The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications

Scottish Branch

“GoogleMaths”

by

Dr. Phil Knight, University of Strathclyde

on

Wednesday 24^th October 2007

in

Lecture theatre F29, Napier University, Merchiston Campus, Colinton Road, Edinburgh

6.30pm with tea, coffee from 6.00pm

Abstract:

Search engines have developed rapidly since the WWW emerged. This is testament not only to the increased power of computers, but also to the work of a large number of mathematicians who have shaped the path of the evolution of search engines.

After a brief history of search engines we look at what makes Google and its competitors so successful. In particular we look at how they find relevant information and how this is then sorted.

The talk will concentrate on link analysis, which draws on several areas of mathematics : graph theory, probability, matrix algebra and numerical analysis. Examples will be given to show how successfully the mathematics can work, and to speculate on how mathematicians can contribute further.

Non IMA members are welcome.