The term "Markov Process" is often used in probability theory and stochastic processes. It refers to a mathematical model of a system where the future state depends only on the present state, and not on any previous states. The spelling of "Markov Process" is based on the name of the Russian mathematician Andrey Markov. It is pronounced as [ˈmɑːrkɔv ˈprɒsɛs] in Received Pronunciation (RP) accent. The first syllable is stressed and is pronounced with an "ah" sound, followed by the "r" sound. The second syllable is pronounced with a rounded "o" sound and the final syllable has the short "e" sound.
A Markov Process, also referred to as a Markov chain, is a mathematical model that encompasses a range of random processes characterized by the Markov property. It is named after the Russian mathematician Andrey Markov, who extensively studied these processes in the early 20th century.
In a Markov Process, the future state of a system is solely determined by its present state, and not by its past states. This property is often referred to as the memoryless property. The state of the system can represent a wide variety of situations like the positions of particles, stock prices, weather conditions, or social media user behavior.
A Markov Process is usually defined by a set of states and a probability distribution known as the transition matrix, which determines the likelihood of transitioning from one state to another in a single time step. The probability of transitioning to a particular state depends only on the current state and not on the history of states.
These processes are widely used in various fields, including statistics, physics, economics, computer science, and biology. They are valuable for modeling dynamic systems where predicting future states is essential. Additionally, Markov Processes are often employed in the design and analysis of algorithms, simulation modeling, machine learning, and forecasting. The stationary distribution of a Markov Process provides insights into long-term behavior, equilibrium states, and steadiness of the system. Overall, Markov Processes offer a vital framework for understanding and predicting various phenomena by leveraging the simplicity and power of the memoryless property.
The concept of a Markov process is named after the Russian mathematician Andrey Markov, who first introduced the idea in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term "Markov" is derived from Andrey Markov's last name.