If a set of random variables X, having the multidimensional normal distribution is uncorrelated(the covariance matrix is diagonal, they are independent. The argument of the exponential becomes the sum over i of Thus, the distribution becomes a product of exponential
This is the main reason why use of the characteristic function is convenient This would also follow from the more devious reasoning of the density function for the sum of n independent random variables being the nth order convolution of the individual density functions-and the knowledge that convolution in the direct variable domain becomes multiplication in the transform domain
which we define as the correlation. Often we do not know the complete distribution, but only simple statistics. The most common of the moments of higher ordered distribution functions is the covarance
Summary of the subject (topics) 1. Brief review of probability a. Example applications 2. Brief review of random variables a. Example applications 3. Brief review of random processes a. Classical description b. State space description