An unbiased random walker moves on the integers

PHYSICS · Subjective · Fermi University Physics · Mathematical Methods for Physics · Probability, statistics and stochastic methods · Probability, statistics and stochastic methods

Error, Chance and the Machine, Ch Random walks and Markov chains

Problem

An unbiased random walker moves on the integers 0,1,…,140,1,\dots,14, stepping left or right with probability 12\tfrac12 each, and stops on reaching either wall (site 0 or site 14). It starts at site 5. Find the mean number of steps to absorption.

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