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Monte Carlo Method

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Encyclopedia of Mathematical Geosciences

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

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Definition

Any random process can, in principle, be represented by a computer program using pseudorandom numbers. If near-perfectly independent random numbers between 0 and 1 can be produced, appropriate functions of these numbers can simulate realizations of practically any probability distribution needed in technical and scientific applications. The development of Monte Carlo methods grew out of our ability to find those functions and algorithms.

The literature on Monte Carlo methods is vast, and the methods are many. We cannot cover everything here, but the intention is to provide a brief description of some of the most important techniques and their principles. After having reviewed basic techniques for random simulation, we shall move on to three high-level categories of Monte Carlo methods: testing, inference, and optimization. We shall also present some hybrid methods, as there is often no sharp borderline between the categories.

In the following, unless otherwise stated, we...

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Correspondence to Klaus Mosegaard .

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Mosegaard, K. (2022). Monte Carlo Method. In: Daya Sagar, B.S., Cheng, Q., McKinley, J., Agterberg, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Mathematical Geosciences. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26050-7_431-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26050-7_431-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-26050-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-26050-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Earth and Environm. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Monte Carlo Method
    Published:
    05 August 2022

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26050-7_431-2

  2. Original

    Monte Carlo Method
    Published:
    28 August 2021

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26050-7_431-1