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I have an exponential distribution with rate $\lambda$, where $\lambda$ is drawn from a Gamma distribution with shape and scale parameters $(k,\theta)$. I'd like to calculate an exact PDF for values, $v_i$, drawn from the exponential distribution if, for each sampling event, we randomly sample a value of $\lambda$ from the aforementioned Gamma distribution. Is there a simple closed-form solution for the PDF of the $v_i$?

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$$ f(t,s)= f(t\mid s)\cdot f(s) = \frac1{\theta^k\Gamma(k)} s e^{-st}\cdot s^{k-1}\cdot e^{-s/\theta} $$ $$ = \frac1{\theta^k\Gamma(k)} s^{k}\cdot e^{-st-s/\theta} $$ for $s>0$, $t>0$. Here $s=\lambda$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Yikes, good point. I changed the Gaussian to a Gamma distribution with shape and scale parameters $(k,\theta)$. $\endgroup$
    – Paul
    Commented Feb 27, 2014 at 1:09
  • $\begingroup$ What about calculating a marginal distribution of the $v_i$? Can this be done? $\endgroup$
    – Paul
    Commented Feb 27, 2014 at 4:54
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    $\begingroup$ That's fair enough, and thanks for humoring me with your answer. :) $\endgroup$
    – Paul
    Commented Feb 27, 2014 at 6:09
  • $\begingroup$ stats.stackexchange.com/questions/88086/… $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 27, 2014 at 6:44

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