“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon

A few years ago Michael Trick, one of the best known authorities in Operation Research, blogged about “Finding Love Optimally“. In particular, he wrote: “I was a doctoral student from ages 22 to 27 (age will be relevant shortly), and like many in that age group, I was quite concerned with finding a partner with whom to spend the rest of my life. Having decided on certain parameters for such a partner (female, breathing, etc.), I began to think about how I should optimally find a wife. In one of my classes, it hit me that the problem has been studied: it is the Secretary Problem! I had a position to fill (secretary, wife, what’s the difference?), a series of applicants, and my goal was to pick the best applicant for the position.” Read more