Let X,Y be random variables and a,b,c∈R.
Expectation (Always True)
E[c]=c
E[aX]=aE[X]
E[X+Y]=E[X]+E[Y]
E[aX+bY+c]=aE[X]+bE[Y]+c
Product Expectations
E[XY] has no simplification in general
If X,Y are independent:
E[XY]=E[X]E[Y]
Covariance
Cov(X,Y)=E[XY]−E[X]E[Y]
Cov(X,Y)=Cov(Y,X)
Cov(X,c)=0
Cov(aX+b,Y)=aCov(X,Y)
Cov(X,aY+b)=aCov(X,Y)
If X,Y are independent:
Cov(X,Y)=0
Variance
Var(X)=E[X2]−(E[X])2
Var(X)=Cov(X,X)
Var(c)=0
Var(X+c)=Var(X)
Var(aX)=a2Var(X)
Variance of Sums
Var(X+Y)=Var(X)+Var(Y)+2Cov(X,Y)
If X,Y are independent:
Var(X+Y)=Var(X)+Var(Y)
Linear Combinations
Var(aX+bY+c)=a2Var(X)+b2Var(Y)+2abCov(X,Y)
If X,Y are independent:
Var(aX+bY+c)=a2Var(X)+b2Var(Y)
Second Moments
E[(X+Y)2]=E[X2]+E[Y2]+2E[XY]
Inequalities
Var(X)≥0