Problems for the clairvoyant demon

Event Detail

Event type: Colloquium
Date/Time: 11/16/2009-16:00   
Location: Kidd 350 (Joint with Statistics)

Speaker info

Speaker: Geoffrey Grimmett, Cambridge University Statistical Laboratory

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 domain of so-called dependent percolation. Three such problems and their extensions are discussed in this talk. The only prerequisite expected of the audience is an affinity for tossing a fair coin.