Characterizations of asymptotic distributions of continuous-time Pólya processes

Abstract

We propose an elementary but effective approach to studying a general class of Poissonized tenable and balanced urns on two colors. We characterize the asymptotic behavior of the process via a partial differential equation that governs the process, coupled with the method of moments applied in a bootstrapped manner. We show that the limiting distribution of the process underlying the Bagchi-Pal urn is gamma. We also look into the tenable and balanced processes associated with randomized replacement matrix. Similar results carry over to the process, with minor modifications in the methods of proof, done mutatis mutandis.

Keywords:

• Bootstrapping
• method of moments
• partial differential equation
• poissonization
• pólya urns
• play-the-Winner

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Professor Hosam M. Mahmoud for providing many valuable insights and giving many ingenious suggestions to this manuscript. The authors are also grateful to the anonymous referees for their helpful advice and comments.