4 ms·
Random walks have plenty of counter-intuitive properties when it comes to returning to the origin. - The average distance from the origin increases as time goe
by kqr 3y ago
Random walks have plenty of counter-intuitive properties when it comes to returning to the origin.
- The average distance from the origin increases as time goes on.
- But the average coordinate any given step ends up on is and remains the origin for the duration of the walk.
More weirdly, though I don't know if this is true in two dimensions (ah, a sibling comment states it only holds in one dimension -- thanks!)
- As time goes on, a single random walk will take longer and longer to return to the origin.
- But a single random walk still returns to the origin infinitely often!