Convergence in Total Variation of Random Sums

Abstract

Let (Xn) be a sequence of real random variables, (Tn) a sequence of random indices, and (τn) a sequence of constants such that τn→∞. The asymptotic behavior of Ln=(1/τn)∑i=1TnXi, as n→∞, is investigated when (Xn) is exchangeable and independent of (Tn). We give conditions for Mn=τn(Ln−L)⟶M in distribution, where L and M are suitable random variables. Moreover, when (Xn) is i.i.d., we find constants an and bn such that supA∈B(R)|P(Ln∈A)−P(L∈A)|≤an and supA∈B(R)|P(Mn∈A)−P(M∈A)|≤bn for every n. In particular, Ln→L or Mn→M in total variation distance provided an→0 or bn→0, as it happens in some situations.