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We are given a set $X = \{X_1,\ldots,X_n\}$ where $X_i=2^i$.  A sample  $S\subseteq X$ is drawn by  selecting each $X_i$  independently with probability $P_i = \frac{1}{2}$ . The expected value of the smallest number in sample $S$ is:

1. $\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)$
2. $2$
3. $\sqrt n$
4. $n$
edited | 1.3k views

The answer is option $D.$

The smallest element in sample $S$ would be $X_i$  for which $i$ is smallest.

The given probability is for selection of each item of $X$. Independent selection means each item is selected with probability $\frac{1}{2}$.

Probability for $X_1$ to be smallest in $S = \frac{1}{2}$.
Value of $X_1=2$.
Probability for $X_2$ to be smallest in $S$ = Probability of $X_1$ not being in $S$ $\times$ Probability of $X_2$ being in $S$ $= \frac{1}{2} . \frac{1}{2}$.
Value of $X_2=2^2=4$.
Similarly, Probability for $X_i$ to be smallest in $S = (1/2)^i$.

Value of $X_i=2^i$ .

Now Required Expectation=  $\sum_{i=1}^{n}2^{^{i}} \times \left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{i} = \sum_{i=1}^n 1 = n$.
edited
+1

What if S is ∅ ?

+2
Well explained !
+1
nice explanation thump up (y)
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Superb .Thanks:)

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@Mari Ganesh-

Why the probability for $X_1$ to be smallest is $\frac{1}{2}$ and why not it is like

$X_1$ is smallest if we surely have $X_1$ in our set S, and remaining elements from the set X from $X_2$ to $X_n$ may or may not be present each with probability 1/2

So it should be like proability of $X_1$ to be smallest in S=Probability of $X_1$ in S * 2(Probability of Each of $X_i$ in S or not in S for i=$2\,to\,n$

= Probability of $X_1$ in S*2*($\frac{1}{2}$)=Probability of $X_1$ in S
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probability of $x1$ being selected is $\frac{1}{2}$  along with it's weightage $2$. But when $x1$  is getting selected, then we are not choosing all the other elements ($x2,x3,....,xn$). So why it is not computed like this

$E(x)$=probability of choosing $x1$ * not choosing $(x2,x3,....xn)$* weight-age of $x1 = \frac{1}{2} *(\frac{1}{2})^{n-1} *2$

Kindly explain?
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@Abhijit Sen4-That's exactly What i also want to know

Ans : D] n

Here, = {2,4,8,...,2n} and S is subset of X.

E[Z] = $\sum$ Z*P[Z] Here, random variable Z is value of smallest number in S, so Z can take value from {2,4,⋯,2n}.

E[smallest number] = $\sum_{i=1}^{n}$ xi * P[xi is smallest]

Now, P[xi is smallest] = $\frac{1}{2^{i}}$ as for xi to be smallest x1, x2,..., xi-1 should not be selected (this has probability of $\frac{1}{2^{i-1}}$ ) and xi should be selected (probability $\frac{1}{2}$ ).

$\therefore$ E[smallest number] = $\sum_{i=1}^{n}$ 2i * $\frac{1}{2^{i}}$ =  $\sum_{i=1}^{n}$ 1 = n

+1 vote

Events are:

2 is smallest or 4 is smallest or ... or 'n' is smallest number.

Lets consider the probablity that 1 is smallest no. in set S

I choose 2 with probablity 1/2.

Now, I can choose 0 more elements in (n-1)C* $(\frac{1}{2})^{n-1}$

$(\frac{1}{2})^{n-1}$ because all elements were deselected each with probablity 1/2.

OR

I can choose 1 more elements in (n-1)C1 * $(\frac{1}{2})^{n-1}$

(n-1)C1 * $(\frac{1}{2})^{n-1}$ because I selected 1 element with prob. 1/2 and deselected others each with prob. 1/2

OR

.

.

.

I can choose n-1 more elements in (n-1)C1 * $(\frac{1}{2})^{n-1}$

(n-1)C(n-1) * $(\frac{1}{2})^{n-1}$ because I selected (n-1) elements each with prob. 1/2

Thus, total probablity that 2 is least number

= $\frac{1}{2} * (\frac{1}{2})^{n-1} * (\binom{n-1}{0} + \binom{n-1}{1}+...+\binom{n-1}{n-1})$

=1/2

Similarly, probablity of 4 being least number = 1/4

.

.

.

Similarly, probablity of 2n being least number = $\frac{1}{2^{n}}$

Now, mean

= $\sum x.P(x)$

= 2 * (1/2)  + 4 * (1/4)  + ... + 2n * $\frac{1}{2^{n}}$

= 1 + 1 + 1 + ... + (n times)

= n

Most probably 2 option b not sure.
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D is correct !