Binomial and Poisson – Summing Binomial and Poisson Random Variables

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If we have two independent random variables $X_1 \sim \mathrm{Binom}(n,p)$ and $X_2 \sim \mathrm{Pois}(\lambda)$, what is the probability mass function of $X_1 + X_2$?

NB This is not homework for me.

Best Answer

You will end up with two different formulas for $p_{X_1+X_2}(k)$, one for $0 \leq k < n$, and one for $k \geq n$. The easiest way of doing this problem is to compute the product of $\sum_{i=0}^n p_{X_1}(i)z^k$ and $\sum_{j=0}^{\infty}p_{X_2}(j)z^j$. Then, $p_{X_1+X_2}(k)$ is the coefficient of $z^k$ in the product. No simplification of the sums is possible.