Euromaths: Avi Wigderson
Should we allow mathematical proofs to contain errors? We find out from Avi Wigderson in our podcast series covering the European Congress of Mathematics 2024.
Should we allow mathematical proofs to contain errors? We find out from Avi Wigderson in our podcast series covering the European Congress of Mathematics 2024.
Learn about magical mathematical methods for fixing errors on the fly.
There are many errors that can occur when numbers are written, printed or transferred in any manner. Luckily, there are schemes in place to detect, and in some cases even correct, such errors almost immediately. Emily Dixon takes a break and discovers that codes are not just for sleuths.
Space probes, like NASA's recent Pathfinder mission to Mars, have radio transmitters of only a few watts, but have to transmit pictures and scientific data across hundreds of millions of miles without the information being completely swamped by noise. Read about how coding theory helps.