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Regarding topic: SE I encountered a convolution of two identical $\arcsin$ distributions. The probability density function $pdf$ for $R \in [−1,1]$ in this context is:

$$f(R)=\frac{1}{\pi \sqrt{1-R^2}}$$

The convolution of two $\arcsin$ pdf's would then be (not sure if this is allowed):

$$f(R)*f(R)= \int_{-a}^{a} \frac{1}{\pi \sqrt{1-\tau^{2}}} \cdot \frac{1}{\pi \sqrt{1-(R-\tau)^{2}}} d \tau$$

Wolfram Alpha online gives a complicated formula (without integral limits) as a solution:

$$f(R)*f(R)=$$ $$\small{ \left[- \frac{2(\tau-1)(\tau+1) \ \sqrt{ \frac{\tau - R+1}{( \tau -1) R)}} \ \sqrt{ \frac{\tau - R-1 }{(\tau-1) ( R +2)}} \ F \left[ \arcsin \left( \sqrt{\frac{(\tau+1) R}{(\tau-1) (R+2)} } \right), 1 - \frac{4}{R^2} \right] }{\pi^2 \sqrt{1 - \tau^2} \sqrt{ \frac{(\tau+1) R}{( \tau-1) (R+2)}} \sqrt{- \tau^2 + 2 \tau R - R^2 + 1} } \right]_{-a}^{a} }$$

Here the elliptic integral $F(\lambda,m)$ (incomplete first kind) occurs. I have little experience in convolution and elliptic integrals.

I studied and did some empirical trial and error investigation. I calculated the convolution numerical and guessed the equation fitting the numerical convolution.

First, I took the limit for $\tau \to \infty$ from solution Wolfram Alpha giving:

$$\frac{2}{\pi^2 R} \ F \left[ \arcsin \left( \sqrt{\frac{ R}{R+2} } \right), 1 - \frac{4}{R^2} \right] $$

Then after trial and error I noticed multiplying with $\pi /2$ gives correct scaling with numerical convolution (see graph).

After study SE I found that the incomplete elliptic integral $F(\lambda,m)$ can be replaced by a complete elliptic integral $K(m)$ for real parts solution.

So, my empirical found $pdf$ for the convolution of two $\arcsin$ distributions describing half the $pdf$:

EDIT: This far I got lucky guessing with trial and error. Next formula is not correct. See comments and answers.

$$\boxed{g(R)= \dfrac{1}{\pi R} \cdot K \left[ 1- \dfrac{4}{R^{2}} \right]}$$

My method is very intuitive and am looking for more rigorous proof. I do not understand all steps I have done. My skill level is amateur/hobby hoping to find fitting comments/answers.

Mystery's:

  1. What limits for the convolution integral should be taken?
  2. Why does multiplying with $\pi /2$ give correct scaling?

enter image description here

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from scipy.special import ellipk

fig, ax = plt.subplots(1, figsize=(12,6))

#Numerical Convolution Arcsine R=np.linspace(-0.9999999,0.9999999,100000) dR=R[1]-R[0] arcsin=1/(np.pi(np.sqrt(1-R2))) pdf=np.convolve(arcsin,arcsin,mode='same') size=np.size(pdf) af=dRnp.sum(pdf) f2=pdf/af f1=np.full(np.size(pdf),0) ax.fill_between(R[::10], f1[::10], f2[::10],color='black',zorder=-10,alpha=0.25,label="convolution numerical:\n$f(R)*f(R)$",interpolate=True,linewidth=0)

#Formula convolution with Elliptic Integral R1=np.linspace(0.00000001,1,1000) f3b=ellipk(1-4/(R1*2)) f3b=1/(np.piR1)*f3b ax.plot(R1,f3b,label=r"$g(R)$",color='blue',linewidth=1.5)

text="arcsine pdf: \n" + r"$f(R)= \dfrac{1}{\pi \sqrt{1-R^2}}$" ax.text(0.25,1.7,text,fontsize=14)

text="convolution: \n" + r"$g(R)= \dfrac{1}{\pi R} \cdot K \left( 1- \dfrac{4}{R^{2}} \right)$" ax.text(0.25,1.3,text,fontsize=14)

ax.set_xlabel("$R$",fontsize=14) ax.set_ylabel("density",fontsize=14) ax.legend(loc="upper left",fontsize=12) ax.set_xlim([-1, 1]) ax.set_ylim([0,2])

plt.show()

  • 1
    You did not take the time of simplifying the result given by Wolfram Alpha.

    $$\Bigg[- \frac{2(\tau-1)(\tau+1) \ \sqrt{ \frac{\tau - R+1}{( \tau -1) R)}} \ \sqrt{ \frac{\tau - R-1 }{(\tau-1) ( R +2)}} }{\pi^2 \sqrt{1 - \tau^2} \sqrt{ \frac{(\tau+1) R}{( \tau-1) (R+2)}} \sqrt{- \tau^2 + 2 \tau R - R^2 + 1} }\Bigg]^2=\frac{4}{\pi ^4 R^2}$$

    – Claude Leibovici Aug 02 '21 at 03:19
  • @Claude Leibovici, thank you! Did the simplification now myself very rewarding the cancelling! Indeed taking the square makes is more easy. Strange I took the time writing WA answer in Latex but no simplification :) – Vincent Preemen Aug 02 '21 at 06:44

2 Answers2

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1: Limits $\tau$ must be in the intersection of$-1\le \tau\le 1$ and $-1\le R-\tau\le 1$.

2: By definition, for any pdf $f(R)$, $\int_{-1}^1f(R)dR=1$.

  • Thank you, mist is clearing up, what methods to solve for: $;\displaystyle g(R)= \int_{0}^{1} \dfrac{1}{\pi R} \cdot K \left[ 1- \dfrac{4}{R^{2}} \right] dR $. Wolfram alpha online gave answer but not the steps. But first I will study myself! – Vincent Preemen Aug 02 '21 at 06:46
  • The $\tau$ limit problem also seems to resolve with simplification! $\tau$ is cancelled out! See comment: @Claude Leibovici – Vincent Preemen Aug 02 '21 at 06:50
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With help from the comments and answer I could determine where I was wrong. I am a bit more comfortable with the matter (but not fully sure). My empirical formula is wrong. I integrate $R \in [-1,1]$ and do not get $1$ as area:

$$ \require{cancel} \cancel{ G(R)= \int_{-1}^{1} \left\lvert \dfrac{1}{\pi R} \cdot K \left( 1- \dfrac{4}{R^{2}} \right) \right\rvert dR=0.990288\ldots }$$

My limits where incorrect and multiplication by $\pi /2$ was (close) but incorrect. The following formula is giving me the correct results:

$$ G(R)= \int_{-2}^{2} \left\lvert \dfrac{2}{\pi^{2} R} \cdot K \left( 1- \dfrac{4}{R^{2}} \right) \right\rvert dR=1 $$

Where $K$ is the complete elliptic integral. I evaluated this integral with Wolfram Alpha online. And gives a Meijer $G$-function as solution, my first encounter of this function (and to complicated right now).

integrate abs(2/(pi^2*R)*K(1-4/R^2)) dR  from R=-2 to 2

So the convolution of two $\arcsin$ distributions with $R \in[-1,1]$:

$$f(R)=\frac{1}{\pi \sqrt{1-R^2}}$$ $$f(R)*f(R)=\left\lvert \dfrac{2}{\pi^{2} R} \cdot K \left( 1- \dfrac{4}{R^{2}} \right) \right\rvert $$

The numerical convolution and formula found (gray area) are plotted below in the correct range $R \in [-2,2]$: enter image description here