Computing has become essential for the modeling, analysis, and optimization of systems. This book is devoted to algorithms, computational analysis, and decision models. The chapters are organized in two parts: optimization models of decisions and models of pricing and equilibria.

Technological improvements continue to push back the frontier of processor speed in modern computers. Unfortunately, the computational intensity demanded by modern research problems grows even faster. Parallel computing has emerged as the most successful bridge to this computational gap, and many popular solutions have emerged based on its concepts, such as grid computing and massively parallel supercomputers. The Handbook of Parallel Computing and Statistics systematically applies the principles of parallel computing for solving increasingly complex problems in statistics research. This unique reference weaves together the principles and theoretical models of parallel computing with the design, analysis, and application of algorithms for solving statistical problems. After a brief introduction to parallel computing, the book explores the architecture, programming, and computational aspects of parallel processing. Focus then turns to optimization methods followed by statistical applications. These applications include algorithms for predictive modeling, adaptive design, real-time estimation of higher-order moments and cumulants, data mining, econometrics, and Bayesian computation. Expert contributors summarize recent results and explore new directions in these areas. Its intricate combination of theory and practical applications makes the Handbook of Parallel Computing and Statistics an ideal companion for helping solve the abundance of computation-intensive statistical problems arising in a variety of fields.

Computing has become essential for the modeling, analysis, and optimization of systems. This book is devoted to algorithms, computational analysis, and decision models. The chapters are organized in two parts: optimization models of decisions and models of pricing and equilibria.
Optimization is at the core of rational decision making. Even when the decision maker has more than one goal or there is significant uncertainty in the system, optimization provides a rational framework for efficient decisions. The Markowitz mean-variance formulation is a classical example. The first part of the book is on recent developments in optimization decision models for finance and economics. The first four chapters of this part focus directly on multi-stage problems in finance. Chapters 5-8 involve the use of worst-case robust analysis. Chapters 9-11 are devoted to portfolio optimization. The final four chapters are on transportation-inventory with stochastic demand; optimal investment with CRRA utility; hedging financial contracts; and, automatic differentiation for computational finance.
The uncertainty associated with prediction and modeling constantly requires the development of improved methods and models. Similarly, as systems strive towards equilibria, the characterization and computation of equilibria assists analysis and prediction. The second part of the book is devoted to recent research in computational tools and models of equilibria, prediction, and pricing. The first three chapters of this part consider hedging issues in finance. Chapters 19-22 consider prediction and modeling methodologies. Chapters 23-26 focus on auctions and equilibria. Volatility models are investigated in chapters 27-28. The final two chapters investigate risk assessment and product pricing.
Audience: Researchers working in computational issues related to economics, finance, and management science.