In probability theory, Wald's equation, Wald's identity or Wald's lemma is an important identity that simplifies the calculation of the expected value of the sum of a random number of random quantities. In its simplest form, it relates the expectation of a sum of randomly many finite-mean, identically distributed random variables to the expected number of terms in the sum and the random variables' common expectation under the condition that the number of terms in the sum is independent of the summands.
The equation is named after the mathematician Abraham Wald. An identity for the second moment is given by the Blackwell–Girshick equation.
Read more about Wald's Equation: Statement, Discussion of Assumptions, Application, A Proof Using The Optional Stopping Theorem, General Proof, Generalizations
Famous quotes containing the words wald and/or equation:
“We are the products of editing, rather than of authorship.”
—George Wald (b. 1906)
“Jail sentences have many functions, but one is surely to send a message about what our society abhors and what it values. This week, the equation was twofold: female infidelity twice as bad as male abuse, the life of a woman half as valuable as that of a man. The killing of the woman taken in adultery has a long history and survives today in many cultures. One of those is our own.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)