Organizing a semester at SLMath (part 1)
Remco van der Hofstad is the lead organizer of the Probability and Statistics of Discrete Structures program at the Simons-Laufer Mathematical Science Institute (SLMath), Spring 2025. This blog is part 1 in a trilogy of blogs. Yes, it’s happening! We have arrived at SLMath! How did we get here in the first place? We started […]
Modelling 5G Networks
Being connected to the internet is second nature to us. But what happens if the network that connects us breaks down? To prevent such a catastrophe, we need to understand how the network behaves. Find out how we can model and simulate a 5G network!
Gut flow: key to studying the microbiome
The gut microbiome works hard to keep you healthy. To understand it, we need to know how nutrients travel through the gut. This is where gut flow enters the story. How can we simulate gut flow with mathematics?
Can mathematics help you cook just enough?
Leftovers are usually no issue. But what if you’re cooking for hundreds of people? Using
mathematics, specifically the Central Limit Theorem, we try to cook just the right amount.
Maximising efficiency is risky business (Part 3) - A view on interdisciplinary research
In the first article of this series I described how logistic chains work. In the second article, we went one step further and dived in the mathematics. In this third part I discuss some personal experiences and ideas regarding interdisciplinary research.
Maximising efficiency is risky business (Part 2) - The mathematics behind logistics chains
We can use mathematics and more specifically networks to study logistics chains. In the first article we described how logistic chains work. In this second part, we go one step further and dive in the mathematics.
Maximising efficiency is risky business (Part 1) - Logistics chains and cascading small delays
Think of a local car dealer selling cars in your region. To make sure new cars are delivered on time a whole mechanism involving various people, factories, and transport companies, must operate in coordination. This is a highly complex process where mathematics plays an important role.
Mr. Monopoly and Mr. Markov play a game
Now it’s time to tackle Monopoly! Using tools from probability theory, we can get some insights into the best properties to buy in Monopoly.