The reverse Galton-Watson process
Keyword(s):
Consider the following path, Zn(w), of a Galton-Watson process in reverse. The probabilities that ZN–n = j given ZN = i converge, as N → ∞ to a probability function of a Markov process, Xn, which I call the ‘reverse process’. If the initial state is 0, I require that the transition probabilities be the limits given not only ZN = 0 but also ZN–1 > 0. This corresponds to looking at a Galton-Watson process just prior to extinction. This paper gives the n-step transition probabilities for the reverse process, a stationary distribution if m ≠ 1, and a limit law for Xn/n if m = 1 and σ2 < ∞. Two related results about Zcn, 0 < c < 1, for Galton-Watson processes conclude the paper.
1975 ◽
Vol 12
(03)
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pp. 574-580
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Keyword(s):
1967 ◽
Vol 4
(03)
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pp. 489-495
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Keyword(s):
2013 ◽
Vol 2013
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pp. 1-13
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