reversed-search problem

industrial engineering

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

A "reversed-search problem" occurs when the object being searched for is controllable, rather than the search procedure itself. This contrasts with typical search problems where the goal is to find the best way to gather information for a decision. In a reversed-search scenario, the focus is on influencing how others search.

Examples include retailers arranging goods in stores to guide customer discovery, or the strategic placement of land or sea mines. The objective is to optimize the placement or design of the "object" to be found, considering factors like setup costs, analysis of data, and the cost of errors, often utilizing statistical techniques.12

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operations research
Search problems
A “reversed-search” problem arises when the search procedure is not under control but the object of the search is. Most retailers, for example, cannot control the manner in which customers search for goods in their stores, but they can control the location of the goods. This…
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A “reversed-search” problem arises when the search procedure is not under control but the object of the search is. Most retailers, for example, cannot control the manner in which customers search for goods in their stores, but they can control the location of the goods. This…
Read More