# Markov Process, Markov Chain

I am trying to explain the differences between the following concepts to someone and I realized I myself am super confused:

Continuous/discrete Markov Process

Continuous/Discrete Markov chains

Markov property : $\mathrm{P}\{X_n=i|X_{n−1}=j,X_{n−2}=k,...\}=\mathrm{P}\{X_n=i|X_{n−1}=j\}\mathrm{P}\{X_n=i|X_{n−1}=j,X_{n−2}=k,...\}=\mathrm{P}\{X_n=i|X_{n−1}=j\} ?$

I used to think: Every process that has Markov property is a Markov Process. Every Markov process is a Markov chain and every Markov chain is a Markov process.

But it seems crazy now when I think about it, because if they are all the same, why there are different names for them?

And they are continuous (discrete) if their parameter set TT is continuous (discrete) regardless of their state space?

I want to start with homogeneous Markov chain and process too. But since I am already too confused and Wikipedia is making me more confused, I prefer to wait till I get these basic definitions straight first (any nice analogy that can be useful to teach them to others would be highly appreciated too if any teacher here knows any.).

Thanks a lot

• Have you seen this? – Theoretical Economist Dec 25 '16 at 9:13
• @TheoreticalEconimist... So, according to The count, it is all about the state space. If a stochastic process with Markov property has a continuous (/discrete) index set with discrete state space, it is a continuous (/discrete) Markov chain. But if the same stochastic process with Markov property has continuous state space, then it is a Markov process. Now if anyone can explain how state space can be continuous? any examples? – Tayebe Dec 25 '16 at 9:31
• Sure. The Brownian Motion has a continuous state space. See here for other details. – Theoretical Economist Dec 25 '16 at 10:16
• oh no, not Wikipedia... that article really confuses me. I just realized something if you may confirm it for me please: If a random process has stationary increments that means it is time homogeneous? @TheoreticalEconomist – Tayebe Dec 25 '16 at 10:20
• Whoops. Just saw your complaint re Wikipedia. I agree with you; it can be quite confusing. See my answer in the SE post I linked to you first -- Markov Processes and Markov Chains are essentially the same thing, although some authors may draw some technical distinctions between them. However, they are both intended to be models of memoryless stochastic processes. Anyway, to answer your question, I'd say the answer is yes. – Theoretical Economist Dec 25 '16 at 10:32

It might be important to differentiate between the various stochastic process types based on both state space and time variable. (Note: discrete space/time can also be called countable.) So there are 4 types:

• Discrete-spacetime: the process moves from state-to-state (each of which can be represented by integers) in discrete steps. For example, imagine a random walk on a graph that takes a step for each $t\in \mathbb{Z}_{\geq 0}$.
• Discrete-time continuous-space: the process moves in discrete turns, but takes continuous values. For instance, the classic (discrete-time) random walk of unit step-size on $\mathbb{R}^n$. (See also here).
• Continuous-time discrete-space: the process moves continuously in time, but in a countable space (e.g. see Continuous-time discrete-space models for animal movement).
• Continuous spacetime: the time variable is continuous, and the process moves in a continuous space (e.g. $\mathbb{R}^n$). This includes Brownian motion and other Ito processes.

The next part is not so clearly agreed upon in the literature. I will simply state the definitions I am used to seeing.

A Markov process is any stochastic process that satisfies the Markov property. It doesn't matter which of the 4 process types it is.

A Markov chain is a Markov process with a discrete state space (i.e. can be type 1 or 3).

A Discrete-time Markov chain (or discrete Markov chain) is a Markov process in discrete time with a discrete state space (i.e. type 1, above).

A Continuous-time Markov chain (or continuous Markov chain) is a Markov process with a discrete state space in continuous time (i.e. of type 3). (E.g. see here).

A Stationary process is a stochastic process with a joint probability distribution that does not change when translated in time (see here).

A Time-homogeneous Markov chain is a stationary Markov chain. This means that the transition probabilities do not change in time. So, the probability of going from one state $s_1$ to another state $s_2$, once you are at $s_1$, is always the same (i.e. it doesn't matter when you get there).

A discrete-time stationary Markov chain is the most classic case (and in fact what most people mean when they say Markov chain).