MLE of Binomial

Discussion in 'CT3' started by shrutigupta17, Mar 26, 2010.

  1. shrutigupta17

    shrutigupta17 Member

    When I am finding the MLE of Binomial distribution with parameters n and p:

    I am confused at this step:

    L(p) = ∏ (n xi) ( p^xi ) ( (1-p)^(n-xi) )

    then it changes to :

    ln L(p) = constant x [∑xi x ln (p)] x [∑(n-xi) x ln (1-p)]

    In this equation ln (1-p) is multiplied by ∑(n-xi) = n² -∑ xi, but all books say n-∑xi

    Can anyone please explain me where am I going wrong?

    Cheers
    S
     
  2. DevonMatthews

    DevonMatthews Member

    Hello Shruti,

    The problem is we n samples, from a Bi(>>M<<,p) distribution, so the likelihood function you have written down is incorrect, it should be L(p) = ∏(i=1->n) (m xi) ( p^xi ) ( (1-p)^(m-xi) . I wont do any more because you obviously know what you're doing, you just made a minor slip up.

    Best of luck for the forthcoming exam.
     
  3. shrutigupta17

    shrutigupta17 Member

    Hey, Thanks for the help. However when I tried evaluating the ∏(1-p)^(m-xi) part I had a slight problem:

    L(p) = ∏(i=1->n) (m xi) ( p^xi ) (1-p)^(m-xi)

    the last part is: (1-p)^(m-x1) * (1-p)^(m-x2) * .............* (1-p)^(m-xn)

    Now when we add up the coefficients we should get nm - ∑(i=1->n) xi ,
    however the books say m - ∑(i=1->n) xi, which I didnt understand.

    Thanks in advance

    Cheers
     
  4. DevonMatthews

    DevonMatthews Member

    Why are you expanding the product literally? It's alot easier if you maximise the logL(p) and use the fact that the log of a product is equal to the sum of the logs. You should have Sum(i=1->n) [Log (m xi) + xiLogp + (m-xi)log(1-p)]. Differentiating that with respect to p gives the required answer
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 1, 2010
  5. shrutigupta17

    shrutigupta17 Member

    Thanks Devon, it really helped me....all the best for the exams
     

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