The value of Euler's number e, also known as the natural exponent, is approximately 2.718. I had not realized that this constant shows up in so many areas of mathematics and probability.
I learned a while ago, about the so-called "secretary problem". You want to interview a number of candidates, but you must hire a candidate on the spot--you cannot go back to an earlier candidate. The solution is if you have N candidates, you should interview the first N/e candidates, and then after that, you should immediately hire the next one who is equal or better than all the previous ones.
This problem is not just about hiring secretaries. You can use it for any selection process; finding a spouse, a home, or anything else.
Why e, the Transcendental Math Constant, Is Just the Best by Pradeep Mutalik, in the online Quanta Magazine. If you are mathematically inclined, it is worth reading.
I learned a while ago, about the so-called "secretary problem". You want to interview a number of candidates, but you must hire a candidate on the spot--you cannot go back to an earlier candidate. The solution is if you have N candidates, you should interview the first N/e candidates, and then after that, you should immediately hire the next one who is equal or better than all the previous ones.
This problem is not just about hiring secretaries. You can use it for any selection process; finding a spouse, a home, or anything else.
I just found an article that describes why the natural exponent finds itself in so many interesting problems:
https://www.quantamagazine.org/why-eu...
Why e, the Transcendental Math Constant, Is Just the Best by Pradeep Mutalik, in the online Quanta Magazine. If you are mathematically inclined, it is worth reading.