Chapter 9: Problem 7
Let \(Y_{n}\) be the number of heads shown in \(n\) tosses of a coin. Let \(Z_{n}=Y_{n}\) modulo 10 . Show that \(\left(Z_{n}\right.\); \(n \geq 0)\) is a Markov chain; find its transition probabilities and stationary distribution.
Short Answer
Expert verified
\((Z_n, n \geq 0)\) is a Markov chain with uniform transition probabilities and stationary distribution \(\pi_i = 0.1\) for each state \(i\).
Step by step solution
01
Define the Variables and Problem Context
First, let's interpret the problem statement. We are given a sequence \(Y_n\), which represents the number of heads in \(n\) coin tosses. \(Z_n = Y_n \mod 10\) then represents the remainder when \(Y_n\) is divided by 10. We need to show \((Z_n, n \geq 0)\) is a Markov chain, find its transition probabilities, and identify the stationary distribution.
02
Determine the State Space
The state space \(S\) of \(Z_n\) is the set of all possible remainders when dividing by 10, which is \(\{0, 1, 2, \ldots, 9\}\). Since after each coin toss, the number of heads can change by either 0 or 1 and impacts the current remainder, the states of \(Z_n\) will be among these 10 values.
03
Establish the Markov Property
The sequence \((Z_n)\) has the Markov property if the future state depends only on the present state, not on the past states. Since the remainder of heads after the next toss adds either 0 or 1 to the current count \(Y_n\), the probability of transitioning to the next state depends only on \(Z_n\), confirming the Markov property.
04
Find the Transition Probabilities
For any state \(i \in \{0, 1, \, \ldots, 9\}\), the transition probability \(P_{ij}\) is given by:1. \(P_{i,i} = \frac{1}{2}\), indicating a head keeps you in the current state modulo 10 with 50% chance.2. \(P_{i,i+1} = \frac{1}{2}\), indicating a head changes the state to \(i+1\) modulo 10 with 50% chance.3. For state 9, \(P_{9,0} = \frac{1}{2}\), since moving from 9 to the next state in modulo 10 results in 0.
05
Solve for the Stationary Distribution
The stationary distribution \(\pi\) satisfies \(\pi_j = \sum_{i}\pi_i P_{ij}\), for all states \(j\). Given symmetry and uniformity of transition probabilities, the stationary distribution is uniform: \(\pi_i = 0.1\) for each state \(i\in \{0, 1, \, \ldots, 9\}\). This satisfies normalization \(\sum_{i=0}^{9}\pi_i = 1\).
06
Conclusions
The process \((Z_n, n \geq 0)\) forms a Markov chain with state space \(\{0, 1, \ldots, 9\}\), equal probability transitions \(P_{i,i}=\frac{1}{2}\), and \(P_{i,i+1}=\frac{1}{2}\) modulo 10. The stationary distribution is uniform across all states: each state has probability 0.1.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Transition Probabilities
In a Markov chain, transition probabilities describe how likely it is to move from one state to another in a single time step. For the sequence \( (Z_n) \), each state represents a remainder when the number of heads in coin tosses is divided by 10. Transition probabilities account for the possibilities of getting heads or tails on the next coin toss.
- When the state is \( i \), there is a 50% chance (probability \( \frac{1}{2} \)) to stay in the same remainder, i.e., catching a tail.
- There is also a 50% chance to move to \( i+1 \) if heads appear, except when \( i = 9 \), where moving forward wraps around to 0.
Stationary Distribution
The stationary distribution provides a stable long-term probability for each state in a Markov chain. It is the distribution that remains unchanged as the system evolves over time. For the Markov chain \((Z_n)\), the stationary distribution can be derived by considering the uniform transition probabilities that do not favor any state over another.
- The equation \( \pi_j = \sum_{i} \pi_i P_{ij} \) must hold true for all states \( j \).
- In this case, all states \( i = 0, 1, \, \ldots, 9 \) are equally likely in the long run because the coin is fair.
State Space
The state space of a Markov chain is a fundamental concept defining all possible states the process can occupy. For the \( (Z_n) \) sequence, the state space is directly related to the possible remainders when dividing the number of heads by 10.
- The state space is \( \{0, 1, 2, \ldots, 9\} \), capturing each remainder possible when numbers are taken modulo 10.
- Each state represents a different remainder, which results from the varying number of heads obtained over continued coin tosses.
Markov Property
The Markov property is a key characteristic of processes where future states depend only on the current state, not past states. This property assures that the process is memoryless, making calculations straightforward and assumptions cleaner.
- For the sequence \((Z_n)\), the future state is determined solely by the current remainder and the outcome of the next coin toss.
- The Markov property holds because each transition probability depends only on \( Z_n \), not on the sequence of previous coin tosses.