4 ms·

I like to see good math topics, but I really can't stand when the example problems are either totally fanciful or totally abstract. I'm too stupid for that. Giv

I like to see good math topics, but I really can't stand when the example problems are either totally fanciful or totally abstract. I'm too stupid for that. Give me an example of a practical problem in business, finance, engineering, social science, etc. that I can solve with this tool. Does the "dance party" problem have an analogue in real-world allocation and planning problems? Does a gambler gambling an infinite number of times have practical applications in finance? Etc.

Swizec 4y ago
> Does a gambler gambling an infinite number of times have practical applications in finance? If you’re running a sovereign investment fund (or Softbank?), that’s a lot like gambling with an infinite runway. Hopefully you’re using part of that infinite runway to hire people with actual chops in probability and don’t need this article.
- chinaman425 4y ago
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cjohnson318 4y ago
I agree, I kept looking for an example of solving the problem that the post opened with: "how much longer until XYZ happens". Maybe I missed it?
- jrumbut 4y ago
  I was expecting survival analysis to show up at some point. Perhaps it did, at some point I started to skim.
  - nerdponx 4y ago
    TIL that martingales are used in survival analysis! https://arxiv.org/abs/1003.0188 https://arxiv.org/abs/1003.0188 No, it was not in the article that I saw either.
scaredginger 4y ago
From a pure mathematics standpoint, why should a mathematical concept need a practical application to justify its existence? 'I have never done anything "useful". No discovery of mine has made, or is likely to make, directly or indirectly, for good or ill, the least difference to the amenity of the world.' - G. H. Hardy It's worth noting however, that much of Hardy's work has been applied since his death, and even before it (to my understanding).
- KyeRussell 4y ago
  Talk about a hammer looking for a nail! Nobody said anything t about justifying a concept’s existence. The comment is quite clear.
  - scaredginger 4y ago
    Yes, you were complaining that mathematicians weren't providing you with practical examples. I explained why that complaint is stupid. Does that clear it up for you?

Swizec 4y ago

> Does a gambler gambling an infinite number of times have practical applications in finance? If you’re running a sovereign investment fund (or Softbank?), that’s a lot like gambling with an infinite runway. Hopefully you’re using part of that infinite runway to hire people with actual chops in probability and don’t need this article.

chinaman425 4y ago
[dead]

cjohnson318 4y ago

I agree, I kept looking for an example of solving the problem that the post opened with: "how much longer until XYZ happens". Maybe I missed it?

jrumbut 4y ago
I was expecting survival analysis to show up at some point. Perhaps it did, at some point I started to skim.
- nerdponx 4y ago
  TIL that martingales are used in survival analysis! https://arxiv.org/abs/1003.0188 https://arxiv.org/abs/1003.0188 No, it was not in the article that I saw either.

scaredginger 4y ago

From a pure mathematics standpoint, why should a mathematical concept need a practical application to justify its existence? 'I have never done anything "useful". No discovery of mine has made, or is likely to make, directly or indirectly, for good or ill, the least difference to the amenity of the world.' - G. H. Hardy It's worth noting however, that much of Hardy's work has been applied since his death, and even before it (to my understanding).

KyeRussell 4y ago
Talk about a hammer looking for a nail! Nobody said anything t about justifying a concept’s existence. The comment is quite clear.
- scaredginger 4y ago
  Yes, you were complaining that mathematicians weren't providing you with practical examples. I explained why that complaint is stupid. Does that clear it up for you?