Name: The mathematics of solitaire
Start: 2024-12-10T18:00:00+13:00
End: 2024-12-10T19:00:00+13:00
Location: Sir Owen G Glenn Building

This public lecture is presented by Persi Diaconis who is not only a mathematician and statistician but a professional magician
About this Event

People play 'ordinary solitaire' (Klondike) millions of times a day. Yet, we mathematicians can't figure out 'what is the chance of winning?' or 'how can I play well?' Indeed, even the chess and go playing programs 'Alpha zero' can't solve these problems (thank goodness that there are some things the computer can't do). I'll introduce an easier solitaire where we can figure things out. The math involved is some of the deepest of the past 50 years. It has applications to the way fire burns and the rings left by coffee cups. AND of course, it's beautiful in its own right. I'll try to explain all to a general audience 'in English'.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, 10th December 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Fisher Paykel Auditorium 260-115, Sir Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road Auckland 1010