M HYPE SPLASH
// general

Lower bound of Gaussian tail?

By Abigail Rogers
$\begingroup$

Have $N$ denote a $N(0, 1)$ random variable. I have found a $K_1$ such that for all $x >0$,$$\textbf{P}(N \ge x) \le K_1 x^{-1} e^{-x^2/2}.$$My question is, does there exist $K_2 > 0$ such that for all $x \ge 1$,$$\textbf{P}(N \ge x) \ge K_2 x^{-1} e^{-x^2/2}\text{ ?}$$

$\endgroup$ 4

1 Answer

$\begingroup$

There is a standard lower estimate for $1-\Phi(x) = P(N(0,1)\ge x)$: for all $x>0$, $$ 1-\Phi(x)> \frac{x}{x^2+1}\varphi(x) = \frac{x}{x^2+1}\frac1{\sqrt{2\pi}}e^{-x^2/2}. $$ You can find the proof e.g. here.

So for $x\ge 1$ $$ 1-\Phi(x)> \frac{1}{x+1/x}\varphi(x)\ge \frac{1}{2x}\varphi(x), $$ consequently, the desired inequality holds with $K_2 = 1/(2\sqrt{2\pi})$.

$\endgroup$ 1

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Sign up using Google Sign up using Facebook Sign up using Email and Password

Post as a guest

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy