Title :
The Widget Problem Revisited
Author :
Tribus, Myron ; Fitts, Gary
Author_Institution :
Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. 03755
Abstract :
The Jaynes "widget problem" is reviewed as an example of an application of the principle of maximum entropy in the making of decisions. The exact solution yields an unusual probability distribution. The problem illustrates why some kinds of decisions can be made intuitively and accurately, but would be difficult to rationalize without the principle of maximum entropy.
Keywords :
Convergence; Decision theory; Entropy; Financial management; Information theory; Knowledge management; Paints; Probability distribution; Seminars; Tellurium;
Journal_Title :
Systems Science and Cybernetics, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TSSC.1968.300118
