Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-statistics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2014/2/a/ii/solution

For a random sample, write , , for its joint probability density functions. Let be any competing statistical test of level at most . Pointwise,
Indeed, where , ; where , , so both factors have the same sign. On the equality set the product is zero, regardless of randomization. Integrate over the joint sample space using its ordinary volume measure:
Since and ,
This proves maximal power. A continuous sample distribution does not itself guarantee that the equality set of the likelihood ratio has zero probability; allowing randomization there makes the proof valid in that case too.

New to topics? Read the docs here!