Ask the Algorithm: Simulated Annealing
An advice-column letter answered by an algorithm: simulated annealing.
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Free for classrooms, worksheets, slides and other non-commercial use under CC BY-NC 4.0, with credit to Ben Orlin.
Cartoon by Ben Orlin, Math with Bad Drawings. https://cartoons.mathwithbaddrawings.com/2025-07-29-ask-the-algorithm--ask-the-algorithm-simulated-annealing/ (CC BY-NC 4.0)Transcript
"Dear Algo, I'm itching to leave the little town where I grew up… but how do I decide where to go? –Stuck in Smalltown" / "Two words for you, Stuck: simulated annealing. Move continents five times in the next decade. After that, try random countries on the continent that suited you best… At this point, you will be 73 years old and living in the optimal residence on Earth. Enjoy!"