21 May 2013, 6:00pm
Is 42 the answer?, Dr John Crocker
Joint IMA/WORDS, regional OR Society event
Abstract
Mathematical models are frequently used to predict the future, often with the primary intention of changing or managing that future. In a good many cases they do so with a reasonable level of accuracy and success but there has been an alarming number of instances recently where one suspects the validity of the assumptions being made. People are extremely good at noticing coincidences – how many of you have noticed a remarkable increase in the number of cars of the same type/colour as your new one. Few of us would use this observation as an argument to say that sales of said car had suddenly escalated, but are we in danger of doing something similar with the way we handle “big data” etc?
John has spent his working life developing simulation and optimization models, working for the British Steel Corporation, Rolls Royce and as an operational research consultant. An active member of the OR Society, John is currently the editor of Inside OR (OR Society monthly newsletter).
Venue: Room 2Q49, Q block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol
No charge is made to attend meetings and non-members are welcome.
