In the mathematical universe, the term “optimal” refers to making the best of what we have. Alessio Figalli, a renowned mathematician at ETH Zurich, focuses on this idea through the lens of optimal transport. This deals with the most efficient way of connecting starting points with endpoints, which can apply to everything from the movement of clouds to the routing of chatbots.
Figalli, who clinched the prestigious Fields Medal in 2018, appreciates math that directly relates to real-life issues. He values its everlasting truths, claiming, “If you prove a theorem, you prove it. There’s no ambiguity; it’s either true or false.” His enthusiasm for mathematics also reflects on its foundational history, which began nearly 250 years ago with Gaspard Monge, who aimed to optimize resource transportation during the Napoleonic Era.
In 1975, Leonid Kantorovich updated this idea, winning a Nobel prize for his work on maximizing resource distribution, exemplified through a problem involving bakeries and coffee shops ensuring everyone's croissants were delivered efficiently. This collective optimization influences a vast network of interactions, making it a challenging yet compelling domain to study.
Join us on a journey through the captivating realm of optimal transport and its implications in both mathematical theory and practical application!
Figalli, who clinched the prestigious Fields Medal in 2018, appreciates math that directly relates to real-life issues. He values its everlasting truths, claiming, “If you prove a theorem, you prove it. There’s no ambiguity; it’s either true or false.” His enthusiasm for mathematics also reflects on its foundational history, which began nearly 250 years ago with Gaspard Monge, who aimed to optimize resource transportation during the Napoleonic Era.
In 1975, Leonid Kantorovich updated this idea, winning a Nobel prize for his work on maximizing resource distribution, exemplified through a problem involving bakeries and coffee shops ensuring everyone's croissants were delivered efficiently. This collective optimization influences a vast network of interactions, making it a challenging yet compelling domain to study.
Join us on a journey through the captivating realm of optimal transport and its implications in both mathematical theory and practical application!
