Department of Mathematical Sciences
Discrete Math Seminar
Tuesday, September 16th, 2025
4:00PM-4:50PM
Olin Hall 126
Speaker: Jane Coons, WPI
Title: Quasi-Independence Models with Rational Maximum Likelihood Estimator
Abstract: Let X and Y be random variables. Quasi-independence models are log-linear models that describe a situation in which some states of X and Y cannot occur together, but X and Y are otherwise independent. We characterize which quasi-independence models have rational maximum likelihood estimator, or MLE, based on combinatorial features of the bipartite graph associated to the model. In this case, we give an explicit formula for the maximum likelihood estimate. We also give a substantial introduction to algebraic statistics, which will be accessible to advanced undergraduate students.