Question:medium

If, \(X \sim N(\theta, 1)\) and in order to test \(H_0: \theta=1\) against the alternate \(H_1: \theta=2\) a random sample \((x_1, x_2)\) of size 2 is taken. Then, the best critical region (B.C.R.) is given by (where \(Z_\alpha = 1.64\))

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The Neyman-Pearson Lemma is the fundamental tool for finding the most powerful test for simple hypotheses. The process always involves setting up the likelihood ratio, simplifying it to a condition on a sufficient statistic (like the sum or mean), and then using the size of the test \(\alpha\) to find the exact critical value.
Updated On: Feb 18, 2026
  • \( W = \{(x_1, x_2): x_1 + x_2 \ge 4.32\} \)
  • \( W = \{(x_1, x_2): x_1 + x_2 \ge 1.64\} \)
  • \( W = \{(x_1, x_2): x_1 + x_2 \ge 2\} \)
  • \( W = \{(x_1, x_2): x_1 + x_2 \ge 3.96\} \)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Concept Introduction:
To determine the Best Critical Region (BCR) for a simple null hypothesis test against a simple alternative, the Neyman-Pearson Lemma is applied. This lemma indicates the BCR is defined by the likelihood ratio.

Step 2: Core Formula:
According to the Neyman-Pearson Lemma, the BCR with a size of \(\alpha\) is a region W, defined by: \[ W = \left\{ \mathbf{x} : \frac{L(\theta_1 | \mathbf{x})}{L(\theta_0 | \mathbf{x})} \ge k \right\} \] where \(L\) represents the likelihood function. The value of \(k\) is selected such that \(P(\mathbf{X} \in W | \theta_0) = \alpha\).

Step 3: Detailed Solution:
In this case, \(\theta_0 = 1\) and \(\theta_1 = 2\). The probability density function (PDF) is given by \(f(x;\theta) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}}e^{-(x-\theta)^2/2}\).The likelihood function for a sample size of 2 is \(L(\theta) = f(x_1;\theta)f(x_2;\theta)\).The likelihood ratio is expressed as: \[ \frac{L(2)}{L(1)} = \frac{e^{-(x_1-2)^2/2}e^{-(x_2-2)^2/2}}{e^{-(x_1-1)^2/2}e^{-(x_2-1)^2/2}} = \exp\left[-\frac{1}{2}\left(\sum(x_i-2)^2 - \sum(x_i-1)^2\right)\right] \] Simplifying the exponent: \[ \sum(x_i-2)^2 - \sum(x_i-1)^2 = \sum(x_i^2-4x_i+4) - \sum(x_i^2-2x_i+1) = \sum(-2x_i+3) = -2\sum x_i + 2(3) = -2(x_1+x_2)+6 \] The likelihood ratio test \(\frac{L(2)}{L(1)} \ge k\) is then: \[ \exp\left[-\frac{1}{2}(-2(x_1+x_2)+6)\right] \ge k \] \[ \exp(x_1+x_2-3) \ge k \] Applying the natural logarithm to both sides: \[ x_1+x_2-3 \ge \ln(k) \implies x_1+x_2 \ge 3+\ln(k) \] Therefore, the BCR takes the form \(x_1+x_2 \ge k'\), where \(k'\) is a constant.To determine \(k'\), we use the test size, \(\alpha\). Given that \(P(Z>1.64) = \alpha\), then \(\alpha \approx 0.05\).\[ \alpha = P(\text{Reject } H_0 | H_0 \text{ is true}) = P(X_1+X_2 \ge k' | \theta=1) \] Under \(H_0: \theta=1\), \(X_1, X_2\) are independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) with a \(N(1, 1)\) distribution.Let \(S = X_1+X_2\). S follows a Normal distribution with:- Mean: \(E(S) = E(X_1) + E(X_2) = 1+1=2\)- Variance: \(\text{Var}(S) = \text{Var}(X_1) + \text{Var}(X_2) = 1+1=2\)Thus, under \(H_0\), \(S \sim N(2, 2)\).Standardizing the probability: \[ P\left( \frac{S - E(S)}{\sqrt{\text{Var}(S)}} \ge \frac{k' - 2}{\sqrt{2}} \right) = \alpha \] \[ P\left( Z \ge \frac{k' - 2}{\sqrt{2}} \right) = \alpha \] Given \(P(Z \ge 1.64) = \alpha\), we have: \[ \frac{k' - 2}{\sqrt{2}} = 1.64 \] \[ k' - 2 = 1.64\sqrt{2} \approx 1.64 \times 1.4142 = 2.3193 \] \[ k' = 2 + 2.3193 = 4.3193 \] Rounding to two decimal places, \(k' = 4.32\).
Step 4: Solution:
The best critical region is \( W = \{(x_1, x_2): x_1 + x_2 \ge 4.32\} \).
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