You're at the dog shelter and want to adopt a dog. You will be shown n dogs. After you're shown a dog, you have to decide there and then whether to take it. You think the first dog is really great, but you're worried the next dog will be better.

What is the best strategy for choosing a dog?

Question

You're at the dog shelter and want to adopt a dog.  You will be shown n dogs.  After you're shown a dog, you have to decide there and then whether to take it.  You think the first dog is really great, but you're worried the next dog will be better.

What is the best strategy for choosing a dog?

jamesj · Answer

In other words, by the time you've moved onto dog #2, you can't go back and choose #1.  And so on for all n dogs.

asnaseer · Answer

Look at all n dogs then ask a friend to go back and pick the one you liked best.
I am guessing this is not the solution you desire ;-D

jamesj · Answer

(This is the G rated version of this problem.  The original version is more interesting and I leave it to your bar life imaginations.)

asnaseer · Answer

I see - in which case you would not want your friend to enjoy the benefits!

asnaseer · Answer

this seems to be a well known problem called the "Secretary problem". For those wishing to solve it themselves do not look at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_problem

jamesj · Answer

Yes, that's it.

anonymous · Answer

i would choose the last dog :P