Generating Functions of Waiting Times and Numbers of Visits for Random Walks on Graphs

Abstract

In this paper, we consider some cover time problems for random walks on graphs in a wide class of waiting time problems. By using generating functions, we present a unified approach for the study of distributions associated with waiting times. In addition, the distributions of the numbers of visits for the random walks on the graphs are also studied. We present the relationship between the distributions of the waiting times and the numbers of visits. We also show that these theoretical results can be easily carried out through some computer algebra systems and present some numerical results for cover times in order to demonstrate the usefulness of the results developed. Finally, the study of cover time problems through generating functions leads to more extensive development.