Skip to main content
Log in

Approximating probability densities on the positive half-line

  • Contributed Papers
  • Published:
Queueing Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A variety of methods for approximating probability density functions on the positive half-line are presented and discussed. In particular, the method of moments and orthogonal expansion methods are studied. We give a new, computational proof that continuous probability densities vanishing at ∞ can be uniformly approximated by generalized hyper-exponential densities. The same denseness property is also shown to hold for families of densities expressible as sums of Erlang densitieswith common fixed rate parameter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. Abate and W. Whitt, Transient behavior of regulated Brownian motion, I: Starting at the origin, Advances in Applied Probability 19 (1987) 521–545.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Abramowitz, M. and Stegun, I.A.,Handbook of Mathematical Functions (Dover, 1965).

  3. R.F. Botta and C.M. Harris, Approximation with generalized hyperexponential distributions: weak convergence results, Queueing Systems 1 (1986) 169–190.

    Google Scholar 

  4. R.F. Botta, C.M. Harris and W.G. Marchal, Characterizations of generalized hyper-exponential distribution functions, Stochastic Models 3 (1987) 115–148.

    Google Scholar 

  5. A. Bjorck and V. Pereyra, Solution of Vandermonde Systems of Equations, Math. Comp. 24 (1970) 893–903.

    Google Scholar 

  6. B. Davies and B. Martin, Numerical inversion of the Laplace transform, Journal of Comp. Phys. 33 (1979) 1–32.

    Google Scholar 

  7. P.J. Davis,Interpolation and Approximation (Dover, 1975).

  8. W. Feller,An Introduction to Probability Theory and its Applications, Vol. II (John Wiley and Sons, 1966).

  9. G. Galimberti and V. Pereyra, Solving confluent Vandermonde systems of Hermite type, Numer. Math. 18 (1970) 44–60.

    Google Scholar 

  10. P. Henrici,Applied and Computational Complex Analysis, Vol. 1 (Wiley-Interscience, 1974).

  11. P. Henrici,Applied and Computational Complex Analysis, Vol. 2 (Wiley-Interscience, 1976).

  12. P. Henrici,Applied and Computational Complex Analysis, Vol. 3 (Wiley-Interscience, 1986).

  13. K. Ito and H.P. McKean,Diffusion Processes and Their Sample Paths (Springer-Verlag, 1965).

  14. J. Keilson, Log-concavity and log-convexity in passage time densities of diffusion and and birth-death processes, Journal of Appl. Prob. 8 (1971) 391–398.

    Google Scholar 

  15. J. Keilson and W.R. Nunn, Laguerre transform as a tool for numerical solution of integral equations of convolution type, Appl. Math. Comput. 5 (1979) 313–359.

    Google Scholar 

  16. J.T. Kent, Eigenvalue expansions for diffusion hitting times, Z. Wahr. 52 (1980) 309–319.

    Google Scholar 

  17. P.P. Korovkin,Linear Operators and Approximation Theory (Hindustan Publishing Corp, 1960).

  18. C. Lanczos,Applied Analysis (Prentice Hall, 1956).

  19. A. Papoulis, Inversion of the Laplace Transform, Quarterly of Applied Math. 14 (1957) 405–414.

    Google Scholar 

  20. T.J. Rivlin,Approximation of Functions (Dover, 1981).

  21. U. Sumita and Y. Masuda, Classes of probability density functions having Laplace transforms with negative zeros and poles, Adv. Appl. Prob. 19 (1987) 632–651.

    Google Scholar 

  22. M.L. Wenocur, First passage times: approximations and related differential equations, Stochastic Processes and Their Applications 27 (1988) 159–177.

    Google Scholar 

  23. D.V. Widder,The Laplace Transform (Princeton University Press, 1946).

  24. J.V. Wilkinson, in:Studies in Numerical Analysis, ed. G. Golub (Mathematical Association of America, 1984).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This research was supported in part by Air Force Office of Scientific Research Contract F49620-86-C-0022.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wenocur, M.L. Approximating probability densities on the positive half-line. Queueing Syst 4, 115–135 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01158548

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01158548

Keywords

Navigation