Part 1/16:
The Surprising Power of Markov Chains: From Russian Feuds to Search Engines and Beyond
Introduction: A Chain of Discoveries Rooted in Political Conflict
Have you ever wondered how scientists and mathematicians unravel complex questions like how many times you must shuffle a deck of cards for it to be truly random, or how the enormous power of nuclear bombs is predicted and controlled? The answer lies in a fascinating piece of mathematical history rooted in a political feud in early 20th-century Russia. This story reveals how a seemingly obscure debate about probability theory unlocked tools that would shape the modern world, from internet search engines to climate modeling.