Matroids, secretary problems, and online mechanisms

Moshe Babaioff, Nicole Immorlica, Robert Kleinberg

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

192 Scopus citations

Abstract

We study a generalization of the classical secretary problem which we call the "matroid secretary problem". In this problem, the elements of a matroid are presented to an online algorithm in random order. When an element arrives, the algorithm observes its value and must make an irrevocable decision regarding whether or not to accept it. The accepted elements must form an independent set, and the objective is to maximize the combined value of these elements. This paper presents an O(log k)-competitive algorithm for general matroids (where k is the rank of the matroid), and constant-competitive algorithms for several special cases including graphic matroids, truncated partition matroids, and bounded degree transversal matroids. We leave as an open question the existence of constant-competitive algorithms for general matroids. Our results have applications in welfaremaximizing online mechanism design for domains in which the sets of simultaneously satis able agents form a matroid.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 18th Annual ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms, SODA 2007
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages434-443
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780898716245
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event18th Annual ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms, SODA 2007 - New Orleans, United States
Duration: 7 Jan 20079 Jan 2007

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms
Volume07-09-January-2007

Conference

Conference18th Annual ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms, SODA 2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans
Period7/01/079/01/07

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2007 by the Association for Computing Machinery, Inc. and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

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