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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The meaning of the period of a markov chain

Let's consider a markov chain that has no transient states and is irreducible. I am struggling if there is really any interpretation from it. For example, suppose it is possible to return to the state in {6, 8, 10, 12, ...} time steps; the period…
Anson NG
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Markov Property Examples

Let $(X_{t \in \mathbb{N_0}})$ be a Markov Chain with states $E$. Let $A,B \subseteq E$ with $x_0,x_1 \in E$. Prove the following: $P (X_2 ∈ B|X_1 = x_1 , X_0 ∈ A) = P (X_2 ∈ B|X_1 = x_1 )$. $ P(X_2 ∈ B|X_1 ∈ A, X_0 = x_0 ) = P (X_2 ∈ B|X_1 ∈ A)…
Oleg
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Limiting distribution of Markov chain

The markov chain with states {0,1,2,3,4} has transition matrix $$P=\begin{pmatrix} 0 & p & 0 & 0 & 1-p \\ 1-p & 0 & p & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1-p & 0 &p &0 \\ 0 & 0 &1-p &0 & p \\ p &0 &0 &1-p & 0 \end{pmatrix}$$ This chain is irreducible and finite which…
Biggiez
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Application of these "limiting probabilities"

I have been taking a look at some basic properties of discrete markov chains. Let $S$ be a Markov Chain with a finite state space and with transition matrix $P$. It is well know that under some regularities properties there is an invariant…
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Does longer input for a markov chain cause longer output on average?

When I have a simple markov chain with a fixed number of states and a fixed number of terminal states, does weighting transitions from a training set of longer sequences cause the chain to produce longer output when starting in initial state and…
allo
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Aperiodic states interpretation problem

After reading about periodicity of states in Markov chains I have problems understanding intuitively the aperiodic states. Following the Wikipedia definition if the return to one state can be done in $3n$ and $5n$ steps ($n\in \mathbb{N}$), then the…
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3-level Markov chain, Physical system

Imagine you have an ensemble of 3-level systems whose dynamics is a Markov chain Further, suppose that transition from level 1 to level 3 requires the absorption of a "yellow" photon (high energy), while transitions between the other levels…
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The number of hits of a Markov chain before hitting a set

Considera a Markov chain on a finite graph. Let $\mathrm{Z}$ be a set of vertices, $a$ a vertex not in $\mathrm{Z}$ and denote $N$ the numbers of times the Markov chain, started at $a$ visits $a$ again before entering $\mathrm{Z}.$ So, we set $X_0 =…
William M.
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Counter example on the period of Markov Chain

I want to find a counter example for the following statement: "If an irreducible Markov chain has period 2, then for every state $i \in S$ we have $P_{ii}^2 > 0$" I feel like that we can't really find a counterexample for this statement, since $2$…
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Could someone represent this second order Markov chain?

Suppose I have the followin situation : The weather can either be "bad" or "good". If the weather yesterday was "good" and the weather today is "good", then the probability that the weather will be "good" tomorrow is $p_1$ If the weather yesterday…
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Is this Markov chain irreducible?

Consider a Markov's chain on the state space $\{0,1,\ldots\}$ with the transition matrix which is an identity matrix. This gives us that every state communicates only with itself. From the definition of irreducible Markov chain, in an irreducible…
shwetha
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Finding $p_{ij}^{(n)}$ (nth step transition probability).

The question is how do I find $p_{ij}^{(n)}$ given that it's true that $P^{(n)}=P^n$ where $P$ is the 1 step transition matrix, but it's not always true that $p_{ij}^{(n)}=p_{ij}^n$ (according to my notes). It seems like that 2nd equation not…
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Markov chain - probability of being in state 4 after five steps?

I need to find the probability of being in state 4 after five steps in this markov chain. My first inclination would be that it has to go to 7 then 4, so (.6)(.5) then subtract probability of leaving 4 (1-.1); I would then put it to the 3rd power…
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Equilibrium distribution

I have learned that irreducible ergodic Markov process has an equilibrium distribution. Does equilibrium distribution exist if the Markov chain is not irreducible? Is the reducible Markov chain reversible?
Yuteng
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Continuous time markov Chain Intensity Matrix + Steady State

For the continuous time markov chain, the rate matrix Q can be defined with diagonal elements $$Q_{ii}=-\sum_{i\neq j}Q_{ij}$$ My question is this. Since the stationary distribution is defined such that $Q\vec{\pi}=0$ and the matrix Q is defined as…
yankeefan11
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