Mathematical complexity of decisions and multi-scale analysis

Abstract: Group decisions are being constantly made; e.g., the US is in the midst of still another election season. Both the US and Canada rely on the plurality vote; can this decision approach mean that the outcome need not reflect the views of the voters? Viewing this problem more generally, I will describe the mathematical complexity of finding decision rules that do reflect the views of the voters; the analysis involves notions ranging from chaotic behavior to algebraic orbits. Surprisingly, many of the same notions and complexities extend to raise serious concerns about multi-scale analysis, which is a topic of great interest in the physical sciences and engineering.

Refreshments will be served at 2:45 p.m. (Math Lounge, MATX 1115).