Probability Bracket Notation: Multivariable Systems and Static Bayesian Networks

Abstract

We extend Probability Bracket Notation (PBN), inspired by the Dirac notation in quantum mechanics, to multivariable probability systems and static Bayesian networks (BNs). By defining probability distributions and conditional expectations in a unified, basis-independent algebraic form, PBN provides a systematic way to represent and manipulate dependencies among random variables. Using the well-known Student BN as an illustrative probabilistic graphical model, we demonstrate prediction, bottom-up and top-down inference, and expectation calculations within the PBN framework. We show that, for a large N-node binary BN, after a one-time preprocessing, inference along a d-separable chain with k intermediate nodes requires O(k2^k) operations, compared to O(N2^N) for direct computation from the full joint distribution. We further extend PBN to networks with continuous variables, including linear Gaussian models, and introduce a hybrid Healthcare BN that combines discrete and continuous variables. In this model, discrete-display nodes serve as proxies for continuous parents, enabling user-specific predictions. Overall, PBN provides an operator-based framework that unifies representation and computation, with potential applications in education, data analytics, and machine learning.