[Math] Prove the sum of 2 Bernoulli is binomial

binomial distributionprobability

let $X_1,X_2$ be independent and identically distributed Bernoulli random variables with parameter p ∈ (0, 1).Prove that the sum $Y=X_1+X_2$ of these random variables is a binomial random variable with parameters 2 and p

Best Answer

If $X_1, X_2$ are two iid Bernoulli random variables, then their sum is the count of successes in two iid Bernoulli experiments.   This is the definition of a binomial random variable with parameters $2$ and $p$.

That is all. $\Box$


If you need to demonstrate further:

The probability that there will be exactly $y$ successes among these two variables is determined by measuring the probability of $y$ successes in a row followed by $2-y$ failures, then multiply this by the count of distinct ways to order these results.

That is: $$\mathsf P(Y=y) = \underline{\qquad\qquad?}$$

Which was to be demonstrated. $\Box$


Alternatively, from first principles we use the Law of Total Probability to show that when we partition the results by the first variable:

$$\begin{align} \mathsf P(Y=y) &= \mathsf P(X_1=1, X_2=y-1) + \mathsf P(X_1=0, X_2=y) \\[1ex]& = p\cdot \mathsf P(X_2=y-1) + (1-p)\cdot \mathsf P(X_2=y) \\[1ex]& = \begin{cases} \underline\qquad & : y =0 \\ \underline\qquad & : y=1 \\ \underline\qquad & : y=2 \end{cases} \end{align}$$

Which was to be demonstrated. $\Box$


Fill in the blanks if required. But really, you don't need to go passed the first tombstone.

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