The Mathematics Behind Online Dating Algorithms

Christian Rudder, a founder of OkCupid, explains the site's matching algorithm, which uses a systematic approach to solve the problem of romantic matching. The algorithm relies on user data collected through questions, considering both personal answers and desired responses from potential matches. The importance of each question is also factored in. The process involves calculating match percentages using a geometric mean, ensuring mutual satisfaction. This method highlights the significance of algorithms in translating human phenomena into computable data.

Who is Christian Rudder?

• A dating coach

• A computer scientist

• One of the founders of OkCupid

• A famous mathematician

What is an algorithm?

• A complex mathematical equation

• A type of computer hardware

• A random process

• A systematic, step-by-step way to solve a problem

Why are algorithms important for computers?

• They make computers more expensive

• They allow computers to perform step-by-step processes

• They are only used in dating sites

• They are used to design computer hardware

What kind of questions does OkCupid ask its users?

• Only questions about religion

• A variety of questions including personal preferences and beliefs

• Only questions about politics

• Only questions about movies

Why does OkCupid ask users to specify the importance of each question?

• To collect more data

• To confuse the users

• To weigh the answers differently based on their significance

• To make the questionnaire longer

In the example, what was the importance value assigned to 'very important'?

• 1

• 10

• 50

• 250

How does OkCupid's algorithm calculate the final match percentage?

• By averaging the two match scores

• By subtracting the lower score from the higher score

• By multiplying the scores and taking the nth root

• By adding the scores together

What is the geometric mean used for in OkCupid's algorithm?

• To make the algorithm faster

• To simplify the calculations

• To combine values with wide ranges and different properties

• To average the scores

Why is mutual satisfaction important in OkCupid's matching algorithm?

• Because it reduces the number of questions

• Because it increases the number of matches

• Because it makes the algorithm simpler

• Because it ensures both people are equally happy

What is the most important skill according to Christian Rudder?

• Being able to tell a story to a computer using algorithms

• Knowing how to use dating sites

• Being good at mathematics

• Understanding human attraction