utility function
Preference encoding formula
A utility function is a mathematical representation of preferences, assigning numerical values to outcomes so that preferred outcomes get higher numbers.
In economics, it models how people make choices: a consumer maximizes utility when deciding what to buy.
In artificial intelligence and game theory, utility functions formalize what an agent is trying to achieve, allowing optimization across possible actions.
The AI's utility function rewarded customer satisfaction above speed.
State of health, contentment
- satisfactionState of fulfilled desires
- happinessJoyful emotional state
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
- BenthamUtilitarian ethics founder
quality of life · pleasure · benefit · flourishing · distribution · equity
Act of selecting
- alternativesOther available options
- expected valueProbability-weighted outcome average
- decision theoryStudy of optimal choices
- payoffCulminating benefit received
outcome · strategy · game theory · rationality · trade-off · Savage
Maximum allowable expenditure
- diminishing returnsReduced benefit from additional effort
- demand curveGraph of price versus quantity
- neoclassicalReviving ancient aesthetic principles
- microeconomicsEconomics of small-scale decisions
risk aversion · consumption · preferences · goods · services · rational choice
Limiting condition or rule
- maximizationAchieving greatest possible amount
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
- gradientRate of change across space
- calculusMathematical analysis system
linear programming · feasibility · convergence · parameter · variable · algorithm · stochastic · heuristic
well-being
State of health, contentment
- satisfactionState of fulfilled desires
- happinessJoyful emotional state
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
Bentham · quality of life · pleasure · benefit · flourishing · distribution · equity
choice
Act of selecting
- alternativesOther available options
- expected valueProbability-weighted outcome average
- decision theoryStudy of optimal choices
payoff · outcome · strategy · game theory · rationality · trade-off · Savage
budget constraint
Maximum allowable expenditure
- diminishing returnsReduced benefit from additional effort
- demand curveGraph of price versus quantity
- neoclassicalReviving ancient aesthetic principles
microeconomics · risk aversion · consumption · preferences · goods · services · rational choice
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- maximizationAchieving greatest possible amount
- minimizationMaking as small as possible
- gradientRate of change across space
calculus · linear programming · feasibility · convergence · parameter · variable · algorithm · stochastic · heuristic · saddle point
utility functionheuristic
Practical solving shortcut
gut feeling · satisficing · instinct · whim · intuition
function, utility, functional, functioning, usefulness, utilize, utilities, utilitarian, functioned