A statistical look at the world.
Can Machine Learning Predict the Champions League Winner?
Every year, football fans around the world passionately debate which club will win the UEFA Champions League. Experts argue over tactics, fans praise their favourite players, and bookmakers adjust the odds after every match. But what if we could go beyond opinion and use data to make predictions? That’s exactly what machine learning tries to do.
Study Harder or Smarter?
Every student has faced the dilemma: do I pull an all-nighter before an exam and reread the lecture slides for the third time? Or do I make sure to get a good night’s sleep? What is more important? Does more study time lead to higher results? Or does the way I study matter more? Let us explore whether the key to academic success is studying harder or smarter.
What can lipstick sales tell us
There are multiple ways to predict an upcoming economic downturn. J.P. Morgan for example has made a model with that combines the yield curve, Private sector debt service, economic momentum, profits and financial markets. These are also common predictors to forecast an economic recession . However, there are also unconventional indexes that can potentially predict an economic downturn. One of these indexes is the lipstick index.
Pirates’ Treasure Problem
Today is your lucky day! You are the captain of a 10-member pirate ship, and together with the rest of your crew, you have found treasure: 100 indivisible gold coins! Now, the question arises as to how the treasure should be divided. Though it might be tempting as the captain to keep all the gold for yourself, there is a very strict pirate code. You must propose the first division, and every crew member gets to vote on your proposal. If your proposed division receives at least half of the votes, it is accepted. However, if your proposal is not accepted, you must, unfortunately, walk the plank. The second-highest-ranking pirate is then allowed to make a proposal under the same conditions, and so on. So, what is it that you propose in order to avoid the plank?
The Collatz Conjecture: Simple to State, Impossible to Solve
This article is on a math problem that sounds like a riddle your younger sibling could understand. But then, after hours (or decades) of trying, thinking, and computational simulations, you are still far away from a solution. Below you will find all about the Collatz conjecture.
Neha - Trainee De Nederlandsche Bank
Neha heeft de master Econometrics and Operations Research aan de Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam gevolgd. In september 2024 is ze gestart als trainee bij De Nederlandsche Bank. In dit artikel vertelt ze meer over haar werk en het DNB traineeship.
An axiomatic way to life
Circa 300 before Christ the mathematician Euclid created the 13-book series The Elements. The most influential textbook of all time. Shaping logic as the way we know it today. Making use of definitions, common notions and axioms, which are unproven statements generally accepted to be true. Creating a framework which can be used to prove its propositions. This axiomatic approach has been extremely influential and can now be found in any field relying on logic. In this article I want to reflect on the influence of The Elements and talk about the axiomatic approach to reason that it formally introduced to the world.
Are You the Only You in an Infinite Universe?
Imagine walking down the street, thinking that no one else in the universe is exactly like you. Your experiences, your thoughts, and even your random quirks make you feel special. But what if, somewhere out there, another version of you exists—living an identical life, making the same choices, and even reading this very article right now? While this may sound like science fiction, if the universe is truly infinite, then probability suggests it could be reality. And not just once, but an infinite number of times.
The Zipper Merge: Why Merging Late is the Smartest Move
Traffic jams are a daily frustration for millions of drivers worldwide. One of the most misunderstood aspects of traffic flow is how to merge efficiently when two lanes come to one. While most drivers believe merging early is the polite and responsible choice, mathematics and traffic engineers prove otherwise. The zipper merge, where drivers use both lanes fully and merge at the last possible moment, is actually the best method for reducing traffic jams and maintaining traffic flow.
Chess and Mathematics: The Knight's Tour Problem
Chess and mathematics share deep connections, particularly in logic, strategy, and problem-solving. Many chess players have studied mathematical problems arising from the game. One famous example is the Knight’s Tour Problem—a pathfinding puzzle that dates back to 840 AD.