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Expert: - 2/4/2009


Question

penny
Please see the attached image. This problem requires me to figure out an algorithm is not correct and why. Can you explain how you would do this? And why Dr. Smeadly made an error?

Answer
Suppose there are just two profs, A and B, and their offices and the classrooms (1 and 2) are all on one corridor. Suppose the order if you walk along the corridor is: Room 2, Prof A, Room 1, Prof B. It's easy to choose the distances such that

d_A1=1
d_A2=2
d_B1=2
d_B2=5

Following the dept head's algorithm, we would put A in room 1 and B in room 2, which is clearly sub-optimal.  

Paul Klarreich

Expertise

I can answer questions in basic to advanced algebra (theory of equations, complex numbers), precalculus (functions, graphs, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and identities), basic probability, and finite mathematics, including mathematical induction. I can also try (but not guarantee) to answer questions on Abstract Algebra -- groups, rings, etc. and Analysis -- sequences, limits, continuity. I won't understand specialized engineering or business jargon.

Experience

I taught at a two-year college for 25 years, including all subjects from algebra to third-semester calculus.

Education/Credentials
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