Fate Might Not Be So Unpredictable After All, According To New Mathematical Theory

The Science Daily article "Fate Might Not Be So Unpredictable After All, According To New Mathematical Theory" reports on a new mathematical theory by which the mean "first passage time" of a randomly-moving object in a non-homogeneous environment can be calculated.

Calculating the mean "first passage time" (FPT) of an object that takes a random walk through a complex environment provides the average arrival time of the object at a specific destination in that environment. This is especially valuable information when either a) there are many objects talking the random walk at the same time, or b) the object will take the random walk many times repeatedly.

This new theory, if it proves to be correct, could be used to predict:

• The time required for molecules to arrive at specific locations within cells;
• Wnen the next major computer virus is most likely to attack a particular computer;
• How long it should take, on average, for one person to encounter another.

Link to Full article

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