Product Description

This introduction to Probability Theory can be used, at the beginning graduate level, for a one-semester course on Probability Theory or for self-direction without benefit of a formal course; the measure theory needed is developed in the text. It will also be useful for students and teachers in related areas such as Finance Theory (Economics), Electrical Engineering, and Operations Research. The text covers the essentials in a directed and lean way with 28 short chapters. Assuming of readers only an undergraduate background in mathematics, it brings them from a starting knowledge of the subject to a knowledge of the basics of Martingale Theory. After learning Probability Theory from this text, the interested student will be ready to continue with the study of more advanced topics, such as Brownian Motion and Ito Calculus, or Statistical Inference.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2245739 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 250 pages

Review
"(The book is) a lean and largely self-contained introduction to the modern theory of probability, aimed at advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students. The 28 short chapters belie the book's genesis as polished lecture notes; the exposition is sleek and rigorous and each chapter ends with a supporting collection of mainly routine exercises. ... The authors make it clear what luggage is required for this exhilarating trek,... a good knowledge of advanced calculus, some linear algebra, and some "mathematical sophistication". With this understood, the itinerary is immaculately paced and planned with just the right balances of technical ascents and pauses to admire the scenery. Within the constraints of a slim volume, it is hard to imagine how the authors could have done a more effective or more attractive job." The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 84, No 500, 2000 "The authors provide the shortest path through the twenty-eight chapter headings. The topics are treated in a mathematically and pedagogically digestible way. The writing is concise and crisp: the average chapter length is about eight pages. ... Numerous exercises add to the value of the text as a teaching tool. In conclusion, this is an excellent text for the intended audience."
Short Book Reviews, Vol. 21, No. 2, 2001

Customer Reviews

All background needed for Ito calculus is here
This is an excellent and timely textbook on probability and martingale theory. There is an increasing need of thorough but concise treatise of probability theory for researchers and graduate students in Engineering, Economics, Statistics and Mathematical Biology. Very few textbook fill this need. Jacod and Protter succeeded in bringing together essential concepts and theorems in probability/martingale theory in a clear and lucid style and the book is completely self-contained: all necessary machinery from measure theory are explained and proved while providing a flavor of probabilistic way of thinking. Unlike Williams' "Probability with Martingales", all mathematical details are covered in the body of text. They present conditional expectation through Hilbert space approach and Radon-Nikodym theorem is proved at the end of the book using martingales. This is an indoctrinated way of showing how martingales are applied in other field of mathematics. Each chapter starts with pedagogical explanation of concept and summary of results. This helps reader grasp concepts and develop intuition. The topics, examples and exercises are carefully chosen and well organized. I found several but minor typos and discrepancy in the notation during the last five chapters. Yes, elegant proof is given for each theorem on martingales but rephrasing them may help make it clear where in the proof previous results are used and applied. Also, it would be a great idea to include introductory texts on stochastic calculus in the reference for the beginning students. Despite these minor suggestions, I recommend the book with enthusiasm. After reading this book, one can take their way immediately to stochastic calculus: Brownian motion and Ito calculus and their applications.

All backgound needed for Ito calculus is here!
This is an excellent and timely textbook on probability and martingale theory. There is an increasing need of thorough but concise treatise of probability theory for researchers and graduate students in Engineering, Economics, Statistics and Mathematical Biology. Very few textbook fill this need. Jacod and Protter succeeded in bringing together essential concepts and theorems in probability/martingale theory in a clear and lucid style and the book is completely self-contained: all necessary machinery from measure theory are explained and proved while providing a flavor of probabilistic way of thinking. Unlike Williams' "Probability with Martingales", all mathematical details are covered in the body of text. They present conditional expectation through Hilbert space approach and Radon-Nikodym theorem is proved at the end of the book using martingales. This is an indoctrinated way of showing how martingales are applied in other field of mathematics. Each chapter starts with pedagogical explanation of concept and summary of results. This helps reader grasp concepts and develop intuition. The topics, examples and exercises are carefully chosen and well organized. I found several but minor typos and discrepancy in the notation during the last five chapters. Yes, elegant proof is given for each theorem on martingales but rephrasing them may help make it clear where in the proof previously results are used and applied. Also, it would be a great idea to include introductory texts on stochastic calculus for the beginning students. Despite these minor suggestions, I recommend the book with enthusiasm. After reading this book, one can take their way immediately to stochastic calculus: Brownian motion and Ito calculus.