$Z_i=X_i-Y_i$ with $X_i$ and $Y_i$ independent and exponentially distributed

exponential distributionprobabilitystatisticsvariance

I got this question:
We consider a sample of $Z_1,…,Z_n$ of independent and identically distributed random variables where $Z_i=X_i-Y_i$ with $X_i$ and $Y_i$ independent and exponentially distributed with mean $\theta$

Then I have to show that
$$E_{\theta}(Z_i^4)=24 \theta^4$$

Can someone help med with that?
I think I can use that
$$V(Z)=E(Z^2)-E(Z)^2$$
and
$$V(Z^2)=E(Z^4)-E(Z^2)^2$$
But how can I find $E(Z)$ and $V(Z)$ and $V(Z^2)$?

Best Answer

I think it is easy in this way:

First of all observe that

$$\mathbb{E}[X^k]=\int_0^{\infty} x^k\frac{1}{\theta}e^{-x/\theta}dx=\theta^k\underbrace{\int_0^{\infty}\left(\frac{ x}{\theta}\right)^ke^{-x/\theta}d\left(\frac{x}{\theta}\right)}_{=\Gamma(k+1)=k!}=k!\theta^k$$

Second, expand $(X-Y)^4$ and find the result using independence property

thus

$$\mathbb{E}[X-Y]^4=\theta^4[4!-4\cdot3!+6\cdot2!\cdot2!-4\cdot3!+4!]=24\theta^4$$

...the result you have to prove (after your editing) is done!

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