How do airlines schedule flights, logistics companies route deliveries, and supermarkets manage stock?

Many of these challenges are examples of linear programming problems – and one algorithm has dominated their solution for decades: the Simplex Method.

Widely regarded as one of the most important algorithms ever developed, the Simplex Method has helped organisations save vast amounts of time, money and resources.

But despite its remarkable success, one question has puzzled mathematicians for decades: why does it work so well in practice?

In this episode, Dr Sophie Huiberts from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) explores one of optimisation’s biggest open questions: why is the Simplex Method so much faster than theory often predicts?

We also discuss Sophie’s research journey and how she brings her values and social awareness into her work as a mathematician.

Our host is Professor Kate Smith-Miles – Director of the OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, and a Professor of Applied Mathematics at The University of Melbourne.

Episode webpage:  https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/simplex-method/

How do airlines schedule flights, logistics companies route deliveries, and supermarkets manage stock?
Many of these challenges are examples of&nbsp;linear programming&nbsp;problems &ndash; and one algorithm has dominated their solution for decades: the&nbsp;Simplex Method.
Widely regarded as one of the most important algorithms ever developed, the Simplex Method has helped organisations save vast amounts of time, money and resources.
But despite its remarkable success, one question has puzzled mathematicians for decades: why does it work so well in practice?
In this episode,&nbsp;Dr Sophie Huiberts&nbsp;from the&nbsp;French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)&nbsp;explores one of optimisation&rsquo;s biggest open questions: why is the Simplex Method so much faster than theory often predicts?
We also discuss Sophie&rsquo;s research journey and how she brings her values and social awareness into her work as a mathematician.
Our host is Professor Kate Smith-Miles &ndash; Director of the OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, and a Professor of Applied Mathematics at The University of Melbourne.
Episode webpage: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.therandomsample.com.au/?post_type=podcast&amp;p=2190&amp;preview=true">https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/simplex-method/</a>

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS).  In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners: the Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), the OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, the MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit therandomsample.com.au

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS).&nbsp; In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners: the Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), the OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, the MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit <a href="https://www.therandomsample.com.au/">therandomsample.com.au</a>

Stories about mathematics, statistics and the people involved

The Random Sample

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS). In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners:  Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit therandomsample.com.au

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS). In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners:&nbsp; Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit <a href="https://www.therandomsample.com.au/">therandomsample.com.au</a>