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So, it's pretty clear that for independent $X,Y\in L_1(P)$ (with $E(X|Y)=E(X|\sigma(Y))$), we have $E(X|Y)=E(X)$. It is also quite easy to construct an example (for instance, $X=Y=1$) which shows that $E(X|Y)=E(X)$, does not imply independence of $X$ and $Y$.

However, since $X,Y$ are independent iff $E(f(X)g(Y))=E(f(X))E(g(Y))$ for all bounded Borel functions $f,g:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$, does it not make sense that $X$ and $Y$ are independent iff $E(f(X)|Y)=E(f(X))$, again for all bounded Borel functions $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$?

Clearly, one of the implications hold (since $f(X)$ will be independent of $Y$), but what about the other way around? Am I completely wrong in my assessment?

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    $\begingroup$ Indeed "E(X|Y)=E(X), does not imply independence of X and Y" but the case when X=Y=1 with full probability is not a counterexample since constant random variables are iundependent of everything. $\endgroup$
    – Did
    Commented Apr 29, 2013 at 11:49

1 Answer 1

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Assume that ${\rm E}[h(X)\mid Y]={\rm E}[h(X)]$ holds for any bounded Borel-measurable function $h$ and let $f,g$ be bounded Borel-measurable functions. Then $$ \begin{align} {\rm E}[f(X)g(Y)]&={\rm E}[{\rm E}[f(X)g(Y)\mid Y]]={\rm E}[g(Y){\rm E}[f(X)\mid Y]]\\ &={\rm E}[g(Y){\rm E}[f(X)]]={\rm E}[g(Y)]{\rm E}[f(X)] \end{align} $$ which shows that $X$ and $Y$ are independent.

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  • $\begingroup$ why is $E[X|Y] = E[X]$ not enough for independance ? From that previous statement, one could build up (with monotone class theorem) your theorem... I don't understand how yours can be true while mine is not. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 9, 2020 at 18:11
  • $\begingroup$ @Marine Galantin How would you do that? $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 10, 2020 at 11:05
  • $\begingroup$ oh wait... I got confused. It is actually that I had on mind : $$ P(X,Y) = P(X)P(Y) \iff E( 1_X 1_Y ) = E(1_X) E(1_Y) $$ Yielding your theorem. Sorry ! In fact, your theorem is equivalent to $$P(X | Y ) = P(X) \iff X,Y \text{ independant}$$ $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 10, 2020 at 13:18

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