(mathematics, probability theory) A function that maps elements of an index set to elements of a collection of random variables; historically, a collection of random variables indexed by a set of numbers usually regarded as points in time.

(Neologism) The use of mass public communication, usually against a particular individual or group, which incites or inspires acts of terrorism which are statistically probable but happen seemingly at random.

(mathematics) A branch of mathematics that operates on stochastic processes.

plural of stochastic matrix

(mathematics, stochastic processes) A square matrix whose rows consist of nonnegative real numbers, with each row summing to 1. Used to describe the transitions of a Markov chain; its element in the i'th row and j'th column describes the probability of moving from state i to state j in one time step.

plural of stochastic differential equation

(calculus) a type of differential equation in which one or more of the terms is a stochastic process resulting in a solution which is itself a stochastic process

plural of right stochastic matrix

(economics) The proposal that macroeconomic analysis be concerned with the theoretical consequences of optimizing behaviour by rational consumers, firms, and labourers, rather than with observable phenomena such as booms or slumps.