We have a set of n items $a_1, a_2, a_3, \cdots, a_n$ with probabilities $p_1 \ge p_2 \ge p_3 \ge \cdots \ge p_n$ ($a_i$ has probability $p_i$). We draw items from this probability distribution. Let $n_i$ be the expected number of distinct items seen before we draw $a_i$ (for the first time). How do we compute $n_i$?
Expected number of distinct items seen before a given item when drawing from a probability distribution
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probability
2 Answers
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Hints:
- $n_i=\mathrm E(N_i)$ where $N_i=\sum\limits_{k\ne i}\mathbf 1_{A_k^i}$ and $A_k^i$ denotes the event that item $a_k$ is seen before item $a_i$.
- For each $k\ne i$, $\mathrm P(A_k^i)=\dfrac{p_k}{p_k+p_i}$ (sub-hint: heads or tails).
- Hence $n_i=\underline{\qquad\qquad}$.
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0Thanks. I was thinking along the same lines, but was confused about some of the details. – 2012-07-12
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Hint : $n_i = \sum_{j \ne i} n_{ji}$ where $n_{ji}$ is $1$ if we see item $a_j$ before $a_i$, $0$ otherwise.