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A distribution whose variance is infinite

Question

Give an example of a probability distribution that does not have a finite variance.

Short answer

For example, the density f(x)=2x−3f(x)=2x^{-3} on [1,∞)[1,\infty). Its mean is ∫1∞2x−2dx=2\int_1^\infty 2x^{-2}dx=2, but E[X2]=∫1∞2x−1dx\mathbb{E}[X^2]=\int_1^\infty 2x^{-1}dx diverges. A Student tt with 22 degrees of freedom also works; the Cauchy distribution is a further example, though its mean is undefined as well.

Adapted from Joshi, Denson & Downes, Quant Job Interview Questions and Answers, Q3.30, p.83; question and answer rewritten by SelfMadeQuant.com.

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