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A density ratio compares two probability density functions relative to the same underlying measure. More generally it is a Radon-Nikodym derivative when one probability measure has absolute continuity of measures with respect to the other.

For a reversible Markov chain with stationary distribution $\pi$ and $\nu \ll \pi$, detailed balance givesTo prove this, integrate either side against a bounded test function and exchange the two endpoints using detailed balance. If $\pi =h/Z$, the output probability density function is $q_t(x)=h(x){\mathbb{E}}_{B\sim K^t(x,\cdot )}[\nu (B)/h(B)]$. A reverse simulation can therefore estimate this density ratio without evaluating a transition probability density function.