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Main Authors: Caprio, Rocco, Johansen, Adam M.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.03853
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author Caprio, Rocco
Johansen, Adam M.
author_facet Caprio, Rocco
Johansen, Adam M.
contents Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms are based on the construction of a Markov chain with transition probabilities leaving invariant a probability distribution of interest. In this work, we look at these transition probabilities as functions of their invariant distributions, and we develop a notion of derivative in the invariant distribution of a MCMC kernel. We build around this concept a set of tools that we refer to as Markov chain Monte Carlo Calculus. This allows us to compare Markov chains with different invariant distributions within a suitable class via what we refer to as mean value inequalities. We explain how MCMC Calculus provides a natural framework to study algorithms using an approximation of an invariant distribution, and we illustrate this by using the tools developed to prove convergence of interacting and sequential MCMC algorithms. Finally, we discuss how similar ideas can be used in other frameworks.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2310_03853
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A calculus for Markov chain Monte Carlo: studying approximations in algorithms
Caprio, Rocco
Johansen, Adam M.
Probability
Statistics Theory
Computation
Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms are based on the construction of a Markov chain with transition probabilities leaving invariant a probability distribution of interest. In this work, we look at these transition probabilities as functions of their invariant distributions, and we develop a notion of derivative in the invariant distribution of a MCMC kernel. We build around this concept a set of tools that we refer to as Markov chain Monte Carlo Calculus. This allows us to compare Markov chains with different invariant distributions within a suitable class via what we refer to as mean value inequalities. We explain how MCMC Calculus provides a natural framework to study algorithms using an approximation of an invariant distribution, and we illustrate this by using the tools developed to prove convergence of interacting and sequential MCMC algorithms. Finally, we discuss how similar ideas can be used in other frameworks.
title A calculus for Markov chain Monte Carlo: studying approximations in algorithms
topic Probability
Statistics Theory
Computation
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.03853