grandes-ecoles 2017 QI.A.3
Existence and domain of the MGF
Let $a$ and $b$ be two real numbers such that $a < b$. Suppose $E\left(\mathrm{e}^{aX}\right) < +\infty$ and $E\left(\mathrm{e}^{bX}\right) < +\infty$.
a) Show $\forall t \in [a,b]$, $\mathrm{e}^{tX} \leqslant \mathrm{e}^{aX} + \mathrm{e}^{bX}$. Deduce that $E\left(\mathrm{e}^{tX}\right) < +\infty$. What can we conclude about the set $\left\{t \in \mathbb{R} ; E\left(\mathrm{e}^{tX}\right) < +\infty\right\}$?
b) Let $k$ be in $\mathbb{N}$, $t$ in $]a,b[$. We denote by $\theta_{k,t,a,b}$ the function $y \in \mathbb{R} \mapsto \frac{y^{k} \mathrm{e}^{ty}}{\mathrm{e}^{ay} + \mathrm{e}^{by}}$. Determine the limits of $\theta_{k,t,a,b}$ at $+\infty$ and $-\infty$. Show that this function is bounded on $\mathbb{R}$.
c) Show that $E\left(|X|^{k} \mathrm{e}^{tX}\right) < +\infty$.
d) We return to the notations of question b). Let $k$ be in $\mathbb{N}$, $c$ and $d$ be two real numbers such that $a < c < d < b$. Show that there exists $M_{k,a,b,c,d} \in \mathbb{R}^{+}$ such that for all $t \in [c,d]$ and for all $y \in \mathbb{R}$: $\left|\theta_{k,t,a,b}(y)\right| \leqslant M_{k,a,b,c,d}$.