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Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
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Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
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A Mathematical Model of Multiplicative Knowledge Growth

Authors: Dimakopoulos, Spilios;

A Mathematical Model of Multiplicative Knowledge Growth

Abstract

This paper develops a mathematical framework for human knowledge acquisition in which learning is multiplicative rather than additive. The model introduces a knowledge-dependent insight probability — formalising the expert advantage — and derives closed-form solutions for three growth regimes (accelerating, plateau, linear) governed by the sign of a critical parameter λ = rαE[I] − δ. Extensions include a Cox–Ingersoll–Ross stochastic differential equation capturing individual variance, an optimal control analysis showing front-loaded schedules achieve 55–96% higher cumulative knowledge under equal effort, and an information-theoretic characterisation linking the knowledge-leverage coefficient α to the mutual information between new and existing knowledge. The framework yields falsifiable predictions and quantitative guidance for educational design.

Keywords

knowledge integration, cognitive science, probabilistic learning, multiplicative learning, expert learning, dynamical systems, cognitive modeling, stochastic differential equations, human learning, knowledge acquisition, optimal control, learning theory, educational design, expertise, forgetting curve, knowledge growth, insight generation, information theory

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green