The algorithm relies on the Kac-Ward formalism, a mathematical method that allows exact computation of partition functions for planar spin glass systems in polynomial time, making it possible to ...

Determining the least expensive path for a new subway line underneath a metropolis like New York City is a colossal planning challenge—involving thousands of potential routes through hundreds of city ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. If you’ve been making the same commute for a long time, you’ve probably settled on what seems like the best route. But “best” is a ...