How Does Random Reset Impact Expected Distance in a Random Walk?

AI Thread Summary
In a random walk scenario, a person at x=0 moves right with a probability of 1/4, left with 1/4, and returns to x=0 with a probability of 1/2 every second. The discussion centers on demonstrating that, within n seconds, the expected maximum distance from the starting point is O(log n). There is a clarification that the original assertion about distance should refer to the expected value rather than the maximum possible distance. The conversation highlights the need for a mathematical approach to show this expected behavior. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of understanding the probabilistic nature of the random walk in this context.
RsMath
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If we have a person who in t=0 (time) is standing on x=0 .
every one second (t=t+1) in without any dependency on previous steps :
he moves to right(x=x+1) in probability = 1/4
and he moves to left (x=x-1) in probability = 1/4 .
and he goes back to x=0 in probability = 1/2 .

show that within n seconds (t) he never be more than O(logn) steps away from x=0 (start point) .

now I know how to solve a similar question : only he moves to right in prob=1/2 and to left in prob=1/2 (with chernoff bound) but the above question I don't know how to start ..

can anyone help me ?
thanks
 
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RsMath said:
show that within n seconds (t) he never be more than O(logn) steps away from x=0 (start point) .

This is clearly not true. He can be as many as n steps away from x = 0, with nonzero probability. Do you mean "on average"?
 
yes , I meant expectation(average)

"show that the expected maximum distance is not greater than O(logn)
 
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