There are many different types of random walks, characterized by different specifications with respect to dimensions, the role of time, and whether probabilities remain constant, or are state-dependent. The theory of random walks is widely used in many fields. In economics, for example, it might represent price movements of a stock (a one-dimensional model). In ecology, it might represent the movements of an animal seeking food (a two-dimensional model). In physics, it might represent the motion of a particle in space (a three-dimensional model). Often, analysis of the data will attempt to assess whether the behavior differs sufficiently from a random walk to conclude that an alternative model is appropriate.
Week #9 – Random Walk
- January 7, 2013
- , 5:52 pm
A random walk is a process of random steps, motions, or transitions. It might be in one dimension (movement along a line), in two dimensions (movements in a plane), or in three dimensions or more.