Unimodality of Probability Measures

Description

The central theme of this monograph is Khinchin-type representation theorems. An abstract framework for unimodality, an example of applied functional analysis, is developed for the introduction of different types of unimodality and the study of their behaviour. Also, several useful consequences or ramifications tied to these notions are provided. Being neither an encyclopaedia, nor a historical overview, this book aims to serve as an understanding of the basic features of unimodality. Chapter 1 lays a foundation for the mathematical reasoning in the chapters following. Chapter 2 deals with the concept of Khinchin space, which leads to the introduction of beta-unimodality in Chapter 3. A discussion on several existing multivariate notions of unimodality concludes this chapter. Chapter 4 concerns Khinchin's classical unimodality, and Chapter 5 is devoted to discrete unimodality. Chapters 6 and 7 treat the concept of strong unimodality on R and to Ibragimov-type results characterising the probability measures which preserve unimodality by convolution, and the concept of slantedness, respectively. Most chapters end with comments, referring to historical aspects or supplying complementary information and open questions. A practical bibliography, as well as symbol, name and subject indices ensure efficient use of this volume. Audience: Both researchers and applied mathematicians in the field of unimodality will value this monograph, and it may be used in graduate courses or seminars on this subject too Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Prelude....Pages 1-17 Khinchin structures....Pages 19-54 Concepts of unimodality....Pages 55-110 Khinchin’s classical unimodality....Pages 111-142 Discrete unimodality....Pages 143-182 Strong unimodality....Pages 183-200 Positivity of functional moments....Pages 201-223 Back Matter....Pages 225-255