When to Stop Looking

The 37% rule

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• In optimal stopping, look first to set a benchmark, then leap at the first option that beats it.
• The best cut-off is about $1/e \approx 37\%$ of the options.
• It gives about a 37% chance of choosing the very best.

Steps

1. Choosing the best
2. Look, then leap
3. Why not leap sooner?
4. Just three
5. Ten candidates
6. Flat hunting