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I want to show that, for $n$ iid non-negative random variables $x_1, \dots, x_n$, we have $$ \mathbb{E} \max_{i \in [n]} x_i \lesssim (\mathbb{E} [x_i^{\log n}])^{\frac{1}{\log n }}. $$

I can only go so far as to show $\mathbb{E} \max_{i \in [n]} x_i \leq n (\mathbb{E} [x_i^{\log n}])^{\frac{1}{\log n }}$ for $n \geq 3$, using Jensen's inequality and the inequality $\max_i x_i \leq \sum_i x_i$, which seems a bit wasteful (and responsible for the factor of $n$).

Any tips for getting rid of the factor of $n$ would be greatly appreciated!

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    $\begingroup$ You can only use Jensen's inequality if $\log(n) \geq 1$, so the inequality with the $n$-term will only hold for $n \geq 3$. $\endgroup$
    – Tardis
    Jan 21, 2022 at 19:22
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    $\begingroup$ $\mathbb{E}\left[\max_{1 \le i \le n} x_i \right] \le \mathbb{E}\left[\left(\sum_i x_i^{\log n}\right)^{1/\log n}\right] \le \left(\mathbb{E}\left[\sum_i x_i^{\log n}\right]\right)^{1/\log n} = e\left(\mathbb{E}\left[x_i^{\log n}\right]\right)^{1/\log n}$, where the first inequality is obvious and the second uses Jensen. Is that wrong? $\endgroup$ Jan 22, 2022 at 9:38
  • $\begingroup$ @mathworker21 That is the canonical argument, so should be posted as an answer. The constant $e$ is sharp. $\endgroup$ Jan 22, 2022 at 16:06

4 Answers 4

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$$\mathbb{E}\left[\max_{1 \le i \le n} x_i \right] \le \mathbb{E}\left[\left(\sum_i x_i^{\log n}\right)^{1/\log n}\right] \le \left(\mathbb{E}\left[\sum_i x_i^{\log n}\right]\right)^{1/\log n} = e\cdot \left(\mathbb{E}\left[x_i^{\log n}\right]\right)^{1/\log n}$$

The first inequality is trivial, the second inequality is Jensen, and the equality uses $n^{1/\log n} = e$.

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The canonical argument proving the upper bound is in the comment by Mathworker21, which has now been posted as an answer. I just want to add that the constant $e$ obtained there is sharp. Indeed, if $\{X_i\}_{i=1}^n$ are i.i.d. standard exponential variables, then $$E(\max_{1 \le i \le n} X_i)=\int_0^\infty P\Bigl(\max_{1 \le i \le n} X_i>t\Bigr) =\int_0^\infty[1- (1-e^{-t})^n] \, dt$$ $$=\int_0^1 \frac{(1-y)^n}{1-y}\, dy=\sum_{k=1}^n \frac{1}{k}=(1+o(1)) \log n$$ as $n \to \infty$. On the other hand, writing $\ell:=\log n$, by Stirling's formula we have $$E(X^\ell)=\int_0^\infty t^\ell e^{-t} \,dt=\Gamma(\ell+1)=(1+o(1))\sqrt{2\pi \ell} \,\Bigl(\frac{\ell}{e}\Bigr)^\ell\,,$$ so $$[E(X^\ell)]^{1/\ell}= (1+o(1))\,\Bigl(\frac{\log n}{e}\Bigr) \,.$$

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Here is another proof that the constant factor $e$ in mathworker21's nice proof is the best possible.

Suppose that $1-P(x_1=0)=P(x_1=1)=p:=p_n:=\dfrac{\ln n}n$. Then $$E\max_{i\in[n]}x_i=1-(1-p)^n\ge1-e^{-np}=1-1/n\to1$$ and $$(Ex_1^{\ln n})^{1/\ln n}=p^{1/\ln n} =\exp\frac{\ln\ln n-\ln n}{\ln n} \to e^{-1}.$$ So, the constant factor $e$ is the best possible.

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Let $$l:=E\max_{i\in[n]}x_i,\quad r:=(Ex_1^{\ln n})^{1/\ln n}.$$ Let $q:=e r$. Then for $n\ge3$ $$\begin{aligned} l&=\int_0^\infty P(\max_{i\in[n]}x_i>x)\,dx \\ &\le q+\int_q^\infty nP(x_1>x)\,dx \\ &\le q+\int_q^\infty n\frac{Ex_1^{\ln n}}{x^{\ln n}}\,dx \\ &= q+\int_q^\infty n\frac{r^{\ln n}}{x^{\ln n}}\,dx \\ &=e\Big(1+\frac1{\ln n-1}\Big)r \\ &\le Cr \end{aligned}$$ for some universal real constant $C>0$. So, the factor $n$ has been removed, as desired.

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  • $\begingroup$ Why the downvote? This is a complete (and chronologically first) answer to the question. Of course, kudos to mathworker21, who later found a better proof, with a slightly better bound. But downvoting this answer seems unfair. $\endgroup$ Jan 30, 2022 at 14:33

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