Consider a branching process with offspring distribution Geometric( alpha ); that is, p_k=alpha(1-alpha)^k for k geq 0.

Cyrus Munoz

Cyrus Munoz

Open question

2022-08-19

Branching Process - Extinction probability geometric
Consider a branching process with offspring distribution Geometric( α); that is, p k = α ( 1 α ) k for k 0.
a) For what values of α ( 0 , 1 ) is the extinction probability q = 1.
Let { Z n } n 0 be a branching process with p 0 > 0. Let μ = k 0 k p k be the mean of the offspring distribution and let g ( s ) = k 0 s k p k be the probability generating function of the offspring distribution.
- If μ 1, then the extinction probability q = 1.
- If μ > 1, then the extinction probability q is the unique solution to the equation s = g ( s ) with s ( 0 , 1 ).
b) Use the following proposition to give a formula for the extinction probability of the branching process for any value of the parameter α ( 0 , 1 ).

Answer & Explanation

Carmelo Peck

Carmelo Peck

Beginner2022-08-20Added 12 answers

Step 1
The extinction probability is the smaller of the two roots in [0,1] of the equation k = 0 p k z k = s. In this equation this equation becomes α 1 ( 1 α ) s = s or ( 1 α ) s 2 s + α = 0.
Step 2
You can write this as ( 1 s ) ( α ( 1 α ) s ) = 0 so the extinction probability is α 1 α .

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