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STATS 200 (Stanford University, Summer 2015)

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions


This document contains some questions that are fairly representative of the content, style,
and difficulty of the questions that will appear on the midterm exam. Most of these questions
come from actual exams that I gave in previous editions of the course. Please keep the
following things in mind:
This document is much longer than the actual midterm exam will be.
All material covered in the lecture notes (up through page 1 of Lecture 6) is eligible
for inclusion on the midterm exam, regardless of whether it is covered by any of the
sample questions below.
Unlike this document, the actual exam paper will be printed with blank space between
the questions so that you can write your solution directly on the question paper itself.
1. Let X1 , . . . , Xn be iid discrete random variables, each with pmf

(x + 1) x

x+2
f (x) = (1 + )

if x {0, 1, 2, . . .},
if x {0, 1, 2, . . .},

where 0 is unknown, and where we take 00 = 1 so that f0 (0) = 1.


Note: It can be shown that E (X1 ) = 2 and Var (X1 ) = 2(1 + ). You may use these
facts without proof.
(a) Find the maximum likelihood estimator of .
Solution: The log-likelihood is (for 0)
n

i=1

i=1

i=1

`x () = log(xi + 1) + xi log (xi + 2) log(1 + ).


Differentiating and setting the result equal to zero yields
n
n
n
n
n

xi (xi + 2)
`x () = i=1 i=1
= 0 xi + xi = 2n + xi

1+
i=1
i=1
i=1
1 n
=
xi .
2n i=1

(It can be verified by any of several approaches that this critical point is indeed the
maximum.) Then
1 n
n =
Xi
2n i=1
is the maximum likelihood estimator of .

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

(b) Let
n denote the maximum likelihood estimator of from part (a). Show that
n(n ) converges in distribution as n , and find the limiting distribution.
Solution: By the central limit theorem,
1 n
n( Xi 2) D N [0, 2(1 + )].
n i=1
since E (X1 ) = 2 and Var (X1 ) = 2(1 + ). Then

(1 + )
n(n ) D N [0,
],
2
noting that (1 + )/2 = 2(1 + )/22 .

(c) Let 2 = Var (X1 ) = 2(1 + ). Find the maximum likelihood estimator of 2 .
Note: Assume the parameter space for 2 is [0, ), i.e., the parameter space for 2
is exactly what it logically should be.
Solution: The maximum likelihood estimator of 2 is
n2 = 2n (1 + n ).

(d)
Let
n2 denote the maximum likelihood estimator of 2 from part (b). Show that
n(
n2 2 ) converges in distribution as n , and find the limiting distribution.
Solution: Let g(t) = 2t(1 + t), so that 2 = g(). Then g (t) = 2(1 + 2t), and thus

n(
n2 2 ) D N [0, 2(1 + )(1 + 2)2 ]
by the delta method, noting that 2(1 + )(1 + 2)2 = [(1 + )/2][2(1 + 2)]2 .

2. Let X1 , . . . , Xn iid Poisson(), where > 0 is unknown. Let = 2 , and let


n

1
= ( Xi )
n i=1

be an estimator of . Find the bias of as an estimator of .


Note 1: You may express your answer either in terms of or in terms of .
Note 2: The mean and variance of the Poisson() distribution are both equal to . Also,
n
i=1 Xi Poisson(n). You may use these facts without proof. You do not need to know
the formula for the Poisson() or Poisson(n) pmf to solve the problem.
Solution: The bias of as an estimator of is

1 n

Bias () = E () = E ( Xi ) 2

n i=1

n
2

1
= 2 E ( Xi ) 2
n
i=1

2
n
n
1
1
= 2 [E ( Xi )] + 2 Var ( Xi ) 2
n
n
i=1
i=1
1
1

= 2 (n)2 + 2 (n) 2 =
n
n
n
n
since i=1 Xi Poisson(n).

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

3. Let X1 , . . . , Xn iid Pareto(k, ) conditional on , where > 0 is unknown but k > 0 is


known. Let the prior on be Gamma(a, b), where a > 0 and b > 0 are known.
Note: The Pareto(k, ) distribution has pdf

x+1
f (x) =

if x k,
if x < k,

and its mean is k/( 1) if > 1 (and if 1). The Gamma(a, b) distribution has pdf

ba a1

x exp(bx)

f (x) = (a)

if x > 0,
if x 0,

and its mean is a/b.


(a) Find the posterior distribution of .
Hint: It may help to remember that tc = exp(c log t) for any t > 0 and any c R.
Solution: Keeping only terms with , the posterior distribution of is (for > 0)
n

( x) [(
i=1

n
k
i=1 xi
a1
)]

exp(b)

(
)
n+a1 exp(b)
kn
xi
n

n+a1 exp[(b n log k + log xi )],


i=1

which we recognize as an unnormalized Gamma(n + a, b n log k + ni=1 log xi ) distribution. (Note that ni=1 log xi n log k 0 since xi k for each i {1, . . . , n}.) Thus,

x Gamma(n + a, b n log k + ni=1 log xi ).


(b) Find (or simply state) the posterior mean of .
Solution: The posterior mean of is simply
E( x) =

n+a
b n log k + ni=1 log xi

using the facts provided in the question.

4. Let X1 , . . . , Xn iid N (, 1), where R is unknown. Let a1 , . . . , an be constants such


that ni=1 ai = 0, and let Y = ni=1 ai Xi . Find a number b > 0 such that bY 2 has a chi-squared
distribution, and also state the degrees of freedom of this chi-squared distribution.
Solution: First, note that Y is normal with
n

E(Y ) = ai E(Xi ) = ai = ai = 0,
i=1

i=1

Now let b = 1/ ni=1 a2i . Then

Var(Y ) =

i=1

b Y N (0, 1), so bY 2 21 .

a2i
i=1

Var(Xi ) = a2i .
i=1

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

5. A sequence of random variables Yn is said to converge in probability to , written as


Yn P , if P (Yn M ) 0 for every M R. Let {Xn n 1} be a sequence of iid
continuous random variables with pdf f (x), where f (x) > 0 for all x R. Show that
max Xi P .
1in

Solution: Let M R, and let F (M ) = f (x) dx. Then


F (M ) = 1

f (x) dx < 1

since f (x) > 0 for all x R. Then since X1 , X2 , . . . are iid,


n

P (max Xi M ) = P (Xi M ) = [P (X1 M )] = [F (M )] 0


1in

i=1

since F (M ) < 1. Thus, max1in Xi P .

6. Let X be a discrete random variable with pmf f (x), where R is unknown. Let
X = {x R f (x) > 0} denote the support of the pmf f (x), and suppose that X does
not depend on . Now suppose that we have a prior () such that the prior mean exists
and is finite, i.e.,
< () d < .

Show that the posterior mean E( X = x) exists and is finite for all data values x X .
Hints: For a sum to be finite, it is necessary (though not sufficient) for every term in the
sum to be finite. Also, since X does not depend on , the marginal distribution of X is
strictly positive for all x X , i.e., m(x) > 0 for all x X .
Solution (Method I): The prior () is simply the marginal distribution of , so
the prior mean is E(). By the law of total expectation,
E() = E[E( X)] = E( X = x) P (X = x) = E( X = x) m(x).
xX

xX

Since E() is finite, every term in the sum must be finite. Then E( X = x) must be
finite for all x X , noting that m(x) > 0 for all x X .

Solution (Method II): First, note that f (x) 1 for all x X and all R since it
is a pmf. Then
E( X = x) = ( X = x) d ( X = x) d =

f (x) ()
d
m(x)

1
() d < ,
m(x)

noting that m(x) > 0 for all x X and () d = E() is finite since E() (which
is just the prior mean) is finite.

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

7. Construct an example of a sequence of random variables {Xn n 1}, a limiting random


variable X, and a set A R such that Xn D X, but P (X A) = 1 while P (Xn A) = 0
for all n 1.
Hint: If your example takes more than one or two lines to explain, then it is more
complicated than it needs to be.
Solution: Many examples are possible, e.g., Xn N (0, n1 ), X = 0, and A = {0}.

8. Let X1 , . . . , Xn be iid random variables such that E,2 (X1 ) = and Var,2 (X1 ) = 2 are
both finite. However, suppose that X1 , . . . , Xn are not normally distributed. Define
Xn =

1 n
Xi ,
n i=1

Sn2 =

n
1
1 n
2
2
[ Xi2 n( X n ) ].
(Xi X n ) =
n 1 i=1
n 1 i=1

(a) Do we know for certain that X n and Sn2 are independent?


Note: A simple of answer of Yes or No is good enough.
Solution: No, since X1 , . . . , Xn are not normally distributed. (An explanation
is not required.)

(b) Do we know for certain that (n 1)Sn2 / 2 has a 2n1 distribution?


Note: A simple of answer of Yes or No is good enough.
Solution: No, since X1 , . . . , Xn are not normally distributed. (An explanation
is not required.)

(c) Do we know for certain that Sn2 is an unbiased estimator of 2 ?


Note: A simple of answer of Yes or No is good enough.
Solution: Yes, since
n
1
2
{ E,2 (Xi2 ) n E,2 [( X n ) ]}
n 1 i=1
n
2
2
=
{[E,2 (X1 )] + Var,2 (X1 ) [ E,2 ( X n )] Var,2 ( X n )}
n1
n
2
n n1 2
=
(2 + 2 2 ) =
(
) = 2 .
n1
n
n1 n

E,2 (Sn2 ) =

(An explanation is not required.)

(d) Do we know for certain that Sn2 is the maximum likelihood estimator of 2 ?
Note: A simple of answer of Yes or No is good enough.
Solution: No, since we dont even know what the likelihood function is. Also
note that even if X1 , . . . , Xn were normally distributed, Sn2 wouldnt be the MLE
of 2 anyway. (An explanation is not required.)

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

9. Let X1 , . . . , Xn iid Beta(1, ), where > 0 is unknown.


Note: The Beta(1, ) distribution has pdf

(1 x)1
f (x) =

if 0 < x < 1,
otherwise.

Also,
E (X1 ) =

1
,
1+

Var (X1 ) =

.
(1 + )2 (2 + )

You may use these facts without proof.


(a) Find the maximum likelihood estimator nMLE of .
Note: Recall that any logarithm of a number between 0 and 1 is negative.
Solution: Differentiating the log-likelihood yields
n

[n log + ( 1) log(1 Xi )]

i=1
n n
n
.
= + log(1 Xi ) = 0 = n
i=1
i=1 log(1 Xi )

`Xn () =

This point is the only critical point, and it can be seen from the form of the loglikelihood that `Xn () both as 0 and as . Then the critical point is
indeed the maximum, and
nMLE =

.
n
i=1 log(1 Xi )

(The justification for why the critical point is indeed the maximum is not required
for full credit since this fact is fairly obvious by inspection of the log-likelihood.)
(b) Do we know for certain that nMLE is an unbiased estimator of ?
Note: A simple of answer of Yes or No is good enough.
Solution: No. There is no reason why it necessarily must be, and indeed it isnt.
(An explanation is not required.)

(c) Let = 1/(1 + ) = E (X1 ), and define


n

X n = n1 Xi .
i=1

Do we know for certain that X n is an unbiased estimator of ?


Note: A simple of answer of Yes or No is good enough.
Solution: Yes, since E(X n ) = n1 ni=1 E (X1 ) = 1/(1 + ) = . (An explanation
is not required.)

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

(d) Define the estimator


1
1.
n =
Xn
Do we know for certain that n is an unbiased estimator of ?
Note: A simple of answer of Yes or No is good enough.
Solution: No, since E(1/X n ) 1/E(X n ). (An explanation is not required.)
(e) Find the asymptotic distribution of n .
Note: Your answer should be a formal probabilistic result involving convergence in
distribution.
Solution: By the central limit theorem,

n ( Xn

) D N [0,
].
1+
(1 + )2 (2 + )

Now let g(t) = t1 1, so that = g[1/(1 + )] and n = g( X n ). Then g (t) = t2 ,


and
1
1
)=
= (1 + )2 .
g(
2
1+
[1/(1 + )]
Next, observe that
[g (

2
1

(1 + )4
(1 + )2
)]
=
=
.
1+
(1 + )2 (2 + ) (1 + )2 (2 + )
2+

Then

(1 + )2
n (n ) D N [0,
]
2+

by the delta method.

10. Let X1 , X2 , . . . be a sequence of Unif(0, 1) random variables. For each n 1, let Yn have
a Bin(m, xn ) distribution conditional on Xn = xn , where m 1 is an integer.
(a) Find E(Y1 ) and Var(Y1 ) (not conditional on X1 ).
Note: The Unif(0, 1) distribution has mean 1/2 and variance 1/12, and the Bin(m, )
distribution has mean m and variance m(1 ). You may use any of these facts
without proof.
Solution: By the laws of total expectation and variance,
m
E(Y1 ) = E[E(Y1 X1 )] = E(mX1 ) = ,
2
Var(Y1 ) = E[Var(Y1 X1 )] + Var[E(Y1 X1 )]
= E[mX1 (1 X1 )] + Var[mX1 ]
= m E(X1 ) m E(X12 ) + m2 Var(X1 )
=

m
1
1 2
m2 m(m + 2)
m[ + ( ) ] +
=
,
2
12
2
12
12

where we have used the fact that E(X12 ) = Var(X1 ) + [E(X1 )]2 .

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

(b) For each n 1, let Zn = ni=1 Yi . Find sequences of constants bn and cn such that
bn (Zn cn ) D N (0, 1).
Solution: By the central limit theorem,
Zn m
m(m + 2)
n(
) D N [0,
],
n
2
12
or equivalently,

Thus, bn =

12
mn
(Zn
) D N (0, 1).
m(m + 2) n
2

12/[m(m + 2)n] and cn = m n/2.

11. Let X1 , X2 , . . . be a sequence of random variables, where each Xn has pdf

n exp(nx)
f (Xn ) (x) =

if x 0,
if x < 0.

Prove that Xn P 0.
Solution: The cdf of each Xn is
F

(Xn )

1 exp(nx)
(x) =

if x 0,
if x < 0.

Then for any > 0, P (Xn 0 > ) = P (Xn > ) = 1 F (Xn ) () = exp(n) 0.

12. Let X1 , X2 , . . . be iid N (, 2 ) random variables, and let X n and Sn2 be the usual sample
mean and sample variance (respectively) of the first n observations, i.e.,
Xn =

1 n
Xi ,
n i=1

Sn2 =

1 n
1 n 2
n
2
2
(X
)
(X ) .

X
=
i
Xi
n 1 i=1
n 1 i=1
n1

(a) Show that Sn2 P 2 as n .


Solution: Note that E(X1 ) = and E(X12 ) = 2 + 2 , so
X=

1 n
Xi P ,
n i=1

1 n 2
X P 2 + 2
n i=1 i

by the weak law of large numbers. Then ( X )2 P 2 by the continuous mapping


theorem. Now rewrite Sn2 as
Sn2 =

n 1 n 2
2
[ Xi ( X ) ].
n 1 n i=1

The result now follows from the hint and the fact that n/(n 1) 1.

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

(b) Now suppose that X1 , X2 , . . . are iid with mean and variance 2 (both finite), but
their distribution is not normal. What additional conditions (if any) are needed on
this distribution for the result of part (a) to hold?
Solution: No additional conditions are needed. The proof in part (a) needs only
that and 2 are finite.

13. Let X1 , . . . , Xn be iid continuous random variables with pdf

2x exp(x2 ) if x 0,
f (x) =

if x < 0,

0
where > 0 is unknown. Suppose we assign a Gamma(a, b) prior to , where a > 0 and
b > 0 are known.
Note: The Gamma(a, b) distribution has pdf

ba

a1

(a) x exp(bx)
f (x) =

if x > 0,
if x 0,

and its mean is a/b. You may use these facts without proof.
(a) Find the posterior distribution of .
Solution: Ignoring terms that do not depend on , the posterior is
n

( xn ) n exp( x2i ) a1 exp(b) 1(0,) ()


i=1

a+n1 exp[(b + x2i )] 1(0,) (),


i=1

which we recognize as the unnormalized pdf of a Gamma(a + n, b + ni=1 x2i ) distribution. Thus, xn Gamma(a + n, b + ni=1 x2i ).

(b) Find (or simply state) the posterior mean of .


Solution: The posterior mean of is simply E( xn ) = (a + n)/(b + ni=1 x2i ).
14. Let X and Y be discrete random variables with the following joint pmf:
f (X,Y ) (0, 0) = 0.1,

f (X,Y ) (0, 1) = 0.4,

f (X,Y ) (1, 0) = 0.3,

f (X,Y ) (1, 1) = 0.2,

with f (X,Y ) (x, y) = 0 for all other values of x and y. Find E(Y X = 0).
Solution: First, the conditional pmf of Y X = 0 is
f (X,Y ) (0, 0)
0.1
0.1
f (X,Y ) (0, 0)
=
=
=
= 0.2,
(X)
(X,Y
)
(X,Y
)
f (0)
f
(0, 0) + f
(0, 1) 0.1 + 0.4 0.5
f (Y X) (1 0) = 1 f (Y X) (0 0) = 1 0.2 = 0.8.
f (Y X) (0 0) =

Thus, E(Y X = 0) = 0 f (Y X) (0 0) + 1 f (Y X) (1 0) = 0.8.

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

10

15. Let X1 , . . . , Xn be iid random variables with pdf

(x 1)2

exp[
]

2 x3
2x
f (x) =

if x > 0,
if x 0,

where > 0 is unknown. Find the maximum likelihood estimator of .


Solution: The log-likelihood is
`x () =

n
n
3 n
n (xi 1)2
log log(2) log xi
.
2
2
2 i=1
2 i=1
xi

Differentiating yields
1

n 1 n (xi 1)2
1 n (xi 1)2
`x () =

= 0 = [
] .

2 2 i=1
xi
n i=1
xi
Since there is only one critical point and `x () as 0 and as , it is clear
that this point is indeed the maximum. Hence,
n
2
= [ 1 (Xi 1) ]

n i=1
Xi

is the maximum likelihood estimator of .


16. Let X1 , . . . , Xn be iid random variables with pdf

1
f (x) =

if < x < + 1,
otherwise,

where R is unknown. Show that a maximum likelihood estimator of exists but is


not unique.
Solution: The likelihood is
n

Lx () = 1(, +1) (xi ) = 1(,) (min xi ) 1(, +1) (max xi )


i=1

1in

1
=

1in

if max1in xi 1 < < min1in xi ,


otherwise.

Then for all possible observed values x, the maximum likelihood estimate can be taken
as any value such that max1in xi 1 < < min1in xi . There are infinitely many such
values since max1in xi 1 < min1in xi . Thus, a maximum likelihood estimator exists
but is not unique.

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

11

17. Let X1 , . . . , Xn iid Poisson() conditional on , and let the prior on be Gamma(a, b).
Note: The Poisson() distribution has pmf
x exp()
for x {0, 1, 2, . . .}
(zero for all other x),
x!
with mean and variance . The Gamma(a, b) distribution has pdf
f (x) =

f (x) =

ba
xa1 exp(bx)
(a)

for x > 0

(zero for x 0),

with mean a/b and variance a/b2 .


(a) Find the posterior distribution of .
Solution: Ignoring constants, the posterior distribution of is (for > 0)
n

(2 x) [ xi exp()] a1 exp(b) i=1 xi +a1 exp[(n + b)].


n

i=1

We recognize this as an unnormalized Gamma(a + ni=1 xi , b + n) distribution. Thus,


x Gamma(a + ni=1 xi , b + n).

(b) Find (or simply state) the posterior mean of .


Solution: The posterior mean is
a + ni=1 xi
,
E( x) =
b+n
where we have used the result about the mean of a gamma distribution.
18. Let X1 , . . . , Xn be iid random variables with pdf

2x exp(x2 )
f (x) =

0
where > 0 is unknown.

if x 0,
if x < 0,

(a) Find the maximum likelihood estimator of .


Solution: The log-likelihood is (for > 0)
n

i=1

i=1

`x () = n log + n log 2 x2i + log xi .


Differentiating yields
n n 2
n

`x () = xi = 0 = n 2 .

i=1
i=1 xi
This is the only critical point, and `x () as 0 and as . Thus,
n
= n
i=1 Xi2
is the maximum likelihood estimator of .

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

12

(b) Now suppose that instead of > 0, we take the parameter space to be {1, 2}, i.e.,
it is known with certainty that either = 1 or = 2. Find the maximum likelihood
of estimator of under this new restriction.
Solution: At = 1 and = 2, the log-likelihood is
n

`x (1) = x2i ,

`x (2) = n log 2 2 x2i .

i=1

i=1

Observe that
`x (1) `x (2)

1 n 2
x log 2.
n i=1 i

Thus, the maximum likelihood estimator for this parameter space is

if
if

1
n
1
n

n
i=1 Xi2 log 2,
n
i=1 Xi2 < log 2.

(Note that we can take either = 1 or = 2 when

1
n

i=1 Xi2 = log 2.)


n

19. An incorrect result and its incorrect proof are shown below.
(Incorrect) Result: Students t distribution with one degree of freedom is a
discrete distribution that takes values +1 and 1 with probability 1/2 each.
(Incorrect) Proof: Let Z N (0, 1). ThenZ 2 has a chi-squared distribution with
one degree of freedom, and hence T = Z/ Z 2 has a Students t distribution with
one degree of freedom. However, T = Z/ Z 2 = Z/Z, which is either +1 or 1
according to whether Z > 0 or Z < 0, each of which occurs with probability 1/2.
State (in one or two sentences) why this proof of this result is incorrect.

Solution: The random variables Z and Z 2 are not independent, so T = Z/ Z 2 does


not necessarily have a Students t distribution.

20. Let X be a single discrete random variable with pmf


f (0) = (1 )/2,

f (1) = 1/2,

f (2) = /2,

f (x) = 0 for all x {0, 1, 2},

where is unknown and 0 1. A maximum likelihood estimator of is

(X) =

if X = 0,
if X > 0.

(You do not need to show this.)


(a) Find the bias of (as an estimator of ).
= E ()
= (1/2 + /2) = (1 )/2.
Solution: Bias ()

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

13

(b) Let = [0, 1] = { R 0 1} denote the parameter space. Show that for every

unbiased estimator of , there exists x {0, 1, 2} such that (x)


. (The value
of x need not be the same for all unbiased estimators.)
Solution: Let be an unbiased estimator of , and let tx denote the value that
takes when X = x for each x {0, 1, 2}. Then
= (1 )t0 + t1 + t2 = 1 [(t0 + t1 ) + (t2 t0 )],
E ()
2
2
2
2
which must equal for all since is unbiased. Thus, we must have (t0 +t1 )/2 = 0
and (t2 t0 )/2 = 1, which implies that t2 = t0 + 2. Then t0 and t2 cannot both be

in , so either (0)
or (2)
.

21. Let X1 , . . . , Xn iid N (0, 2 ), where 2 > 0 is unknown. Suppose our prior pdf for 2 is

ba
1 a+1
b

(a) 2 ) exp( 2 )
2
( ) =

if 2 > 0,
if 2 0,

where a > 0 and b > 0.


Note: This is called the InverseGamma(a, b) distribution. Its mean is b/(a 1) if a > 1
(and if a 1). Its mode is b/(a + 1) (regardless of the value of a). You may use these
facts without proof.
(a) Find the posterior distribution of 2 .
Solution: Ignoring constants, the posterior distribution of 2 is (for 2 > 0)
n
x2
1 a+1
b
1
( 2 x) [ exp( i2 )] ( 2 ) exp( 2 )
2

2
i=1
1
1 n
( 2 )[a+(n/2)+1] exp[ 2 (b + x2i )].

2 i=1

We recognize this as an unnormalized InverseGamma(a+ n2 , b+ 12 ni=1 x2i ) distribution.


Thus, 2 x InverseGamma(a + n2 , b + 12 ni=1 x2i ).

(b) Find the posterior mean of 2 . (Be sure that your answer is correct for all possible
values of a > 0, b > 0, and n 1.)
Solution: If a + n2 > 1 (i.e., if n 2 or a > 21 ), then the posterior mean is
E( 2 x) =

b + 12 ni=1 x2i 2b + ni=1 x2i


=
.
a + n2 1
2a + n 2

If instead n = 1 and a 12 , then E( 2 x) = .

Solutions to Midterm Exam Sample Questions

14

(c) Find the posterior mode of 2 .


Solution: The posterior mode is
b + 21 ni=1 x2i 2b + ni=1 x2i
arg max ( x) =
=
a + n2 + 1
2a + n + 2
2 >0
2

regardless of the values of n and a.

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