Baum, Petrie, Soules and Weiss: likelihood maximization for probabilistic functions of Markov chains

What changed

Established an iterative transformation and inequality for maximizing likelihoods in a broad class of probabilistic functions of Markov chains, forming the core of the Baum–Welch estimation procedure.

Scientific scope

The record is the exact 1970 Annals of Mathematical Statistics paper. Earlier Baum–Petrie hidden-Markov results, later speech-recognition applications, EM generalizations and software implementations remain separate.

Evidence

The linked sources identify this contribution and its scope. WRS has not independently reconstructed the scientific claims. The record is the exact 1970 Annals of Mathematical Statistics paper. Earlier Baum–Petrie hidden-Markov results, later speech-recognition applications, EM generalizations and software implementations remain separate.

Contributors

• Leonard E. Baum · SCIENCE: Named source author of the scoped work; individual effort shares are not measured.
• Ted Petrie · SCIENCE: Named source author of the scoped work; individual effort shares are not measured.
• George Soules · SCIENCE: Named source author of the scoped work; individual effort shares are not measured.
• Norman Weiss · SCIENCE: Named source author of the scoped work; individual effort shares are not measured.

• Baum and colleagues Markov-chain maximization paper
• Crossref record for Baum and colleagues 1970

Provisional WRS assessment, edition 2026-10-16.1. Independent expert calibration is pending. This grade does not certify correctness or assign ownership.

Full scientific record · Browse contribution grades · Request a correction