Filling a ferry

[bitwrx]

Back when I was at school, in discrete maths, we covered packing algorithms. There was one where to fill a ferry, you put the lorries on first, then the caravans, then the cars; basically biggest item first.

I used this method the other day to minimise my steel requirement for a project, thereby saving myself some cash. I now want to tell a potential employer how super I am, and how I applied my technical knowledge to commercial advantage.

But I can't remember what this algorithm is called. And because of that, Google can't find it for me. Can PH?

[marshalla]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packing_problem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bin_packing_problem

[Cock Womble]

Just remember to close the doors.

[bitwrx]

Ta. First-fit-descending is what it's called.

And yes, it is usually followed by some door closing algorithm.

[jagracer]

bitwrx said:

Back when I was at school, in discrete maths, we covered packing algorithms. There was one where to fill a ferry, you put the lorries on first, then the caravans, then the cars; basically biggest item first.

Wouldn't the ferry sit down at the bows if you did that?

[sjp63]

not heard of that one - i would think it depends on the shape of the ferry doesn't it

[no1special]

Oh yes, I remember this one.

Right, you have to take the chicken over first, so the fox is left with the grain.
Then you go back across the river yourself.
Then take over the fox, but bring the chicken back, oh, hang on a minute........

[Urban Sports]

Which ferry?

[SystemParanoia]

sea cat

[spikeyhead]

dibbers006 said:

In the same way it is questioned how many sheep you could fit in a transporting lorry rather than how many you 'should'.

pure_mathematician said:

It is possible to put an infinite number of sheep safely inside a lorry, so long as you define the inside as being the volume not enclosed by the lorry's trailer.

[V8mate]

dibbers006 said:

In the same way it is questioned how many sheep you could fit in a transporting lorry rather than how many you 'should'.

Ewe should.

[GKP]

spikeyhead said:

dibbers006 said:

In the same way it is questioned how many sheep you could fit in a transporting lorry rather than how many you 'should'.

pure_mathematician said:

It is possible to put an infinite number of sheep safely inside a lorry, so long as you define the inside as being the volume not enclosed by the lorry's trailer.

But that's not the same as banging on the side of an overloaded budgie transporter.