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"Who is Monte Carlo?" Monte Carlo is for Europe what Las Vegas is for the US. The first name that comes to mind when you think gambling.

Monte Carlo method is repeated random sampling to obtain numerical results.

Monte Carlo algorithms are heuristic algorithms that solve problems with random process that can give wrong answers.

Las Vegas algorithms are algorithms that solve problems with randomness but get always correct result or knows that it failed. Runtime is finite.

Atlantic City algorithm is a probabilistic polynomial time algorithm that gives correct answer > 50% of the time (or 75% of the time by some definition).



I laughed out loud when he said this. I take for granted how much gambling knowledge I have (especially since I generally think gambling is stupid), but I thought everyone knew about Monte Carlo.

I'm going to have to look up Las Vegas algorithms though, this is the first I've heard of them. Course, it's been a while since I've broadly looked at the current state of probabilistic algorithms. Makes me think it might be time to step back and look at some more general theory, especially since some recent DSP work led me to look into particle filters in an attempt to estimate a pair of rotating phasors.


Another way to put this is:

Monte Carlo Algorithm: Always fast, probably correct.

Las Vegas Algorithm: Probably fast, always correct.

Atlantic City Algorithm: Probably fast, probably correct.


Is Monte Carlo (I need to look up where that actually is) as gaudy (I might have said trashy) as the Las Vegas strip?


No. Monte Carlo is located in Monaco. It's very classy place.

It's the type of place where James Bond likes to play in the movies and books.


No, it's a good bit more upmarket. Monaco is known as a tax haven for the wealthy, and the casino has a dress code.


Well, his question was "Who is Monte Carlo?", a witty reference to the fact that Monte Carlo is named after a real prince [0].

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_III,_Prince_of_Monaco




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