Tonight’s talk will be given by Dr Tim Griffin

Talk
Speaker: Dr Tim Griffin
Title: Adventures in Algebraic Path Problems
The classic problem of finding shortest paths in a directed graph can be generalised to finding paths taking path weights in a large class of semirings. This approach has been developed over the last fifty years, with many interesting applications. However, if we try to model some existing Internet routing protocols using semirings we see that the distributivity law [a(b +c) = ab + ac] is often violated. Since distributivity is vital in semiring theory, we are forced to explore what, if anything, can be accomplished with such “impoverished” algebraic structures.

The talk will take place at 8:30PM on Monday 19 February in the Winstanley Lecture Theatre. As usual there will be free port and juice served before the talk at 8:15PM. This talk is for members only, but there will be a chance to sign up for TMS life membership for £2.50.