UBC Mathematics Colloquium
Problems for the clairvoyant demon
Fri., Nov. 27, 2009, 3:00pm, MATX 1100
Abstract:
Coin tosses are the very essence of probability theory. Yet, there are
a number of simply stated problems that have resisted solution. These
may involve Peter Winkler's clairvoyant demon, and they may sometimes
be cast in the language of so-called dependent percolation. Three such
problems and their extensions are discussed in this talk, together with
some recent progress in collaboration with Ander Holroyd. The only
prerequisite for the audience is an affinity for tossing a coin.