The logistic map is the most basic recurrence formula exhibiting various levels of chaos depending on its parameter. It has been used in population demographics to model chaotic behavior. Here we explore this model in the context of randomness simulation, and revisit a bizarre non-periodic random number generator discovered 70 years ago, based on the logistic map equation. We then discuss flaws and strengths in widely used random number generators, as well as how to reverse-engineer…

This famous statement -- the six degrees of separation -- claims that there is at most 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else on Earth. Here we feature a simple algorithm that simulates how we are connected, and indeed confirms the claim. We also explain how it applies to web crawlers: Any web page is connected to any other web page by a path of 6 links at most.

The algorithm below is rudimentary and can be used for simulation purposes by any programmer: It does not even…

Here is our selection of featured articles and resources posted recently:

• Free book on Computer Programming 
• I built a Chatbot in 2 hours and this is what I learned …

Non-traditional strategies for mid-career switch to Data Science and AI 

In this post, I explore strategies to switch to Data Science mid-career. This switch is not easy, but based on the experience of many who I have taught/mentored/recruited – it is possible. Most people consider PhD/MooC etc for switching their career to Data Science. But here, I will explore some non-traditional/unorthodox ways of switching to Data Science. …

Data scientists use a range of tools in their work and some of these eventually require programming. This book, titled The Art and Craft of Computer Programming, is a guide to computer programming. It does not focus on a specific programming language, but instead contains the essential material from a first year Computer Science course. The book is available from Amazon.com.…

Here is a new set of easy questions recently published, covering

• Statistics
• Programming (General, Big Data, Python, R, SQL)
• Modeling
• Behavioral
• Culture Fit
• Problem-Solving

Click here to read these questions (some found on Quora), and some answers.

Many list of questions have been…

Summary:  Over the last eight years predictive analytics has become a fully mature technology with wide adoption among the largest and most successful companies.  The Advanced Analytic Platforms we have to make our work more effective and efficient also show substantial improvement.

Predictive analytics combines the core disciplines of data science to do the everyday heavy lifting of predicting consumer behavior and forecasting future values, plus a lot of other…

Summary:  Over the last eight years predictive analytics has become a fully mature technology with wide adoption among the largest and most successful companies.  The Advanced Analytic Platforms we have to make our work more effective and efficient also show substantial improvement.

Predictive analytics combines the core disciplines of data science to do the everyday heavy lifting of predicting consumer behavior and forecasting future values, plus a lot of other…

Summary:  If you are mid-career and thinking about switching into data science here are some things to think about in planning your journey.

We get lots of inquiries from readers asking for career advice and many of these identify as mid-career looking to switch into data science.  If you’re in this group you face some of the same challenges beginners do but also some that are unique to your circumstance.  Here are some thoughts and observations that may be…

Section 3 was added on October 11. Section 4 was added on October 19.  A $2,000 award is offered to solve any of the open questions, click here for details. 

This is another off-the-beaten-path problem, one that you won't find in textbooks. You can solve it using data science methods (my approach) but the…

The format is very similar to a BIG cheat sheet. This cookbook integrates a variety of topics in probability theory and statistics. It is based on literature and in-class material from courses of the statistics department at the University of California in Berkeley but also influenced by other sources . …

You will find here nine interesting topics that you won't learn in college classes. Most have interesting applications in business and elsewhere. They are not especially difficult, and I explain them in simple English. Yet they are not part of the traditional statistical curriculum, and even many data scientists with a PhD degree have not heard about some of these concepts.…