We consider the problem of estimating θ in the model {f(x,θ):θ∈(0,∞)}, where
f(x,θ)=(1−α)(x−θ)−α1{x∈[θ,θ+1]}
Here 1{A} is the indicator of the set A, and α∈(0,1) is known. This estimation is based on a sample of n i.i.d. X1,…,Xn, and we denote by X(1)<…<X(n) the ordered sample.
(a) Compute the mean and the variance of X1. Construct an unbiased estimator of θ taking the form θ~n=Xˉn+c(α), where Xˉn=n−1∑i=1nXi, specifying c(α).
(b) Show that θ~n is consistent and find the limit in distribution of n(θ~n−θ). Justify your answer, citing theorems that you use.
(c) Find the maximum likelihood estimator θ^n of θ. Compute P(θ^n−θ>t) for all real t. Is θ^n unbiased?
(d) For t>0, show that P(nβ(θ^n−θ)>t) has a limit in (0,1) for some β>0. Give explicitly the value of β and the limit. Why should one favour using θ^n over θ~n ?