[Math] do two random variables defined on different probability spaces have the same disribution

probabilityprobability theory

Given two probability spaces $\textstyle (\Omega_1,\mathcal{F}_1,P_1) , \textstyle (\Omega_2,\mathcal{F}_2,P_2)$ , X is a random variable defined on $(\Omega_1,\mathcal{F}_1,P_1)$, Y is a random variable defined on $(\Omega_2,\mathcal{F}_2,P_2)$. Is it possible X and Y have the same distribution?

if have, how to prove?

Best Answer

Sure it's possible. That $X$ and $Y$ has the same distribution means that their respective probability distributions (probability measures) $P_X:=P_1\circ X^{-1}$ and $P_Y:=P_2\circ Y^{-1}$ on $(\mathbb{R},\mathcal{B}(\mathbb{R}))$ are the same. To prove it, you have to show that $$ P_X(B)=P_1(X\in B)=P_2(Y\in B)=P_Y(B),\quad B\in\mathcal{B}(\mathbb{R}), $$ where $\mathcal{B}(\mathbb{R})$ is the Borel sigma-algebra on $\mathbb{R}$. Since $\mathcal{B}(\mathbb{R})$ is generated by the sets of the form $(-\infty,a]$ for $a\in\mathbb{R}$, it is actually enough to show that $$ P_X((-\infty,a])=P_1(X\leq a)=P_2(Y\leq a)=P_Y((-\infty,a]),\quad a\in\mathbb{R}. $$ Note that this corresponds to checking if their respective cumulative distribution functions $F_X$ and $F_Y$ are the same.

Other methods also apply: $X$ and $Y$ have the same distribution, i.e. $P_X=P_Y$ if

  • their characteristic functions agree, i.e. ${\rm E}[e^{itX}]={\rm E}[e^{itY}]$, $t\in\mathbb{R}$,

  • their moment-generating functions agree, i.e. ${\rm E}[e^{tX}]={\rm E}[e^{tY}]$, $t\in\mathbb{R}$,

  • their densities agree, i.e. $f_X(t)=f_Y(t)$, $t\in\mathbb{R}$, provided that both $X$ and $Y$ are absolutely continuous,

  • their probability mass functions agree, i.e. $p_X(t)=p_Y(t)$, $t\in\mathbb{R}$, provided that both $X$ and $Y$ are discrete variables,

  • under additional assumptions, that ${\rm E}[X^n]={\rm E}[Y^n]$ for all $n\in\mathbb{N}$.

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