Princess Alice and the 1,001 Suitors
A mathematical fairy tale featuring the secretary problem
“One thousand suitors wait outside the palace gates. Interview the first 368, then off with their heads. Afterward, choose the next that comes along who is better than any among the first 368.”
Princess Alice raised one eyebrow. She pouted, cocked her head to one side. “Ooh! It’s so cold. So analytical.” She paused. Then grinned. “I like it!”
It was the day before her 18th birthday. Tomorrow, the Kingdom would celebrate Princess Alice’s coming of age. And her wedding. The only problem: a suitable groom for the princess bride. The King had wanted to consult the Royal Matchmaker, but she had just eloped with the Royal Executioner. Desperate, he called upon the Royal Mathematician.
“No problem,” he had said. “I got this.” And he advised the King to have his Royal Scouts scour the kingdom and surrounding lands. They were to gather 1,000 eligible prospects for Princess Alice.
That was yesterday. Today a crowd of hopefuls pressed against the palace gates.
The King frowned. “Explain it again, Royal Mathematician.”
The Royal Mathematician gestured toward the Royal Flannel Board. “To illustrate, we’ll look at a much simpler problem. Suppose you…
