0
$\begingroup$

Let $Y\sim \sum^N_{i=1}\omega_iN(m_i,h^2 V)$.

The text I'm reading states that $Var(Y)=(1+h^2)V$, when $m_i=\theta_i$, where $\theta_i$ are draws taken from $P(\theta|D)$, and $V=Var(\theta|D)$

I get $Var(Y)=\sum_im_i^2\omega_i - E(Y)^2+h^2V$, but I don't see how it's equal to $V+h^2V$...

$\endgroup$

2 Answers 2

3
$\begingroup$

The formula below, which I think is called the law of total variance, can be useful:

$$ \text{Var}(A) = \text{E} \Big( \text{Var} (A \,|\, B) \Big) + \text{Var} \Big( \text{E} (A \,|\, B) \Big) $$

Applying this formula when

$$ X \,|\, \theta \sim \text{N} (\theta, h^2V) \\ \text{Var}(\theta) = V $$

gives

\begin{align} \text{Var} (X) & = \text{E} \Big( \text{Var} (X \,|\, \theta) \Big) + \text{Var} \Big( \text{E} (X \,|\, \theta) \Big) \\ & = \text{E} (h^2 V) + \text{Var}(\theta) \\ & = h^2 V + V \\ & = (h^2 + 1) V \end{align}

For the rest, I guess that $$ \text{Var}(Y) = \sum_i \omega_i^2 \, \text{Var}(X_i)=(h^2+1) \, V \, \sum_i \omega_i^2 = (h^2+1) \, V $$

$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Ocram, a sum of r.v. is not the same as a mixture... $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 17, 2018 at 14:02
  • $\begingroup$ your question is unclear $\endgroup$
    – ocram
    Commented Aug 17, 2018 at 14:06
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ In your case, the mixture is indeed a sum: to the discrete distribution supported on the $m_i$ with probabilities $\omega_i$ you have added a Normal distribution of mean $0$ and variance $\sigma^2.$ $\endgroup$
    – whuber
    Commented Aug 17, 2018 at 15:25
  • $\begingroup$ @Anoldmaninthesea: Does it answer your question, then? $\endgroup$
    – ocram
    Commented Aug 18, 2018 at 14:23
0
$\begingroup$

Well, we can deduce that $Var(E(Y|i))=\sum_i\omega_im_i^2-E^2(Y)$.

And, $Var(E(Y|i))=Var(\theta_i)=V$

$\endgroup$
1

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.