scholarly journals Capturing the Drunk Robber on a Graph

10.37236/3398 ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Komarov ◽  
Peter Winkler
Keyword(s):  
Random Walk ◽  
Undirected Graph ◽  
Simple Random Walk ◽  
Adjacent Vertex ◽  
Expected Time ◽  
Capture Time ◽  
Vertex Graph

We show that the expected time for a smart "cop"' to catch a drunk "robber" on an $n$-vertex graph is at most $n + {\rm o}(n)$. More precisely, let $G$ be a simple, connected, undirected graph with distinguished points $u$ and $v$ among its $n$ vertices. A cop begins at $u$ and a robber at $v$; they move alternately from vertex to adjacent vertex. The robber moves randomly, according to a simple random walk on $G$; the cop sees all and moves as she wishes, with the object of "capturing" the robber—that is, occupying the same vertex—in least expected time. We show that the cop succeeds in expected time no more than $n {+} {\rm o}(n)$. Since there are graphs in which capture time is at least $n {-} o(n)$, this is roughly best possible. We note also that no function of the diameter can be a bound on capture time.

scholarly journals Cover Time in Edge-Uniform Stochastically-Evolving Graphs

Algorithms ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Lamprou ◽  
Russell Martin ◽  
Paul Spirakis
Keyword(s):  
Random Walk ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Simple Random Walk ◽  
Electrical Network ◽  
Dynamic Graph ◽  
Cover Time ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Evolving Graphs ◽  
Expected Time ◽  
Experimental Findings

We define a general model of stochastically-evolving graphs, namely the edge-uniform stochastically-evolving graphs. In this model, each possible edge of an underlying general static graph evolves independently being either alive or dead at each discrete time step of evolution following a (Markovian) stochastic rule. The stochastic rule is identical for each possible edge and may depend on the past k ≥ 0 observations of the edge’s state. We examine two kinds of random walks for a single agent taking place in such a dynamic graph: (i) The Random Walk with a Delay (RWD), where at each step, the agent chooses (uniformly at random) an incident possible edge, i.e., an incident edge in the underlying static graph, and then, it waits till the edge becomes alive to traverse it. (ii) The more natural Random Walk on what is Available (RWA), where the agent only looks at alive incident edges at each time step and traverses one of them uniformly at random. Our study is on bounding the cover time, i.e., the expected time until each node is visited at least once by the agent. For RWD, we provide a first upper bound for the cases k = 0 , 1 by correlating RWD with a simple random walk on a static graph. Moreover, we present a modified electrical network theory capturing the k = 0 case. For RWA, we derive some first bounds for the case k = 0 , by reducing RWA to an RWD-equivalent walk with a modified delay. Further, we also provide a framework that is shown to compute the exact value of the cover time for a general family of stochastically-evolving graphs in exponential time. Finally, we conduct experiments on the cover time of RWA in edge-uniform graphs and compare the experimental findings with our theoretical bounds.

Kemeny's Constant And An Analogue Of Braess' Paradox For Trees

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 444-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Kirkland ◽  
Ze Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Random Walk ◽  
Transition Matrix ◽  
Undirected Graph ◽  
Stochastic Matrix ◽  
Simple Expression ◽  
Initial State ◽  
Final State ◽  
Expected Time ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Special Case

Given an irreducible stochastic matrix M, Kemeny’s constant K(M) measures the expected time for the corresponding Markov chain to transition from any given initial state to a randomly chosen final state. A combinatorially based expression for K(M) is provided in terms of the weights of certain directed forests in a directed graph associated with M, yielding a particularly simple expression in the special case that M is the transition matrix for a random walk on a tree. An analogue of Braess’ paradox is investigated, whereby inserting an edge into an undirected graph can increase the value of Kemeny’s constant for the corresponding random walk. It is shown in particular that for almost all trees, there is an edge whose insertion increases the corresponding value of Kemeny’s constant. Finally, it is proven that for any m ∈ N, almost every tree T has the property that there are at least m trees, none of which are isomorphic to T , such that the values of Kemeny’s constant for the corresponding random walks coincide with the value of Kemeny’s constant for the random walk on T . Several illustrative examples are included.

The size of the region occupied by one type in an invasion process

1976 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 355-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aidan Sudbury
Keyword(s):  
Random Walk ◽  
Simple Random Walk ◽  
Rectangular Lattice ◽  
Invasion Process

Particles are situated on a rectangular lattice and proceed to invade each other's territory. When they are equally competitive this creates larger and larger blocks of one type as time goes by. It is shown that the expected size of such blocks is equal to the expected range of a simple random walk.

On coupling of random walks and renewal processes

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-126
Author(s):  
Torgny Lindvall ◽  
L. C. G. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Random Walk ◽  
Random Walks ◽  
Simple Random Walk ◽  
Renewal Processes ◽  
Renewal Theorem ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Continuous State Space ◽  
Continuous State ◽  
Efficient Coupling ◽  
Blackwell's Renewal Theorem

The use of Mineka coupling is extended to a case with a continuous state space: an efficient coupling of random walks S and S' in can be made such that S' — S is virtually a one-dimensional simple random walk. This insight settles a zero-two law of ergodicity. One more proof of Blackwell's renewal theorem is also presented.

A Simple Random Walk Model for Dairy Cow Calving Time Prediction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thi Thi Zin ◽  
Pyke Tin ◽  
Pann Thinzar Seint ◽  
Kosuke Sumi ◽  
Ikuo Kobayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Random Walk ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Simple Random Walk ◽  
Random Walk Model ◽  
Time Prediction

scholarly journals Diamond aggregation

2010 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-372
Author(s):  
WOUTER KAGER ◽  
LIONEL LEVINE
Keyword(s):  
Random Walk ◽  
Growth Model ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Simple Random Walk ◽  
Internal Diffusion ◽  
Diffusion Limited Aggregation ◽  
Directional Bias ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Diffusion Limited ◽  
Logarithmic Fluctuations

AbstractInternal diffusion-limited aggregation is a growth model based on random walk in ℤd. We study how the shape of the aggregate depends on the law of the underlying walk, focusing on a family of walks in ℤ2 for which the limiting shape is a diamond. Certain of these walks—those with a directional bias toward the origin—have at most logarithmic fluctuations around the limiting shape. This contrasts with the simple random walk, where the limiting shape is a disk and the best known bound on the fluctuations, due to Lawler, is a power law. Our walks enjoy a uniform layering property which simplifies many of the proofs.

On the number of times where a simple random walk reaches its maximum

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (02) ◽  
pp. 305-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Katzenbeisser ◽  
W. Panny
Keyword(s):  
Asymptotic Behavior ◽  
Random Walk ◽  
Random Walks ◽  
Simple Random Walk ◽  
Probability And Statistics

Let Qn denote the number of times where a simple random walk reaches its maximum, where the random walk starts at the origin and returns to the origin after 2n steps. Such random walks play an important role in probability and statistics. In this paper the distribution and the moments of Qn , are considered and their asymptotic behavior is studied.

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