Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Oxford / 2017 / Prelims / Mathematics III / 4 / b / iii / Solution

For the geometric distribution, $\mu =1/p$, so the probability generating function of the size-biased distribution isIf $X_1,X_2$ are independent and identically distributed with geometric distribution of parameter $p$, the probability generating function of an independent sum givesAt zero, interpret the expression by its continuous extension. The probability generating functions agree, henceOne can also check the probability mass functions directly: for $k\ge 1$, there are $k$ positive integer pairs with sum $k+1$, each having probability $p^2{q}^{k-1}$. Thus both sides assign probability $k{p}^2{q}^{k-1}$ to $k$.