# How do we deduce this fisher information relation?

Given a RS $$X_{1},X_{2},\ldots,X_{n}$$ whose distribution is well known (unless its parameters), how do we prove the following Fischer Information relationship \begin{align*} I_{F}(\theta) =\textbf{E}\left[\left(\frac{\partial\ln f(\textbf{X}|\theta)}{\partial\theta}\right)^{2}\right] = -\textbf{E}\left[\frac{\partial^{2}\ln f(\textbf{X}|\theta)}{\partial\theta^{2}}\right] \end{align*}

MY APPROACH

To begin with, I started with the observation that \begin{align*} &\frac{\partial^{2}\ln f(\textbf{X}|\theta)}{\partial\theta^{2}} = \frac{\partial}{\partial\theta}\left[\frac{\partial\ln f(\textbf{X}|\theta)}{\partial\theta}\right] = \frac{\partial}{\partial\theta}\left[\frac{1}{f(\textbf{X}|\theta)}\frac{\displaystyle\partial f(\textbf{X}|\theta)}{\displaystyle\partial \theta}\right] = \ldots \end{align*}

But I do not know how to proceed from here. Can someone help me out? Thanks in advance!

Following your way, calling $$f(\textbf{X}|\theta)=f$$, for notational simplicity: \begin{align}\frac{\partial^2 \ln f}{\partial\theta^2}&=\frac{\partial}{\partial\theta}\left(\frac{\partial\ln f}{\partial\theta}\right)=\frac{\partial}{\partial\theta}\left(\frac{1}{f}\frac{\partial f}{\partial\theta}\right)\\&=-\frac{1}{f^2}\left(\frac{\partial f}{\partial\theta}\right)^2+\frac{1}{f}\frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial\theta^2}\end{align}
Note that the first summand, call it $$\mathcal{F}$$, can be manipulated as: $$\mathcal{F}=-\left(\frac{1}{f}\frac{\partial f}{\partial\theta}\right)^2=-\left(\frac{\partial\ln f}{\partial\theta}\right)^2$$ because inner term is the same with the rightmost term we found in the first line.
For the second summand, we have: $$E\left[\frac{1}{f}\frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial\theta^2}\right]=\int \frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial\theta^2}dX=\frac{\partial^2}{\partial\theta^2}\left(\int fdX\right)=\frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial\theta^2}(1)=0$$ So, only the first summand remains non-zero, which is what we need to find. Note that. in order for this equation to be true, the differentiation by $$\theta$$ needs to be drawn out of the integral via assumed regularity conditions.
• The notation is brief to the point of being (potentially) confusing. Does "$dX$" mean "$f(x)dx$"? How do you obtain the last two inequalities (neither of which seem correct)? – whuber Apr 23 '19 at 19:45
• $dX$ is as is because $$E\left[\frac{1}{f}\frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial\theta^2}\right]=\int \frac{1}{f(X|\theta)}\frac{\partial^2 f(X|\theta)}{\partial\theta^2}f(X|\theta)dX=\int \frac{\partial^2 f(X|\theta)}{\partial\theta^2}dX$$. Which one is the other confusing one? The equality for $\mathcal{F}$? – gunes Apr 23 '19 at 20:01
• It appears you have evaluated "$\int f dX$" as "$f(1)$" rather than as $1.$ The use of a capital $X$ to denote both a random variable and variable of integration technically works but is potentially confusing. – whuber Apr 23 '19 at 21:16