Questions tagged [markov-chains]

Stochastic processes (with either discrete or continuous time dependence) on a discrete (finite or countably infinite) state space in which the distribution of the next state depends only on the current state. For Markov processes on continuous state spaces please use (markov-process) instead.

A Markov chain is a stochastic process on a discrete (finite or countably infinite) space in which the distribution of the next state depends only on the current state. These objects show up in probability and computer science both in discrete-time and continuous-time models. For Markov processes on continuous spaces please use .

A discrete-time Markov chain is a sequence of random variables $\{X_n\}_{n\geq1}$ with the Markov property, namely that the probability of moving to the next state depends only on the present state and not on the previous states, i.e. $$\mathbb P(X_{n+1}=x\mid X_{1}=x_{1},X_{2}=x_{2},\ldots ,X_{n}=x_{n})=\mathbb P(X_{n+1}=x\mid X_{n}=x_{n}),$$ if both conditional probabilities are well defined, i.e. if $\mathbb P(X_{1}=x_{1},\ldots ,X_{n}=x_{n})>0.$

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Period of a state of a finite Markov chain

Consider a finite Markov chain with exactly $m$ states. Is it possible for any state $i$ to have a finite nonzero period $n > m$? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Ageron
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How to determine if a process can be modeled by a Markov Chain?

In a version of the popular arcade game “Whack-a-Mole”, the player stands in front of a board with five holes in it. The (animatronic) mole pops up briefly in one of the holes each second and the player scores a point if they “whack” the mole with a…
Ogen
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finite and closed class of a Markov chain

I am trying to understand the concept of Markov chains, classes of Markov chains and their properties. In my lecture we have been told, that for a closed and finite class of a discrete Markov chain it holds that $$P_j(\text{infinitely often visit…
putti.123
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Continuous-time Markov Chains transition rate

Why is it that in continuous-time Markov chains we usually have $$\sum_{j \neq i} q_{ij}(t) = -q_{ii}(t)$$ or alternatively, the transition rate corresponding to the system remaining in place is defined by the equation $$q_{ii}(t) = -\sum_{j \neq i}…
amjb
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If a finite Markov chain does not converge for some initial distribution, then is it necessarily periodic?

I'm trying to understand some of the edge cases of Markov chain convergence. If we have a finite transition matrix $P$ and initial distribution $r$, then if $r, rP, rP^2, rP^3$ does not converge, what are the possibilities? Is the sequence of…
theQman
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Reducible Markov Chain and Stationary Distribution

Assuming the state space = {0,1,2,3}, I know that this Markov Chain is reducible and I believe that there are 4 communicating classes here: Class 1: {State 0} , Class 2: {State 1}, Class 3: {State 2} and Class 4: {State 3}. Is this true? Also, how…
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Prove a Markov chain and calculate expected time for absorbed

The question is similar to exercise 5.5.1 in Probability: Theory and Examples 5th edition by Durrett. Let $\xi_1, \xi_2, ...$ be i.i.d $\in$ $\{1, 2, ..., N\}$ and taking each value with probability $\frac{1}{N}$. Consider the range of values up to…
Mizzle
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Forward and backward Kolmogorov equations and stationary distribution

This is a follow up to What is the difference between the forward and backward equations in a CTMC? Let $Q^T$ be the transpose of $Q$. Why $\pi Q =0$ is a steady state solution to the continuous time Markov chain, accounting for the forward case,…
Daniel S.
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Intuition behind infinite markov chains possibly being null recurrent

I am trying to make intuitive sense of the ability of irreducible, infinite markov chains possibly being null recurrent The way I see it, there is a possibility the process just keeps getting larger and larger towards a very distant state, so if we…
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Markov proof that a state is either transitive or ergotic - can it be so simple?

This is the chart associated with a Markov matrix The equivalence(communication) classes are: {1,2,3,4} - transitive {5,6,7} - transitive {8} - ergotic My teacher said that "all equivalence classes are either ergotic or transitive". I…
Ryan
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If a state is recurrent (either null or positive) and the MC is irreducible, are all other states recurrent?

Is this true? I know that if a state is positive recurrent and a MC is irreducible, then all other states are positive recurrent. To clarify, we are only dealing with finite, countable MC.
MinYoung Kim
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Markov chain equivalence class definition

I have a question regarding the definition of the equivalence relation leading to the so called communication classes. Let's assume we are given the following transition matrix $$ \begin{equation*} P = \begin{pmatrix} 0.5 & 0.5 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0…
swissy
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How to calculate probability of reaching the Absorbing State of a Markov Chain by a specific time deadline

I have a very simple Markov Chain and would like to know if the following question is possible to answer?. I have scoured the internet and could not find much application of Markov Chains in answering this question. Any help or leads in the right…
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Do these conditions hold for a Markov chain?

Let $\{X_n \}$ be a discrete time discrete space Markov chain. We know that $$ P(X_{n+1}=j|X_0=x_0,\ldots,X_{n-1}=x_{n-1},X_n=i)=P(X_{n+1}=j|X_n=i), $$ for all $x_0,\ldots,x_{n-1},i,j\in \cal{S}$, and $n\geq0$, where $\cal{S}$ is the state space of…
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Transition probability matrix of a Markov chain from stationary distribution

I have given the stationary distribution $\pi=(1/9,3/4,5/36)$ of a connected Markov chain, which I don‘t know. Is it possible to generate the transition probability matrix of a Markov chain that has this stationary distribution?