Four Probability problems

2. We saw in class that a coin-flipping game that pays $2n if the first head appears on the nth (that is,
a random variable X such that P (X = 2n) = 1/2n for n = 1, . . . , ∞) toss has infinite expectation.
(a) Economists, among others, like to speak in terms of utility functions. Intuitively, you certainly would value an additional dollar more if you had fewer to begin with. Let U(x) = x1/k for k > 0. Compute E(U(X)) and note for which values of k this converges. What property does U have for these values of k?
(b) If k = 2, then U(X) has finite expectation. Compute the variance. Notice anything strange?
(c) Now let U(x) = log2(x). Repeat the first part with this function. Is this value larger or smaller.
(Log-utility is very common in economic theory.)
3. Let N be the number of times you need to throw a six-sided until you have observed each of the sides. For example suppose you start throwing the die and you see 3,4,3,5,1,1,6,2. You would then stop and N would then be 8.
(a) Find E(N).
(b) Find V ar(N).
4. Let X and Y be independent random variables. Suppose that EX = 1, EY = 0, V ar(X) = 10,
Var(Y) = 9. Find E(X −2Y)2.
5. A particular binary data transmission and reception device is prone to some error when receiving
data. Suppose that each bit is read correctly with probability p.
(a) Find a value of p such that when 10,000 bits are received, the expected number of errors is at
most 10.
(b) Using this value of p what is the probability of no errors? Of at least 1? of at least 10?