This volume explores the interconnectedness of various mathematical disciplines through the lens of Peter Whittle's extensive research. The book presents papers spanning quantum probability, polymer science, communication theory, epidemic modeling, queueing theory, large deviations, nonlinear systems, neural networks, spatial statistics, sequential analysis, optimization, Gittins indices, and Markov decision processes. Whittle, a distinguished mathematician with over forty years of experience, seeks to highlight the underlying unity and coherence within applicable mathematics, providing a valuable context for statistics and operational research.

The book is presented as a collection reflecting Peter Whittle's wide-ranging professional interests and his pursuit of underlying unity in mathematics. It is intended as essential reading for students in applicable mathematics, statistics, probability, and optimization. The author's extensive career and emphasis on the coherence of applicable mathematics suggest a text that bridges theoretical concepts with practical applications.