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Let $\mu$ be a probability measure on $\mathbb{R}^n$ that is absolutely continuous w.r.t Lebesgue measure, and $T_1$ is a push-forward map such that $T_1\# \mu= \mu_1$. Let $\mu_2$ be any probability measure on $\mathbb{R}^n$ or on more general $\mathbb{R}^m$.

If there is a joint distribution $\pi$ whose first marginal is $\mu_1$, and the second marginal is $\mu_2$. Does it always exists a map $T_2$ such that ${{(T_1,T_2)\# \mu = \pi}}$?

<strike>${(T_1,T_2)\# \mu_1 = \pi}?$</strike> (which is a typo)

Recall, if $\nu_1,\nu_2$ are probability measures on $\mathbb{R}^n$ and $\nu_1$ absolutely continuous w.r.t Lebesgue measure, then there exists at least a map such that $T\#\nu_1=\nu_2$. This can be found Existence of a push forward map or Lemma 1.28 in Santambrogio's book.

In general, given a $n$-dim joint distribution $\pi\in \mathbb{P}(X_1,X_2,\cdots,X_n)$ where $X_i\subset\mathbb{R}^n$, can one always find maps $(T_i)_{i=1}^n$ such that $\pi=(T_1,\cdots,T_n)\#\mathcal{L^n}$, where $\mathcal{L^n}$ is the Lebesgue measure on $\mathbb{R}^n$. From the view of change of variables formula, if this is true, it seems that one may find a universal parameterization for $X_i$, which is doubtful especially on some multi-valued cases.

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1 Answer 1

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If $T_1$ is a constant map, $\mu_1$ is just a Dirac sitting at a single point. Now, let $\mu_2$ be a weighted sum of two different Diracs.

A joint distribution $\pi$ always exists, you can simply take the product measure $\mu_1 \otimes \mu_2$. Note that $\pi$ is not just a single Dirac.

However, the pushforward $(T_1,T_2)\mathbin\#\mu_1$ of the Dirac $\mu_1$ is always a single Dirac and cannot coincide with $\pi$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for your response. While for the same purpose as in your answer, I have excluded the atom measure as the source measure. $\endgroup$ Commented May 14 at 19:42
  • $\begingroup$ I do not understand your comment. In my answer, $\mu$ is an arbitrary measure, only $\mu_1$ is atomic, but this is not excluded in your question. $\endgroup$ Commented May 15 at 6:32
  • $\begingroup$ Hello gerw, I apologize for my typos. I have corrected in my question. The question is basically that if we know the first marginal of a joint distribution is the push forward measure from an absolutely continuous measure. Can we ensure the second marginal is also push forwarded from the same measure, so that we literally represent the joint distribution as two push forward maps? $\endgroup$ Commented May 16 at 7:50

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