In this theme
Decisions under uncertainty
Mathematical models describe a real-life phenomenon, using mathematical language. The model will not exactly be like the reality, but can be used to learn from and help us make decisions.
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Maximising efficiency is risky business (Part 2) - The mathematics behind logistics chains•••
December 9 2024, by Frank PijpersWe can use mathematics and more specifically networks to study logistics chains. In the first article we described how logistic chains work. In this second part, we go one step further and dive in the mathematics.Read article - Article
Maximising efficiency is risky business (Part 1) - Logistics chains and cascading small delays••
December 2 2024, by Frank PijpersThink of a local car dealer selling cars in your region. To make sure new cars are delivered on time a whole mechanism involving various people, factories, and transport companies, must operate in coordination. This is a highly complex process where mathematics plays an important role.Read article - Article
Picking the best route for order pickers•••
May 27 2024, by Tim EngelsThe routes that pickers in warehouses take are essential to efficiency. But which route is best?Read article - Article
A peek into decision making in service systems•
March 5 2024, by Shreehari Anand BodasOften due to large waiting times customers abandon shops (online or physical), and owners don't realize that they have left. We call this a loss of opportunity. This is an important concept in queueing theory.Read article - Article
From building a family tree to discovering the suspect of a crime•
January 5 2024, by Marre CorverBetween 1973 and 1986 multiple rapes and murders were committed in the state of California. Years later the idea was raised that these crimes might be connected. But traditional DNA analysis from the samples found at the crime scenes, could not identify the culprit.Read article