Title
The Ergodic Theory Carnival
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2010
Department
Mathematics
Language
English
Publication Title
Mathematics Magazine
Abstract
The Birkhoff ergodic theorem, proved by George David Birkhoff in 1931, allows us to investigate the long-term behavior of certain dynamical systems. In this article, we explain what it means for a function to be ergodic, and we present Birkhoff's theorem. We construct models of activities typically found at carnivals and compare and contrast them by analyzing their ergodic theory properties. We use these carnival models to show how Birkhoff's ergodic theorem can be used to help a photographer set up her equipment to take pictures of all children on a carousel and to aid a magician in finding a lost jewel in a sticky mess of taffy.
DOI
10.4169/002557010x494823
Recommended Citation
Comments
Published as:
Barnes, Julia and Lorelei Koss. "The Ergodic Theory Carnival." Mathematics Magazine, 83, no. 3 (2010): 180-90.
For more information on the published version, visit Mathematical Association of America's Website.
NOTE: The Chinese translation of this article can be found in Mathematical Advance in Translation 30, no. 1 (2011) 18-27.