An Introduction To Stochastic Differential Equations

These notes provide a concise introduction to stochastic differential equations and their application to the study of financial markets and as a basis for modeling diverse physical phenomena. They are accessible to non-specialists and make a valuable addition to the collection of texts on the topic. --Srinivasa Varadhan, New York University This is a handy and very useful text for studying stochastic differential equations. There is enough mathematical detail so that the reader can benefit from this introduction with only a basic background in mathematical analysis and probability. --George Papanicolaou, Stanford University This book covers the most important elementary facts regarding stochastic differential equations; it also describes some of the applications to partial differential equations, optimal stopping, and options pricing. The book's style is intuitive rather than formal, and emphasis is made on clarity. This book will be very helpful to starting graduate students and strong undergraduates as well as to others who want to gain knowledge of stochastic differential equations. I recommend this book enthusiastically. --Alexander Lipton, Mathematical Finance Executive, Bank of America Merrill Lynch This short book provides a quick, but very readable introduction to stochastic differential equations, that is, to differential equations subject to additive ``white noise'' and related random disturbances. The exposition is concise and strongly focused upon the interplay between probabilistic intuition and mathematical rigor. Topics include a quick survey of measure theoretic probability theory, followed by an introduction to Brownian motion and the Ito stochastic calculus, and finally the theory of stochastic differential equations. The text also includes applications to partial differential equations, optimal stopping problems and options pricing. This book can be used as a text for senior undergraduates or beginning graduate students in mathematics, applied mathematics, physics, financial mathematics, etc., who want to learn the basics of stochastic differential equations. The reader is assumed to be fairly familiar with measure theoretic mathematical analysis, but is not assumed to have any particular knowledge of probability theory (which is rapidly developed in Chapter 2 of the book).

These notes are based on a postgraduate course I gave on stochastic differential equations at Edinburgh University in the spring 1982. No previous knowledge about the subject was assumed, but the presen tation is based on some background in measure theory. There are several reasons why one should learn more about stochastic differential equations: They have a wide range of applica tions outside mathematics, there are many fruitful connections to other mathematical disciplines and the subject has a rapidly develop ing life of its own as a fascinating research field with many interesting unanswered questions. Unfortunately most of the literature about stochastic differential equations seems to place so much emphasis on rigor and complete ness that is scares many nonexperts away. These notes are an attempt to approach the subject from the nonexpert point of view: Not knowing anything (except rumours, maybe) about a subject to start with, what would I like to know first of all? My answer would be: 1) In what situations does the subject arise? 2) What are its essential features? 3) What are the applications and the connections to other fields? I would not be so interested in the proof of the most general case, but rather in an easier proof of a special case, which may give just as much of the basic idea in the argument. And I would be willing to believe some basic results without proof (at first stage, anyway) in order to have time for some more basic applications.

The numerical analysis of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) differs significantly from that of ordinary differential equations. This book provides an easily accessible introduction to SDEs, their applications and the numerical methods to solve such equations. From the reviews: "The authors draw upon their own research and experiences in obviously many disciplines... considerable time has obviously been spent writing this in the simplest language possible." --ZAMP

With this hands-on introduction readers will learn what SDEs are all about and how they should use them in practice.

This is an introduction to stochastic integration and stochastic differential equations written in an understandable way for a wide audience, from students of mathematics to practitioners in biology, chemistry, physics, and finances. The presentation is based on the naïve stochastic integration, rather than on abstract theories of measure and stochastic processes. The proofs are rather simple for practitioners and, at the same time, rather rigorous for mathematicians. Detailed application examples in natural sciences and finance are presented. Much attention is paid to simulation diffusion processes. The topics covered include Brownian motion; motivation of stochastic models with Brownian motion; Itô and Stratonovich stochastic integrals, Itô’s formula; stochastic differential equations (SDEs); solutions of SDEs as Markov processes; application examples in physical sciences and finance; simulation of solutions of SDEs (strong and weak approximations). Exercises with hints and/or solutions are also provided.

A comprehensive introduction to the core issues of stochastic differential equations and their effective application Introduction to Stochastic Differential Equations with Applications to Modelling in Biology and Finance offers a comprehensive examination to the most important issues of stochastic differential equations and their applications. The author — a noted expert in the field — includes myriad illustrative examples in modelling dynamical phenomena subject to randomness, mainly in biology, bioeconomics and finance, that clearly demonstrate the usefulness of stochastic differential equations in these and many other areas of science and technology. The text also features real-life situations with experimental data, thus covering topics such as Monte Carlo simulation and statistical issues of estimation, model choice and prediction. The book includes the basic theory of option pricing and its effective application using real-life. The important issue of which stochastic calculus, Itô or Stratonovich, should be used in applications is dealt with and the associated controversy resolved. Written to be accessible for both mathematically advanced readers and those with a basic understanding, the text offers a wealth of exercises and examples of application. This important volume: Contains a complete introduction to the basic issues of stochastic differential equations and their effective application Includes many examples in modelling, mainly from the biology and finance fields Shows how to: Translate the physical dynamical phenomenon to mathematical models and back, apply with real data, use the models to study different scenarios and understand the effect of human interventions Conveys the intuition behind the theoretical concepts Presents exercises that are designed to enhance understanding Offers a supporting website that features solutions to exercises and R code for algorithm implementation Written for use by graduate students, from the areas of application or from mathematics and statistics, as well as academics and professionals wishing to study or to apply these models, Introduction to Stochastic Differential Equations with Applications to Modelling in Biology and Finance is the authoritative guide to understanding the issues of stochastic differential equations and their application.

A beginner’s guide to stochastic growth modeling The chief advantage of stochastic growth models over deterministic models is that they combine both deterministic and stochastic elements of dynamic behaviors, such as weather, natural disasters, market fluctuations, and epidemics. This makes stochastic modeling a powerful tool in the hands of practitioners in fields for which population growth is a critical determinant of outcomes. However, the background requirements for studying SDEs can be daunting for those who lack the rigorous course of study received by math majors. Designed to be accessible to readers who have had only a few courses in calculus and statistics, this book offers a comprehensive review of the mathematical essentials needed to understand and apply stochastic growth models. In addition, the book describes deterministic and stochastic applications of population growth models including logistic, generalized logistic, Gompertz, negative exponential, and linear. Ideal for students and professionals in an array of fields including economics, population studies, environmental sciences, epidemiology, engineering, finance, and the biological sciences, Stochastic Differential Equations: An Introduction with Applications in Population Dynamics Modeling: • Provides precise definitions of many important terms and concepts and provides many solved example problems • Highlights the interpretation of results and does not rely on a theorem-proof approach • Features comprehensive chapters addressing any background deficiencies readers may have and offers a comprehensive review for those who need a mathematics refresher • Emphasizes solution techniques for SDEs and their practical application to the development of stochastic population models An indispensable resource for students and practitioners with limited exposure to mathematics and statistics, Stochastic Differential Equations: An Introduction with Applications in Population Dynamics Modeling is an excellent fit for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students, as well as practitioners who need a gentle introduction to SDEs. Michael J. Panik, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Economics, Barney School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. He received his PhD in Economics from Boston College and is a member of the American Mathematical Society, The American Statistical Association, and The Econometric Society.

This is an introduction to probabilistic and statistical concepts necessary to understand the basic ideas and methods of stochastic differential equations. Based on measure theory, which is introduced as smoothly as possible, it provides practical skills in the use of MAPLE in the context of probability and its applications. It offers to graduates and advanced undergraduates an overview and intuitive background for more advanced studies.