#variates

In number sequence generation for a series of monte-carlo simulations, this is a technique that helps reduce the variance between generated simulations. This allows you to reduce (approximately halve) the number of sample paths before you converge to a solution, and also increases the accuracy.

For every sample path obtained, you also obtain its antithetic path; e.g. if your sample path is { 0.1, -0.8, 0.3, 0.4, -0.1 } then you would also use { -0.1, 0.8, -0.3, -0.4, 0.1 }.

In summary, from http://www.csie.ntu.edu.tw/~lyuu/finance1/2008/20080430.pdf:

* For each simulated sample path X, a second one is obtained by reusing the random numbers on which the first path is based.

* This yields a second sample path Y .

* Two estimates are then obtained: One based on X and the other on Y .

* If N independent sample paths are generated, the antithetic variates estimator averages over 2N estimates.

In practice they're a waste of time; as other, less computationally-demanding techniques such as low discrepancy numbers have this symmetry built-in.

Also, it is not always useful, for instance if you are drawing numbers for a symmetric payoff (i.e. a straddle option).

I dared to deviate from the version of myself who was distant, timid and almost always tongue-tied, and...

                        It was a good time. Then some people started tearing up. The mood shifted, a good kind of shift. I never thought I'd be such a crybaby during the tribute. I've always been aware of my sentimental side but it's news to me that my tear glands can no longer hold up as much as they used to. I guess I never really expected that Variants, especially the seniors, would mean so much as I had this mindset before that I might only stay acquaintance to the people I know in Stat. Geez, I was such a loner (emphasis on was)! But UPV made me feel so welcome, so appreciated.

                           S-Fest. Even to me, the ambiguity of that "S" is still a case that is yet to be solved. What's certain is that I'd never made it through the application process without you. Never in the entirety of my existence have I imagined that I could put up to a Lady Gaga outfit but I did. Things like taking a sip from a bathroom faucet on my own accord and mimicking Kim Chiu on her TV commercial were never meant to be part of my bucket list but just within a day, I got them both done. Oh the fun I had during that time. Out of my comfort zone indeed. So way out, I must say. But everything is much more than worth it.

INTE. It's the breeding ground for the nicest hybrids of "bitches". Although I think we're on a brink of extinction, ang babait nung mga bata e (at ang tatalino haha). But then, the greatest creation of this committee was not one of the exhibits but the bonds formed between the members. It's a committee, a family, that remains even beyond graduation.

                          SEC. Joining this committee, all I wanted were the photo and video editing tasks but here is where it occurred to me that writing is actually fun once in a while. I probably should update this blog more often.

                           "Super" seniors. We just tend to lose it whenever we're together to the extent where we could seemingly stand any kind of "public humiliation" that we consciously bring upon ourselves. We always make fun of each other (or more often than not, other people) and we find humor in almost everything. While others are busy "acting their age", we talk about cartoons and anime from way back grade school years; we sing along to the oldest of songs which probably date back to our parents' (and maybe our grandparents') childhood years; and we play games like "Dr. Kwak-kwak" (how do you even spell that anyway?) and "pass the message" that kids today probably never even heard of. It is as if every bit of seriousness has left your every flesh but when a situation calls for concern and sincerity, you all know how to deliver. I'll always be grateful that I'm a part of this circle. Cheers for the coolest nerds!

                   I was practically invisible but upon joining UPV, I became a "bitch", a "boss", and a "kamahalan" (wait, that just sounded like a mean girl. Oh no...). Ironically though, I think I'll miss these labels. Perhaps the time 3:15:15PM will serve as a silent alarm that from time to time will find a way of ringing inside my head… head, head, head. And that song, well, as it's worth three years of dance steps, it'll be "louder" than any LSS that I'll get.

Okay, ang arte ko.