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Unit 7: Randomization Basics

This unit covers

  • probability theory recap
  • models of computation with randomization
  • Las Vegas and Monte Carlo algorithms

Material

  • slides
  • lecture notes

  • Video 7-1 (2025-06-10): Randomization motivation

  • Video 7-2 (2025-06-10): Randomized selection by rank (deterministic adversary lower bound, Floyd-Rivest algorithm)

  • Video 7-3 (2025-06-11): Probability theory recap

  • Video 7-4 (2025-06-11): Probabilistic Turing machines

  • Video 7-5 (2025-06-17): Las Vegas and Monte Carlo algorithms

  • Video 7-6 (2025-06-17): Contrenration Bounds: Markov, Chebyshev, Chernoff

  • Video 7-7 (2025-06-18): Concentration Bounds in Action

Further reading and sources

Many examples are taken from Advanced Algorithms, following the module in Kaiserslautern initially developed by Markus Nebel.

The exposition on probability theory and probabilistic Turing machines is my own, based on various sources.


Unit 6  ⋅  Syllabus  ⋅  Unit 8