Coupling of Markov Chains
- đ¤ Speaker: Lucas Sonnabend, Churchill College
- đ Date & Time: Wednesday 19 November 2014, 19:40 - 20:30
- đ Venue: Wolfson Hall, Churchill College
Abstract
We can model random processes such as shuffling cards using Markov chains. For a certain class of them we can find a stationary distribution to which the process will converge.
I will explain how coupling of Markov Chains is used to estimate the time needed to get close to this stationary distribution. For example, how often do you have to shuffle a deck of cards until you are fairly sure that they are distributed uniformly?
In terms of applications, I will describe a polynomial time probabilistic algorithm for graph colouring, and I will explain a magic trick!
Series This talk is part of the Churchill CompSci Talks series.
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Wednesday 19 November 2014, 19:40-20:30