Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I don't agree with your first point. Determinism has nothing to do with using random numbers to solve a mathematical problem approximately. In Monte Carlo integration you just sample values in a domain, and then add up the sampled values of the function being integrated.

However, I agree with your last point: you need computers to do integrals this way. Before computers, sampling methods were indeed used (eg gaussian quadrature), but the sample points were chosen very carefully to reduce their number, and reduce the work of human "computers".



Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: