This is a very simple sample problem from ISI MStat PSB 2006 Problem 9. It's based on point estimation and finding consistent estimator and a minimum variance unbiased estimator and recognizing the subtle relation between the two types. Go for it!
Let \(X_1,X_2,......\) be i.i.d. random variables with density \(f_{\theta}(x), \ x \in \mathbb{R}, \ \theta \in (0,1) \), being the unknown parameter. Suppose that there exists an unbiased estimator \(T\) of \(\theta\) based on sample size 1, i.e. \(E_{\theta}(T(X_1))=\theta \). Assume that \(Var(T(X_1))< \infty \).
(a) Find an estimator \(V_n\) for \(\theta\) based on \(X_1,X_2,......,X_n\) such that \(V_n\) is consistent for \(\theta \) .
(b) Let \(S_n\) be the MVUE( minimum variance unbiased estimator ) of \(\theta \) based on \(X_1,X_2,....,X_n\). Show that \(\lim_{n\to\infty}Var(S_n)=0\).
Consistent estimators
Minimum Variance Unbiased Estimators
Rao-Blackwell Theorem
Often, problems on estimation seems a bit of complicated and we feel directionless, but most cases its always beneficiary do go with the flow.
Here, it is given that \(T\) is an unbiased estimator of \(\theta \) based on one observation, and we are to find a consistent estimator for \(\theta \) based on a sample of size \(n\). Now first, we should consider what are the requisition of an estimator to be consistent?
First thing first, let us fulfill the unbiased criteria of \(V_n\), so, from each of the observation from the sample , \(X_1,X_2,.....,X_n\) , of size n, we can get as set of n unbiased estimator of \(\theta \) \( T(X_1), T(X_2), ....., T(X_n)\). So, can we write \(V_n=\frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^n(T(X_i)+a)\) ? where \(a\) is a constant, ( kept for generality). Can you verify that \(V_n\) satisfies the first requirement of being a consistent estimator?
Now, proceeding towards fulfilling the final requirement, that is the variance of \(V_n\) converges to 0 as \(n \uparrow \infty\) . Since we have defined \(V_n\) based on \(T\), and it is given that \(Var(T(X_i)) \) exists for \( i \in \mathbb{N}\), and \(X_1,X_2,...X_n\) are i.i.d. (which is a very important realization here), leads us to
\(Var(V_n)= \frac{Var(T(X_1))}{n}\) , (why ??) . So, clearly, \(Var(V_n) \downarrow 0\) a \( n \uparrow \infty\), fulfilling both required conditions for being a consistent estimator. So, \(V_n= \sum_{i=1}^n(T(X_i)+a)\) is a consistent estimator for \(\theta \).
(b) For this part one may also use Rao-Blackwell theorem, but I always prefer using as less formulas and theorem as possible, and in this case we can do the required problem from the previous part. Since given \(S_n\) is MVUE for \(\theta \) and we found that \(V_n\) is consistent for \(\theta \), so, by the nature of MVUE,
\(Var(S_n) \le Var(V_n) \), so as n gets bigger, \( \lim_{ n \to \infty} Var(S_n) \le \lim{n \to infty} Var(V_n) \Rightarrow \lim_{n \to \infty}Var(S_n) \le 0\)
again, \(Var(S_n) \ge 0\), so, \(\lim_{n \to \infty }Var(S_n)= 0\). Hence, we conclude.
Lets extend this problem a liitle bit just to increase the fun!!
Let, \(X_1,....,X_n\) are independent but not identical, but still \(T(X_1),T(X_2),.....,T(X_n)\), remains unbiased of \(\theta\) , and \(Var(T(X_i)= {\sigma_i}^2 \), and
\( Cov(T(X_i),T(X_j))=0\) if \( i \neq j \).
Can you show that of all the estimators of form \( \sum a_iT(X_i)\), where \(a_i\)'s are constants, and \(E_{\theta}(\sum a_i T(X_i))=\theta\), the estimator,
\(T*= \frac{\sum \frac{T(X_i)}{{\sigma_i}^2}}{\sum\frac{1}{{\sigma_i}^2}} \) has minimum variance.
Can you find the variance ? Think it over !!
