Skip to main content
Log in

An Efficient Algorithm for Exact Distribution of Discrete Scan Statistics

  • Published:
Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Waiting time random variables and related scan statistics have a wide variety of interesting and useful applications. In this paper, exact distribution of discrete scan statistics for the cases of homogeneous two-state Markov dependent trials as well as i.i.d. Bernoulli trials are discussed by utilizing probability generating functions. A simple algorithm has been developed to calculate the distributions. Numerical results show that the algorithm is very efficient and is capable of handling large problems.

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

  • N. Balakrishnan and M. V. Koutras, Runs and Scans with Applications, Wiley: New York, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • N. Balakrishnan, S. G. Mohanty, and S. Aki, “Start-up demonstration tests under Markov dependence model with corrective actions,” Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics vol. 49 pp. 155–169, 1997.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • M. V. Boutsikas and M. V. Koutras, “Reliability approximation for Markov chain imbeddable systems,” Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability vol. 2 pp. 393–411, 2000.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • M. Ebneshahrashoob and M. Sobel, “Sooner and later waiting time problems for Bernoulli trials: Frequency and run quotas,” Statistics & Probability Letters vol. 9 pp. 5–11, 1990.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • M. Ebneshahrashoob, T. Gao, and M. Sobel, “Sequential window problems,” Sequential Analysis vol. 24 pp. 159–175, 2005.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • M. J. Evans and J. S. Rosenthal, Probability and Statistics, The Science of Uncertainty, W. H. Freeman and Company: New York, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  • W. Feller, An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications, Wiley: New York, 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  • J. C. Fu, “Distribution of the scan statistics for a sequence of bistate trials,” Journal of Applied Probability vol. 38 pp. 908–916, 2001.

    MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • J. C. Fu and W. Y. Lou, Distribution Theory of Runs and Patterns and Its Applications, World Scientific Publisher: Singapore, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • J. C. Fu, L. Q. Wang, and W. Y. Lou, “On exact and large deviation approximation for the distribution of the longest run in a sequence of two-state Markov dependent trials,” Journal of Applied Probability vol. 40 pp. 346–360, 2003.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • J. Glaz and N. Balakrishnan (eds.), Scan Statistics and Applications, Birkhäuser: Boston, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Glaz, J. I. Naus, and S. Wallenstein, Scan Statistics, Springer-Verlag: New York, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Lancaster and M. Tismenetsky, The Theory of Matrices: With Applications, Academic Press: Orlando, 2nd edition, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • J. I. Naus, “Probabilities for a generalized birthday problem,” Journal of the American Statistical Association vol. 69 pp. 810–815, 1974.

    MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Y. Saad, Iterative Methods for Sparse Linear Systems, SIAM: Philadelphia, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Morteza Ebneshahrashoob.

Additional information

AMS 2000 Subject Classification

60J22, 60E05, 60J10

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ebneshahrashoob, M., Gao, T. & Wu, M. An Efficient Algorithm for Exact Distribution of Discrete Scan Statistics. Methodol Comput Appl Probab 7, 459–471 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11009-005-5003-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11009-005-5003-0

Keywords

Navigation