1. A computer-implemented method of distributing a value within a distributed computing system having a master system in communication with a plurality of worker systems, comprising: assigning partitions of a graph to the worker systems, the graph representing relationships among a set of tangible items that model a real-world condition having an associated problem; determining configuration information describing a configuration of the distributed computing system; selecting a distribution scheme, from among a plurality of distribution schemes, for distributing a value from the master system to the plurality of worker systems based on the configuration information, each of the plurality of distribution schemes defining a different hierarchal arrangement for distributing the value from the master system to the plurality of worker systems; and distributing the value from the master system to the worker systems according to the selected distribution scheme, wherein the worker systems are configured to use the value to produce an output representing a solution to the real-world problem, wherein the plurality of distribution schemes comprise a first distribution scheme where the worker systems receive the value directly from the master system and a second distribution scheme that organizes the worker systems into at least a first subset and second subset of worker systems, where the first subset of the worker systems receive the value directly from the master system and the second subset of the worker systems receive the value indirectly from the master system via the first subset of the worker systems.