# Likelihood Ratio Test for Exponential Distribution with a Limited Parameter Space [duplicate]

Suppose that we are given an exponential distribution model with a pdf $f(x,\theta) = \theta^{-1}\exp(-x/\theta)$ with an iid sample $X_1, ..., X_n$, and we would like to test hypothesis $H_0 : \theta = 1$ and $H_1 : \theta > 1$. We shall investigate the limiting distribution of the likelihood test statistic $2n(l_n (\hat\theta) - l_n (1))$ where $l_n(\theta)$ is the log-likelihood function $\sum \log f(x,\theta$) and $\hat \theta$ is the MLE of $\theta$ in the parameter space. We shall investigate the asymptotic behavior of the test statistic.

Note that the parameter space is not the whole real line, so it does not create an open neighborhood around $H_0: \theta = 1$). Here is what I have discovered so far: we know that the MLE of exponential distribution is $\overline X_n$, the sample mean if we are allowed to take the whole parameter space. Using a similar argument, if the sample mean is greater than one, the same argument works. However, if it is smaller than or equal to one, the MLE is 1 (we can show it using a monotonicity argument). Hence, the test statistic becomes

$\begin{cases} 2n(\ln \overline X_n - (\overline X_n - 1)) && \text{if$\overline X_n > 1$} \\ 0 && \text{if$\overline X_n \leq 1$} \end{cases}$

we can use then a taylor expansion for the first case to show that it is indeed approximately equal to $n(\overline X_n - 1)^2$ that has a $\chi^2$-distribution asymptotically. However, how can we incorporate the case where $\overline X_n \leq 1$? If $H_1$ were $\theta \neq 1$ it would have been safe and sound. I guess the test becomes $\sum \overline X_n > k$ for some $k$, due to the zero part for the second case?

• I do not see anything threatening the asymptotic results here. An open interval can be formed around the the null $H_0:\;\theta=1$, for example $(.9,1.1)$ is an open interval in the parameter space. – Zachary Blumenfeld Feb 22 '16 at 6:46
• I undeleted your original post, Dave, because it is clear that by deleting it and reposting your question you are having people in this community recapitulate a dialog that has already occurred. If you would like to improve your original post, please just continue editing it and commenting to it. That will give people like @Zachary an opportunity to see what conversation has already taken place and enable them to move it further along, rather than having to repeat the same ideas. – whuber Feb 22 '16 at 14:19