Algorithms for startup founders

[2017-11-18 Sat 11:17:10] event: GeekCampSG speaker: Chang Sau Sheong

How to hire the best engineer?

• aka the secretary problem
• hire the best after X interviews
• run simulations, X is 37%

Which problem should you deal with first?

• aka single-machine scheduling problem
• each task as weight, duration, due date
• compares the following:
  • choose a task at random
  • faster tasks first
  • important tasks first
  • due task first

Pivot or Persevere?

• aka multi-armed bandit
• stick to one arm
• randomly choose a arm
• e-greedy, e = 10%
  • not as good as stick to one when variance is low