Taylor's Theorem and Mean Value Theorem for Random Functions and Random Variables

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Yang, Yifan, Zhou, Xiaoyu, Wang, Ming
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2021
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author Yang, Yifan
Zhou, Xiaoyu
Wang, Ming
author_facet Yang, Yifan
Zhou, Xiaoyu
Wang, Ming
contents This study addresses the often-overlooked issue of measurability at intermediate points when applying Taylor's theorems to random functions and random vectors (e.g., likelihood functions with respect to estimators) in statistics. Classical Taylor-related theorems were originally developed for deterministic settings. Consequently, they do not directly extend to stochastic functions and variables and do not inherently guarantee the measurability of intermediate points. In statistical contexts, applying these theorems without properly accounting for randomness can lead to analyses that lack well-defined probabilistic interpretations. Elementary approaches, such as pointwise constructions, are insufficient for handling random quantities and establishing measurable intermediate points. Moreover, some statistical literature has implicitly disregarded this issue, often neglecting the stochastic nature of the problem and assuming that intermediate points are measurable. To address this gap, we develop multivariate Taylor's and mean value theorems tailored for random functions and random variables under mild assumptions. We provide illustrative examples demonstrating the applicability of our results to commonly used statistical methods, including maximum likelihood estimation, $M$-estimation, and profile estimation. Our findings contribute a rigorous foundation for the applications of Taylor expansions in statistics.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2102_10429
institution arXiv
publishDate 2021
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Taylor's Theorem and Mean Value Theorem for Random Functions and Random Variables
Yang, Yifan
Zhou, Xiaoyu
Wang, Ming
Other Statistics
Statistics Theory
This study addresses the often-overlooked issue of measurability at intermediate points when applying Taylor's theorems to random functions and random vectors (e.g., likelihood functions with respect to estimators) in statistics. Classical Taylor-related theorems were originally developed for deterministic settings. Consequently, they do not directly extend to stochastic functions and variables and do not inherently guarantee the measurability of intermediate points. In statistical contexts, applying these theorems without properly accounting for randomness can lead to analyses that lack well-defined probabilistic interpretations. Elementary approaches, such as pointwise constructions, are insufficient for handling random quantities and establishing measurable intermediate points. Moreover, some statistical literature has implicitly disregarded this issue, often neglecting the stochastic nature of the problem and assuming that intermediate points are measurable. To address this gap, we develop multivariate Taylor's and mean value theorems tailored for random functions and random variables under mild assumptions. We provide illustrative examples demonstrating the applicability of our results to commonly used statistical methods, including maximum likelihood estimation, $M$-estimation, and profile estimation. Our findings contribute a rigorous foundation for the applications of Taylor expansions in statistics.
title Taylor's Theorem and Mean Value Theorem for Random Functions and Random Variables
topic Other Statistics
Statistics Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2102.10429