Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2021 iii Paper 210 2 Solution 2026-09-28
A kernel for density estimation is an integrable function with . The kernel density estimator isIt has order when for and .
Differentiation gives the derivative kernel density estimatorDropping the negative square of its mean from the variance and using Tonelli and the substitution ,Thus and .
For , the Nikolsky class consists of functions with square-integrable derivatives through order andusing the equivalent finite-difference definition when is an integer. Integration by parts showsTaylor expansion in , cancellation of the moments through order for , and the generalized Minkowski inequality giveConsequentlywhere one admissible choice isHence .
The mean integrated squared error isthe sum of integrated variance and squared bias. The preceding bounds giveTaking proves the MISE rate for derivative kernel density estimationThus . Estimating a density of the same smoothness has variance order and rate ; estimating its derivative is harder because differentiation amplifies high-frequency noise, changing to .