Stochastic Differential Equations

Dynamical systems with random influences occur throughout the physical, biological, and social sciences. By carefully studying a randomly varying system over a small time interval, a discrete stochastic process model can be constructed. Next, letting the time interval shrink to zero, an Ito stochastic differential equation model for the dynamical system is obtained.

The numerical analysis of stochastic differential equations differs significantly from that of ordinary differential equations due to peculiarities of stochastic calculus. This book provides an introduction to stochastic calculus and stochastic differential equations, in both theory and applications, emphasising the numerical methods needed to solve such equations. It assumes of the reader an undergraduate background in mathematical methods typical of engineers and physicists, though many chapters begin with a descriptive summary.