CS 686 Assignment 2

The point of this exercise is to play with preference representations and using preferences for simple decisions. (We will talk about complex decisions---scheduling and planning, for instance---on the 26th and in more depth, later.)

You are to choose a choice domain where the things you choose from have many features of interest. Choose a preference or utility representation. Record your (real or made up) preferences. Then find a set of possible items, and evaluate according to your preferences.

To hand in:

• A description of the domain;
• a list of features;
• a description of your preference representation;
• your personal preferences, expressed in that representaiton;
• a list of items to choose from;
• what your stated preferences tell you about the items;
• what you learned.

You may find that the pieces don't fit together well. That's okay. The expectation for this assignment is that you are trying something out that you don't necessarily understand yet. You will be graded on having all the parts, and presenting them coherently. You may find that your preferences don't fit well with the representation. If so, think (and write) about what it is about the representation that makes it inappropriate for this domain, or for your particular preferences. You may also find that your preferences are not sufficient to make a decision.

Never leave a Goldsmith homework until the night before it's due.