Moment Maps of Toric Varieties, Linear Precision, and Maximum Likelihood Degree One

Abstract: I will start with moment maps of toric varieties (from symplectic geometry), relate this to strict linear precision (from geometric modeling), and use a result of June Huh maximum on likelihood degree (from algebraic statistics) to characterize strict linear precision. I will also discuss the more general notion of rational linear precision and how it relates to ML degree. This is joint work with Patrick Clarke of Drexel University.

HOST: Kiumars Kaveh