# Operations Research: Using Math to Make the World Work Better

Shen-Ning Tung
Department of Mathematics, National Tsing Hua University

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## What is Operations Research?
* **The Science of Better Decisions:** Applies math to solve real-world problems and make optimal decisions.
* **Impactful:** Used in nearly every industry to...
* Improve efficiency
* Reduce costs
* Enhance quality
* Manage risk
* ... and much more!


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## OR is Everywhere!
* **Question:** Have you ever wondered how...
* Airlines schedule thousands of flights?
* Companies like Amazon deliver packages so quickly?
* Hospitals manage resources during emergencies?
* **Answer:** It's all thanks to Operations Research!

[Optimal Dynamics - Making Tomorrow's Decisions Today](https://youtu.be/XHM6ffWOR5I?si=ElcY-JWBoAn3IY1n)

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## How OR Works
1. **Understand the Problem:** What are we trying to achieve?
2. **Gather Data:** What information is available?
3. **Build a Model:** Create a mathematical representation.
4. **Solve:** Use algorithms and tools to find the best solution.
5. **Implement and Evaluate:** Put the solution into practice and see how it works.


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## Tools of the Trade: Key OR Techniques
* **Optimization:** Finding the best solution from many possibilities.
* **Simulation:** Testing scenarios in a virtual environment.
* **Forecasting:** Predicting future trends and outcomes.
* **Decision Analysis:** Evaluating options under uncertainty.

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## OR in the Real World: The Pizza Delivery Challenge
* **Challenge:** Get pizzas to hungry customers as quickly as possible.
* **OR Solution:**
* Model the city as a network.
* Use algorithms to find the shortest routes.
* Assign drivers to routes efficiently.
* **Result:** Faster deliveries, happier customers, and lower costs for the business!


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## The Future of OR: Where Math Meets Tomorrow's Challenges
* **Smart Cities:** Using OR to optimize traffic flow, energy usage, and emergency response for a more livable future.
* **Personalized Medicine:** Tailoring treatment plans based on individual patient data, leading to better outcomes and lower costs.
* **Resilient Supply Chains:** Building systems that can adapt to disruptions, ensuring that goods and services reach people when they need them most.
* **And Beyond:** OR is poised to play a key role in solving global issues like climate change, poverty, and healthcare access.


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## Your Future in Operations Research: Unlimited Possibilities
* **Operations Research Analyst:** Solve complex problems and optimize business processes.
* **Data Scientist:** Uncover patterns in data to drive decision-making.
* **Consultant:** Help organizations improve efficiency and performance.
* **Entrepreneur:** Create innovative solutions using OR skills.
* **Researcher:** Push the boundaries of what OR can achieve.
* **The Choice is Yours:** With OR, you can tailor your career path to your interests and passions.


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## Why Operations Research Matters
* **Solve complex problems:** OR provides the tools to tackle challenges that seem overwhelming.
* **Make a real impact:** Improve systems, save resources, and make better decisions that affect people's lives.
* **Exciting careers:** OR is in high demand across industries.

Thank you! Questions?

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## References
- Beauzamy, Bernard. (2002). Real Life Mathematics. [link](https://www.maths.tcd.ie/pub/ims/bull48/M4801.pdf)
- CASTLE-- Computational Stochastic Optimization and Learning [link](https://castle.princeton.edu/)
- Operations Research in Google Research [link](https://research.google/teams/operations-research/)