Understanding Markov Chains

Introduction

1 Probability Background
1.1 Probability Spaces and Events
1.2 Probability Measures
1.3 Conditional Probabilities and Independence
1.4 Random Variables
1.5 Probability Distributions
1.6 Expectation of a Random Variable
1.7 Conditional Expectation
1.8 Moment and Probability Generating Functions
Exercises

2 Gambling Problems
2.1 Constrained Random Walk
2.2 Ruin Probabilities
2.3 Mean Game Duration
Exercises

3 Random Walk
3.1 Unrestricted Random Walk
3.2 Mean and Variance
3.3 Distribution
3.4 First Return to Zero
Exercises

4 Discrete-Time Markov Chains
4.1 Markov Property
4.2 Transition matrix
4.3 Examples of Markov Chains
4.4 Higher Order Transition Probabilities
4.5 The Two-State Discrete-Time Markov Chain
Exercises

5 First Step Analysis
5.1 Hitting Probabilities
5.2 Mean Hitting and Absorption Times
5.3 First Return Times
5.4 Number of Returns
Exercises
6 Classication of States
6.1 Communicating States
6.2 Recurrent States
6.3 Transient States
6.4 Positive and Null Recurrence
6.5 Periodicity and Aperiodicity
Exercises

7 Long-Run Behavior of Markov Chains
7.1 Limiting Distributions
7.2 Stationary Distributions
7.3 Markov Chain Monte Carlo
Exercises

8 Branching Processes
8.1 Defnition and Examples
8.2 Probability Generating Functions
8.3 Extinction Probabilities
Exercises

9 Continuous-Time Markov Chains
9.1 The Poisson Process
9.2 Continuous-Time Chains
9.3 Transition Semigroup9.4 Infinitesimal Generator
9.5 The Two-State Continuous-Time Markov Chain
9.6 Limiting and Stationary Distributions
9.7 The Discrete-Time Embedded Chain
9.8 Mean Absorption Time and Probabilities
Exercises

10 Discrete-Time Martingales
10.1 Filtrations and Conditional Expectations
10.2 Martingales - Definition and Properties
10.3 Ruin Probabilities
10.4 Mean Game Duration
Exercises

11 Spatial Poisson Processes
11.1 Spatial Poisson (1781-1840) Processes
11.2 Poisson Stochastic Integrals
11.3

Nicolas Privault is an associate professor from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and is well-established in the field of stochastic processes and a highly respected probabilist. He has authored the book, Stochastic Analysis in Discrete and Continuous Settings: With Normal Martingales, Lecture Notes in Mathematics, Springer, 2009 and was a co-editor for the book, Stochastic Analysis with Financial Applications, Progress in Probability, Vol. 65, Springer Basel, 2011. Aside from these two Springer titles, he has authored several others. He is currently teaching the course M27004-Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes at NTU. The manuscript has been developed over the years from his courses on Stochastic Processes.

"Understanding Markov Chains by Nicolas Privault is an attractive book. Like most math books, it was typeset using LaTeX, but it looks better than most math books. Perhaps the author uses LaTeX particularly well. The paper is slightly cream-colored and the figures are well done. Even the solutions to the exercises, where some authors are wont to skimp on presentation quality, are well done." (Reviewed by John D. Cook, on 10/19/2013)

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