Preface. A preface to a chapter is unusual, but dynamic programming requires some motivation.
The Most Profound Academic Joke Ever Told
A professor was searching near a lamppost for his dropped keys when one of his former students walked by. “Did you lose your keys, Professor?” asked the student.
“Yes, I did,” replied the professor.
“Well, I’ll help you look,” said the student.
After a few minutes of search, the student asked, “Do you know on which side of the lamppost you most likely dropped them?”
“Oh,” said the professor, “I dropped them somewhere over there by the side ...
