Monte Carlo method

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. a technique for numerically approximating the solution of a mathematical problem by studying the distribution of some random variable, often generated by a computer.

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Monte Carlo method British  

noun

1. a heuristic mathematical technique for evaluation or estimation of intractable problems by probabilistic simulation and sampling

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Etymology

Origin of Monte Carlo method

First recorded in 1945–50; alluding to the randomness of such a method, as characteristic of the games of chance played at Monte Carlo

Example Sentences

They also used the Monte Carlo method, a mathematical technique, to represent the effects of light circulation within the human skin.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2024

Remember, the Monte Carlo method involves simulating a course of events, and letting it play out over and over again.

From Scientific American • Apr. 21, 2022

In the late 1940s, Klari and Johnny would work on a computer program to execute a mathematical algorithm, and that algorithm would be named for that very gambling hotspot: It’s called the Monte Carlo method.

From Scientific American • Mar. 31, 2022

Today, the Monte Carlo method is used to make sense of huge volumes of data–and do things like predict elections and model the spread of COVID-19 –I knew about Monte Carlo simulations too.

From Scientific American • Mar. 31, 2022

There’s tons of online versions of the experiment, employing the Monte Carlo method, wherein the user can repeat the “toss” as many times as s/he wishes: 500, 1000, even 100,000 times.

From Scientific American • Mar. 14, 2013