Let X and Y be two non-constant random variables with finite variances. The correlation coefficient ρ(X,Y) is defined by
ρ(X,Y)=(VarX)1/2(VarY)1/2E[(X−EX)(Y−EY)]
(a) Using the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality or otherwise, prove that
−1⩽ρ(X,Y)⩽1
(b) What can be said about the relationship between X and Y when either (i) ρ(X,Y)=0 or (ii) ∣ρ(X,Y)∣=1. [Proofs are not required.]
(c) Take 0⩽r⩽1 and let X,X′ be independent random variables taking values ±1 with probabilities 1/2. Set
Y={X,X′, with probability r with probability 1−r
Find ρ(X,Y).