2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/151896We consider the problem of state selection for a stochastic system, initially in an unstable stationary state, when multiple metastable states compete for occupation. Using path-integral techniques we derive remarkably simple and accurate formulas for state-selection probabilities. The method is sufficiently general that it is applicable to a wide variety of problems.4 pages, 2 figuresStatistical Mechanicstext