Introduction to Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes


Book Description

A unique approach to stochastic processes that connects the mathematical formulation of random processes to their use in applications This book presents an innovative approach to teaching probability theory and stochastic processes based on the binary expansion of the unit interval. Departing from standard pedagogy, it uses the binary expansion of the unit interval to explicitly construct an infinite sequence of independent random variables (of any given distribution) on a single probability space. This construction then provides the framework to understand the mathematical formulation of probability theory for its use in applications. Features include: The theory is presented first for countable sample spaces (Chapters 1-3) and then for uncountable sample spaces (Chapters 4-18) Coverage of the explicit construction of i.i.d. random variables on a single probability space to explain why it is the distribution function rather than the functional form of random variables that matters when it comes to modeling random phenomena Explicit construction of continuous random variables to facilitate the "digestion" of random variables, i.e., how they are used in contrast to how they are defined Explicit construction of continuous random variables to facilitate the two views of expectation: as integration over the underlying probability space (abstract view) or as integration using the density function (usual view) A discussion of the connections between Bernoulli, geometric, and Poisson processes Incorporation of the Johnson-Nyquist noise model and an explanation of why (and when) it is valid to use a delta function to model its autocovariance Comprehensive, astute, and practical, Introduction to Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes is a clear presentation of essential topics for those studying communications, control, machine learning, digital signal processing, computer networks, pattern recognition, image processing, and coding theory.




An Introduction to Probability and Stochastic Processes


Book Description

Detailed coverage of probability theory, random variables and their functions, stochastic processes, linear system response to stochastic processes, Gaussian and Markov processes, and stochastic differential equations. 1973 edition.




An Introduction to Probability and Stochastic Processes


Book Description

These notes were written as a result of my having taught a "nonmeasure theoretic" course in probability and stochastic processes a few times at the Weizmann Institute in Israel. I have tried to follow two principles. The first is to prove things "probabilistically" whenever possible without recourse to other branches of mathematics and in a notation that is as "probabilistic" as possible. Thus, for example, the asymptotics of pn for large n, where P is a stochastic matrix, is developed in Section V by using passage probabilities and hitting times rather than, say, pulling in Perron Frobenius theory or spectral analysis. Similarly in Section II the joint normal distribution is studied through conditional expectation rather than quadratic forms. The second principle I have tried to follow is to only prove results in their simple forms and to try to eliminate any minor technical com putations from proofs, so as to expose the most important steps. Steps in proofs or derivations that involve algebra or basic calculus are not shown; only steps involving, say, the use of independence or a dominated convergence argument or an assumptjon in a theorem are displayed. For example, in proving inversion formulas for characteristic functions I omit steps involving evaluation of basic trigonometric integrals and display details only where use is made of Fubini's Theorem or the Dominated Convergence Theorem.




Introduction to Probability and Stochastic Processes with Applications


Book Description

An easily accessible, real-world approach to probability and stochastic processes Introduction to Probability and Stochastic Processes with Applications presents a clear, easy-to-understand treatment of probability and stochastic processes, providing readers with a solid foundation they can build upon throughout their careers. With an emphasis on applications in engineering, applied sciences, business and finance, statistics, mathematics, and operations research, the book features numerous real-world examples that illustrate how random phenomena occur in nature and how to use probabilistic techniques to accurately model these phenomena. The authors discuss a broad range of topics, from the basic concepts of probability to advanced topics for further study, including Itô integrals, martingales, and sigma algebras. Additional topical coverage includes: Distributions of discrete and continuous random variables frequently used in applications Random vectors, conditional probability, expectation, and multivariate normal distributions The laws of large numbers, limit theorems, and convergence of sequences of random variables Stochastic processes and related applications, particularly in queueing systems Financial mathematics, including pricing methods such as risk-neutral valuation and the Black-Scholes formula Extensive appendices containing a review of the requisite mathematics and tables of standard distributions for use in applications are provided, and plentiful exercises, problems, and solutions are found throughout. Also, a related website features additional exercises with solutions and supplementary material for classroom use. Introduction to Probability and Stochastic Processes with Applications is an ideal book for probability courses at the upper-undergraduate level. The book is also a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners in the fields of engineering, operations research, and computer science who conduct data analysis to make decisions in their everyday work.




Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes


Book Description

The ultimate objective of this book is to present a panoramic view of the main stochastic processes which have an impact on applications, with complete proofs and exercises. Random processes play a central role in the applied sciences, including operations research, insurance, finance, biology, physics, computer and communications networks, and signal processing. In order to help the reader to reach a level of technical autonomy sufficient to understand the presented models, this book includes a reasonable dose of probability theory. On the other hand, the study of stochastic processes gives an opportunity to apply the main theoretical results of probability theory beyond classroom examples and in a non-trivial manner that makes this discipline look more attractive to the applications-oriented student. One can distinguish three parts of this book. The first four chapters are about probability theory, Chapters 5 to 8 concern random sequences, or discrete-time stochastic processes, and the rest of the book focuses on stochastic processes and point processes. There is sufficient modularity for the instructor or the self-teaching reader to design a course or a study program adapted to her/his specific needs. This book is in a large measure self-contained.




Introduction To Stochastic Processes


Book Description

The objective of this book is to introduce the elements of stochastic processes in a rather concise manner where we present the two most important parts — Markov chains and stochastic analysis. The readers are led directly to the core of the main topics to be treated in the context. Further details and additional materials are left to a section containing abundant exercises for further reading and studying.In the part on Markov chains, the focus is on the ergodicity. By using the minimal nonnegative solution method, we deal with the recurrence and various types of ergodicity. This is done step by step, from finite state spaces to denumerable state spaces, and from discrete time to continuous time. The methods of proofs adopt modern techniques, such as coupling and duality methods. Some very new results are included, such as the estimate of the spectral gap. The structure and proofs in the first part are rather different from other existing textbooks on Markov chains.In the part on stochastic analysis, we cover the martingale theory and Brownian motions, the stochastic integral and stochastic differential equations with emphasis on one dimension, and the multidimensional stochastic integral and stochastic equation based on semimartingales. We introduce three important topics here: the Feynman-Kac formula, random time transform and Girsanov transform. As an essential application of the probability theory in classical mathematics, we also deal with the famous Brunn-Minkowski inequality in convex geometry.This book also features modern probability theory that is used in different fields, such as MCMC, or even deterministic areas: convex geometry and number theory. It provides a new and direct routine for students going through the classical Markov chains to the modern stochastic analysis.




Elementary Probability Theory


Book Description

This book provides an introduction to probability theory and its applications. The emphasis is on essential probabilistic reasoning, which is illustrated with a large number of samples. The fourth edition adds material related to mathematical finance as well as expansions on stable laws and martingales. From the reviews: "Almost thirty years after its first edition, this charming book continues to be an excellent text for teaching and for self study." -- STATISTICAL PAPERS




Introduction to Probability


Book Description

An intuitive, yet precise introduction to probability theory, stochastic processes, statistical inference, and probabilistic models used in science, engineering, economics, and related fields. This is the currently used textbook for an introductory probability course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, attended by a large number of undergraduate and graduate students, and for a leading online class on the subject. The book covers the fundamentals of probability theory (probabilistic models, discrete and continuous random variables, multiple random variables, and limit theorems), which are typically part of a first course on the subject. It also contains a number of more advanced topics, including transforms, sums of random variables, a fairly detailed introduction to Bernoulli, Poisson, and Markov processes, Bayesian inference, and an introduction to classical statistics. The book strikes a balance between simplicity in exposition and sophistication in analytical reasoning. Some of the more mathematically rigorous analysis is explained intuitively in the main text, and then developed in detail (at the level of advanced calculus) in the numerous solved theoretical problems.







Introduction to Probability, Statistics, and Random Processes


Book Description

The book covers basic concepts such as random experiments, probability axioms, conditional probability, and counting methods, single and multiple random variables (discrete, continuous, and mixed), as well as moment-generating functions, characteristic functions, random vectors, and inequalities; limit theorems and convergence; introduction to Bayesian and classical statistics; random processes including processing of random signals, Poisson processes, discrete-time and continuous-time Markov chains, and Brownian motion; simulation using MATLAB and R.