Computation of extinction probabilities for the Bellman-Harris branching process (Q1063952)

Outlined in the beginning of this paper is the Bellman-Harris age- dependent branching process. Recursive equations to compute the probability of extinction at a given epoch are then developed. Using these equations, computer runs were made for two reproduction rules, binary and Poisson, and three reproduction means, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5. The results of these runs are then presented, with emphasis on their rate of convergence to the probability of eventual extinction.