Edward C. Waymire – författare

Introductory Probability is a pleasure to read and provides a fine answer to the question: How do you construct Brownian motion from scratch, given that you are a competent analyst?

There are at least two ways to develop probability theory. The more familiar path is to treat it as its own discipline, and work from intuitive examples such as coin flips and conundrums such as the Monty Hall problem. An alternative is to first develop measure theory and analysis, and then add interpretation. Bhattacharya and Waymire take the second path. To illustrate the authors'' frame of reference, consider the two definitions they give of conditional expectation. The first is as a projection of L2 spaces. The authors rely on the reader to be familiar with Hilbert space operators and at a glance, the connection to probability may not be not apparent. Subsequently, there is a discusssion of Bayes''s rule and other relevant probabilistic concepts that lead to a definition of conditional expectation as an adjustment of random outcomes from a finer to a coarser information set.

This textbook offers an approachable introduction to stochastic processes that explores the four pillars of random walk, branching processes, Brownian motion, and martingales. Building from simple examples, the authors focus on developing context and intuition before formalizing the theory of each topic. This inviting approach illuminates the key ideas and computations in the proofs, forming an ideal basis for further study.

Consisting of many short chapters, the book begins with a comprehensive account of the simple random walk in one dimension. From here, different paths may be chosen according to interest. Themes span Poisson processes, branching processes, the Kolmogorov–Chentsov theorem, martingales, renewal theory, and Brownian motion. Special topics follow, showcasing a selection of important contemporary applications, including mathematical finance, optimal stopping, ruin theory, branching random walk, and equations of fluids. Engaging exercises accompany the theorythroughout.

Random Walk, Brownian Motion, and Martingales is an ideal introduction to the rigorous study of stochastic processes. Students and instructors alike will appreciate the accessible, example-driven approach. A single, graduate-level course in probability is assumed.

This textbook explores two distinct stochastic processes that evolve at random: weakly stationary processes and discrete parameter Markov processes. Building from simple examples, the authors focus on developing context and intuition before formalizing the theory of each topic. This inviting approach illuminates the key ideas and computations in the proofs, forming an ideal basis for further study.

After recapping the essentials from Fourier analysis, the book begins with an introduction to the spectral representation of a stationary process. Topics in ergodic theory follow, including Birkhoff’s Ergodic Theorem and an introduction to dynamical systems. From here, the Markov property is assumed and the theory of discrete parameter Markov processes is explored on a general state space. Chapters cover a variety of topics, including birth–death chains, hitting probabilities and absorption, the representation of Markov processes as iterates of random maps, and large deviation theory for Markov processes. A chapter on geometric rates of convergence to equilibrium includes a splitting condition that captures the recurrence structure of certain iterated maps in a novel way. A selection of special topics concludes the book, including applications of large deviation theory, the FKG inequalities, coupling methods, and the Kalman filter.

Featuring many short chapters and a modular design, this textbook offers an in-depth study of stationary and discrete-time Markov processes. Students and instructors alike will appreciate the accessible, example-driven approach and engaging exercises throughout. A single, graduate-level course in probability is assumed.

This graduate text presents the elegant and profound theory of continuous parameter Markov processes and many of its applications.  The authors focus on developing context and intuition before formalizing the theory of each topic, illustrated with examples.

After a review of some background material, the reader is introduced to semigroup theory, including the Hille–Yosida Theorem,  used to construct continuous parameter Markov processes.  Illustrated with examples, it is a cornerstone of Feller’s seminal theory of the most general one-dimensional diffusions studied in a later chapter. This is followed by two chapters with probabilistic constructions of jump Markov processes,  and   processes with independent increments, or Lévy processes. The greater part of the book is devoted to  Itô’s fascinating theory of stochastic differential equations,  and to the study of  asymptotic properties of diffusions  in all dimensions, such as   explosion, transience, recurrence,  existence of steady states,  and the speed of convergence to equilibrium.  A broadly applicable functional central limit theorem for ergodic Markov processes is presented with important examples. Intimate connections between diffusions  and linear second order elliptic and parabolic partial differential equations are laid out in two chapters, and are used for computational purposes.  Among Special Topics chapters, two study anomalous diffusions: one on  skew Brownian motion, and the other on an intriguing multi-phase homogenization of solute transport in porous media.