Module 6 · Probability and Random Variables Lesson 60 of 120
Covariance and Correlation of Random Variables
Dependence in shared credit or insurance losses.
Transcript
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Are X and Y independent when Y=X² and covariance is zero?
Code lab
Run it yourself
The lesson source in 7 languages. Edit it, run TypeScript and Python right here, and compare with the expected output.
/**
* Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 060 of 120
* Covariance and Correlation of Random Variables
* Module 06: Probability and Random Variables
*
* Scenario: Dependence in shared credit or insurance losses
* Rule: Cov(X,Y)=E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]
*
* Try it: Are X and Y independent when Y=X² and covariance is zero?
*
* Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/probability-and-random-variables/covariance-and-correlation-of-random-variables/
* Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
* Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
*/
export function lesson060() {
const states=[{x:-1,y:1,p:.25},{x:0,y:0,p:.5},{x:1,y:1,p:.25}];
const ex=states.reduce((s,a)=>s+a.p*a.x,0);
const ey=states.reduce((s,a)=>s+a.p*a.y,0);
const covariance=states.reduce((s,a)=>s+a.p*(a.x-ex)*(a.y-ey),0);
const result={ex,ey,covariance};
return result;
}
export const checkedResult = {"ex":0,"ey":0.5,"covariance":0};
// Run this file directly: npx tsx lessons/06-probability-and-random-variables/060-covariance-and-correlation-of-random-variables.ts
if (process.argv[1] && import.meta.url.endsWith(process.argv[1].replace(/\\/g, "/").split("/").pop()!)) {
console.log(JSON.stringify(lesson060(), null, 2));
}
Your output
Press Run to execute the code in your browser.
Expected output
{
"ex": 0,
"ey": 0.5,
"covariance": 0
}# Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 060 of 120
# Covariance and Correlation of Random Variables
# Module 06: Probability and Random Variables
#
# Scenario: Dependence in shared credit or insurance losses
# Rule: Cov(X,Y)=E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]
#
# Try it: Are X and Y independent when Y=X² and covariance is zero?
#
# Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/probability-and-random-variables/covariance-and-correlation-of-random-variables/
# Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
# Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
import json
def lesson060() -> dict:
states = [
{"x": -1, "y": 1, "p": 0.25},
{"x": 0, "y": 0, "p": 0.5},
{"x": 1, "y": 1, "p": 0.25},
]
ex = sum(s["p"] * s["x"] for s in states)
ey = sum(s["p"] * s["y"] for s in states)
covariance = sum(s["p"] * (s["x"] - ex) * (s["y"] - ey) for s in states)
return {"ex": ex, "ey": ey, "covariance": covariance}
if __name__ == "__main__":
print(json.dumps(lesson060(), indent=2))
Your output
Press Run to execute the code in your browser.
Expected output
{
"ex": 0,
"ey": 0.5,
"covariance": 0
}/**
* Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 060 of 120
* Covariance and Correlation of Random Variables
* Module 06: Probability and Random Variables
*
* Scenario: Dependence in shared credit or insurance losses
* Rule: Cov(X,Y)=E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]
*
* Try it: Are X and Y independent when Y=X² and covariance is zero?
*
* Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/probability-and-random-variables/covariance-and-correlation-of-random-variables/
* Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
* Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
*/
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;
public class Main {
// One joint outcome (x, y) with its probability p.
static class State {
final double x, y, p;
State(double x, double y, double p) {
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
this.p = p;
}
}
static Map<String, Object> lesson060() {
State[] states = {new State(-1, 1, 0.25), new State(0, 0, 0.5), new State(1, 1, 0.25)};
double ex = 0, ey = 0;
for (State s : states) {
ex += s.p * s.x;
ey += s.p * s.y;
}
double covariance = 0;
for (State s : states) covariance += s.p * (s.x - ex) * (s.y - ey);
Map<String, Object> result = new LinkedHashMap<String, Object>();
result.put("ex", ex);
result.put("ey", ey);
result.put("covariance", covariance);
return result;
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(toJson(lesson060(), ""));
}
// --- Minimal JSON printer: maps keep insertion order, 2-space indent. ---
static String toJson(Object value, String indent) {
if (value == null) return "null";
if (value instanceof String) return "\"" + value + "\"";
if (value instanceof Double) return formatNumber((Double) value);
if (value instanceof Number) return value.toString();
if (value instanceof double[]) {
List<Object> items = new ArrayList<Object>();
for (double v : (double[]) value) items.add(v);
return toJson(items, indent);
}
String inner = indent + " ";
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
if (value instanceof Map) {
Map<?, ?> map = (Map<?, ?>) value;
if (map.isEmpty()) return "{}";
sb.append("{\n");
int i = 0;
for (Map.Entry<?, ?> entry : map.entrySet()) {
sb.append(inner).append('"').append(entry.getKey()).append("\": ")
.append(toJson(entry.getValue(), inner))
.append(++i < map.size() ? ",\n" : "\n");
}
return sb.append(indent).append('}').toString();
}
List<?> list = (List<?>) value;
if (list.isEmpty()) return "[]";
sb.append("[\n");
for (int i = 0; i < list.size(); i++) {
sb.append(inner).append(toJson(list.get(i), inner))
.append(i + 1 < list.size() ? ",\n" : "\n");
}
return sb.append(indent).append(']').toString();
}
static String formatNumber(double v) {
if (Double.isNaN(v) || Double.isInfinite(v)) return "null";
if (v == Math.rint(v) && Math.abs(v) < 1e15) return Long.toString((long) v);
return Double.toString(v);
}
}
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Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"ex": 0,
"ey": 0.5,
"covariance": 0
}// Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 060 of 120
// Covariance and Correlation of Random Variables
// Module 06: Probability and Random Variables
//
// Scenario: Dependence in shared credit or insurance losses
// Rule: Cov(X,Y)=E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]
//
// Try it: Are X and Y independent when Y=X² and covariance is zero?
//
// Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/probability-and-random-variables/covariance-and-correlation-of-random-variables/
// Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
// Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
package main
import (
"encoding/json"
"fmt"
)
// State is one joint outcome (x, y) with its probability p.
type State struct {
X, Y, P float64
}
// Covariance holds both expectations and the covariance of X and Y.
type Covariance struct {
EX float64 `json:"ex"`
EY float64 `json:"ey"`
Covariance float64 `json:"covariance"`
}
func lesson060() Covariance {
states := []State{{X: -1, Y: 1, P: 0.25}, {X: 0, Y: 0, P: 0.5}, {X: 1, Y: 1, P: 0.25}}
ex, ey := 0.0, 0.0
for _, s := range states {
ex += s.P * s.X
ey += s.P * s.Y
}
covariance := 0.0
for _, s := range states {
covariance += s.P * (s.X - ex) * (s.Y - ey)
}
return Covariance{EX: ex, EY: ey, Covariance: covariance}
}
func main() {
out, _ := json.MarshalIndent(lesson060(), "", " ")
fmt.Println(string(out))
}
No browser runner for Go yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"ex": 0,
"ey": 0.5,
"covariance": 0
}/**
* Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 060 of 120
* Covariance and Correlation of Random Variables
* Module 06: Probability and Random Variables
*
* Scenario: Dependence in shared credit or insurance losses
* Rule: Cov(X,Y)=E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]
*
* Try it: Are X and Y independent when Y=X² and covariance is zero?
*
* Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/probability-and-random-variables/covariance-and-correlation-of-random-variables/
* Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
* Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
*/
#include <charconv>
#include <cmath>
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
#include <utility>
#include <vector>
// --- Minimal JSON value and printer: objects keep insertion order, 2-space indent. ---
struct Json {
enum class Kind { Null, Number, Text, Array, Object };
Kind kind = Kind::Null;
double number = 0;
std::string text;
std::vector<std::string> keys; // object keys, parallel to items
std::vector<Json> items; // array elements or object values
};
Json num(double v) { Json j; j.kind = Json::Kind::Number; j.number = v; return j; }
Json str(const std::string& s) { Json j; j.kind = Json::Kind::Text; j.text = s; return j; }
Json arr(const std::vector<Json>& values) { Json j; j.kind = Json::Kind::Array; j.items = values; return j; }
Json arr(const std::vector<double>& values) {
std::vector<Json> items;
for (double v : values) items.push_back(num(v));
return arr(items);
}
Json obj(const std::vector<std::pair<std::string, Json>>& fields) {
Json j;
j.kind = Json::Kind::Object;
for (const auto& [key, value] : fields) { j.keys.push_back(key); j.items.push_back(value); }
return j;
}
std::string formatNumber(double v) {
if (!std::isfinite(v)) return "null";
char buf[64];
auto end = std::to_chars(buf, buf + sizeof buf, v).ptr; // shortest round-trip form
return std::string(buf, end);
}
void writeJson(std::ostream& out, const Json& j, const std::string& indent) {
switch (j.kind) {
case Json::Kind::Null: out << "null"; return;
case Json::Kind::Number: out << formatNumber(j.number); return;
case Json::Kind::Text: out << '"' << j.text << '"'; return;
default: break;
}
bool isObject = j.kind == Json::Kind::Object;
if (j.items.empty()) { out << (isObject ? "{}" : "[]"); return; }
std::string inner = indent + " ";
out << (isObject ? "{\n" : "[\n");
for (size_t i = 0; i < j.items.size(); ++i) {
out << inner;
if (isObject) out << '"' << j.keys[i] << "\": ";
writeJson(out, j.items[i], inner);
out << (i + 1 < j.items.size() ? ",\n" : "\n");
}
out << indent << (isObject ? '}' : ']');
}
// --- Lesson ---
struct State {
double x, y, p; // one joint outcome (x, y) with its probability p
};
Json lesson060() {
const std::vector<State> states = {{-1, 1, 0.25}, {0, 0, 0.5}, {1, 1, 0.25}};
double ex = 0, ey = 0;
for (const auto& s : states) {
ex += s.p * s.x;
ey += s.p * s.y;
}
double covariance = 0;
for (const auto& s : states) covariance += s.p * (s.x - ex) * (s.y - ey);
return obj({{"ex", num(ex)}, {"ey", num(ey)}, {"covariance", num(covariance)}});
}
int main() {
writeJson(std::cout, lesson060(), "");
std::cout << '\n';
}
No browser runner for C++ yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"ex": 0,
"ey": 0.5,
"covariance": 0
}// Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 060 of 120
// Covariance and Correlation of Random Variables
// Module 06: Probability and Random Variables
//
// Scenario: Dependence in shared credit or insurance losses
// Rule: Cov(X,Y)=E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]
//
// Try it: Are X and Y independent when Y=X² and covariance is zero?
//
// Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/probability-and-random-variables/covariance-and-correlation-of-random-variables/
// Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
// Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
// --- Minimal JSON value and printer: objects keep insertion order, 2-space indent. ---
#[allow(dead_code)]
enum Json {
Null,
Num(f64),
Str(String),
Arr(Vec<Json>),
Obj(Vec<(String, Json)>),
}
#[allow(dead_code)]
fn nums(values: &[f64]) -> Json {
Json::Arr(values.iter().map(|&v| Json::Num(v)).collect())
}
#[allow(dead_code)]
fn obj(fields: Vec<(&str, Json)>) -> Json {
Json::Obj(fields.into_iter().map(|(k, v)| (k.to_string(), v)).collect())
}
fn format_number(v: f64) -> String {
if !v.is_finite() {
return "null".to_string();
}
if v.fract() == 0.0 && v.abs() < 1e15 {
return format!("{}", v as i64);
}
format!("{:?}", v) // shortest round-trip form
}
impl Json {
fn render(&self, indent: &str) -> String {
let inner = format!("{} ", indent);
match self {
Json::Null => "null".to_string(),
Json::Num(v) => format_number(*v),
Json::Str(s) => format!("\"{}\"", s),
Json::Arr(items) if items.is_empty() => "[]".to_string(),
Json::Obj(fields) if fields.is_empty() => "{}".to_string(),
Json::Arr(items) => {
let lines: Vec<String> = items.iter().map(|v| format!("{}{}", inner, v.render(&inner))).collect();
format!("[\n{}\n{}]", lines.join(",\n"), indent)
}
Json::Obj(fields) => {
let lines: Vec<String> = fields
.iter()
.map(|(k, v)| format!("{}\"{}\": {}", inner, k, v.render(&inner)))
.collect();
format!("{{\n{}\n{}}}", lines.join(",\n"), indent)
}
}
}
}
// --- Lesson ---
/// One joint outcome (x, y) with its probability p.
struct State {
x: f64,
y: f64,
p: f64,
}
fn lesson060() -> Json {
let states = [
State { x: -1.0, y: 1.0, p: 0.25 },
State { x: 0.0, y: 0.0, p: 0.5 },
State { x: 1.0, y: 1.0, p: 0.25 },
];
let ex: f64 = states.iter().map(|s| s.p * s.x).sum();
let ey: f64 = states.iter().map(|s| s.p * s.y).sum();
let covariance: f64 = states.iter().map(|s| s.p * (s.x - ex) * (s.y - ey)).sum();
obj(vec![("ex", Json::Num(ex)), ("ey", Json::Num(ey)), ("covariance", Json::Num(covariance))])
}
fn main() {
println!("{}", lesson060().render(""));
}
No browser runner for Rust yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"ex": 0,
"ey": 0.5,
"covariance": 0
}/**
* Fintech Math Bootcamp · Lesson 060 of 120
* Covariance and Correlation of Random Variables
* Module 06: Probability and Random Variables
*
* Scenario: Dependence in shared credit or insurance losses
* Rule: Cov(X,Y)=E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]
*
* Try it: Are X and Y independent when Y=X² and covariance is zero?
*
* Lesson article: https://thefintechbuilder.com/financial-mathematics-statistics-and-data-foundations/probability-and-random-variables/covariance-and-correlation-of-random-variables/
* Free course: https://courses.thefintechbuilder.com
* Synthetic teaching example, not financial advice or a production library.
*/
using System;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text.Json;
var options = new JsonSerializerOptions { WriteIndented = true };
Console.WriteLine(JsonSerializer.Serialize(Lesson060(), options));
static object Lesson060()
{
var states = new[]
{
new { x = -1.0, y = 1.0, p = 0.25 },
new { x = 0.0, y = 0.0, p = 0.5 },
new { x = 1.0, y = 1.0, p = 0.25 },
};
double ex = states.Sum(s => s.p * s.x);
double ey = states.Sum(s => s.p * s.y);
double covariance = states.Sum(s => s.p * (s.x - ex) * (s.y - ey));
return new { ex, ey, covariance };
}
No browser runner for C# yet
Read the code here, then run it in your own toolchain or a ready-made cloud workspace.
Expected output
{
"ex": 0,
"ey": 0.5,
"covariance": 0
}Prefer your own machine? Every file is in the course repository · open it in Codespaces.
Lesson notes
The rule
Cov(X,Y)=E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]