(b+1)(b'+1)}\right), $$ and even a bit more beautiful with your notations: $$ p^{a}{p'}^{a'}{}_2\!F_1\left(a, a', 1, (1-p)(1-p')\right) $$

Check:

> a <- 2; A <- 3; b <- 5; B <- 8
> (b/(1+b))^a*(B/(1+B))^A*gsl::hyperg_2F1(a,A,1,1/(b+1)/(B+1))
[1] 0.5450618
> sum(dnbinom(0:100, a, b/(1+b))*dnbinom(0:100, A, B/(1+B)))
[1] 0.5450618

In the special case you are interested in, the sum of squares is $$ p^{2a}{}_2\!F_1\left(a, a, 1, {(1-p)}^2\right), $$ and the second-order Renyi entropy is $$ -2a \log p - \log {}_2\!F_1\left(a, a, 1, {(1-p)}^2\right). $$

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you. This looks both intriguing and intimidating. I'll need a little time to digest it. In the meantime, could you please introduce me to your friend ${}_kF_\ell$? $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 21, 2015 at 15:28
  • $\begingroup$ @StephanKolassa I have edited my answer to add their names. You will easily find some information about them. $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 21, 2015 at 15:54

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