Probability and Stochastic Processes: A Friendly Introduction for Electrical and Computer Engineers [Hardcover]

Roy D. Yates (Author), David Goodman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471272140 | ISBN-13: 978-0471272144 | Publication Date: May 20, 2004 | Edition: 2

This user-friendly resource will help you grasp the concepts of probability and stochastic processes, so you can apply them in professional engineering practice. The book presents concepts clearly as a sequence of building blocks that are identified either as an axiom, definition, or theorem. This approach provides a better understanding of the material, which can be used to solve practical problems.

Key Features:

• The text follows a single model that begins with an experiment consisting of a procedure and observations.
• The mathematics of discrete random variables appears separately from the mathematics of continuous random variables.
• Stochastic processes are introduced in Chapter 6, immediately after the presentation of discrete and continuous random variables. Subsequent material, including central limit theorem approximations, laws of large numbers, and statistical inference, then use examples that reinforce stochastic process concepts.
• An abundance of exercises are provided that help students learn how to put the theory to use.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Applications of probability theory appear throughout modern society, such as state lotteries, weather forecasts, insurance prices. Professionals use probability theory as an astute tool for decision making. Electrical and computer engineers use probability to design computer networks, test integrated circuits, and evaluate communications systems. This book is written to help engineers clearly grasp the concepts of probability and stochastic processes. It presents the theory of probability and stochastic process as a sequence of building blocks that are clearly identified. Each block is either an axiom, a definition, or a theorem. Intuitive explanations of new concepts are interspersed with mathematical statements. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Clear, engaging, and always friendly

Maintaining their highly popular, user-friendly approach, Roy Yates and David Goodman demystify probability unlike any other text today. The authors help you develop an intuitive grasp of the principles of probability and stochastic processes, allowing you to successfully solve basic engineering problems using these principles... with a smile.

The authors present the principles of probability and stochastic processes as a logical sequence of building blocks that are clearly identified as an axiom, definition, or theorem. For each new principle, examples illustrate the application of the mathematics to engineering problems. You’ll also have many opportunities for practice.

Now revised, this Second Edition features a new chapter on random vectors, expanded coverage of the applications of probability, a streamlined presentation of Markov chains and elementary queuing theory, and a tutorial in each chapter on using MATLAB.

With this text, you’ll be able to:

• Develop an intuitive understanding of the concepts.
• Follow a single clear model that begins with an experiment consisting of a procedure and observations.
• Put the theory into practice with an extensive collection of exercises (examples, quizzes, and homework problems).
• Gain hands-on experience with MATLAB applications.
• Master basic principles without the confusion of learning two different ways of calculating probabilities and averages at the same time. (Discrete and continuous random variables are treated separately.)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (May 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471272140
• ISBN-13: 978-0471272144
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 1 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book to Teach From..., December 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Probability and Stochastic Processes: A Friendly Introduction for Electrical and Computer Engineers (Hardcover)

I taught an undergraduate course in probability and stochastic processes last summer using this book. This book is so clearly written and laid out that for the first time in 20 years of teaching I could lecture directly from the book rather than having to spend the time to make up a set of notes. The many worked out problems are very helpful in illustrating concepts. All in all a great book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pretty good book indeed!, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Probability and Stochastic Processes: A Friendly Introduction for Electrical and Computer Engineers (Hardcover)

I had to buy this book for a class for my EE degree- I must say as much as I hate probability and the like, this book was one of the best on the subject that I've ever come across. It really feels as though this is a 'friendly' book, just like it says in its title. I didn't give it a full five stars, because I think it should include a few more worked out examples per section. Nevertheless, it still has a fair number of worked examples and also quizes which are solved at the end of the book. All and all, I really enjoyed the book and consequently the course.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A supportive reader, January 12, 2005

By 

Horsefly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Probability and Stochastic Processes: A Friendly Introduction for Electrical and Computer Engineers (Hardcover)

Let me begin by saying this book is written at a level for senior level B.S. and first year M.S. engineering (not math) students. It is the best book I've seen for introducing probability, random variables and related concepts to this student demographic (particularly to Elec. Eng. or Comp. Eng majors). It has all the introductory concepts and lays out the foundation for later subject matter in a seemless, easy to read and friendly manner. To qualify this statement, let me say that I had taken a similar engineering-related probability course in school a few years back that covered most of the same topics found in the Yates and Goodman book. I was confused about several issues even after I completed the course. It wasn't until I found this text and began reading it that all the questions and doubts I'd had went away. This text doesn't cover more advanced probability related concepts like entropy, mutual information and a host of others. What it does do is clearly provide you with the foundation in probability so that you can later read other more "involved" books like Stark and Woods or Papoulis and Pillai without the agony.