My goal is to use a simple, real world situation to apply optimization algorithms to and find optimal choices based on computation. What information do I need to gather and what questions do I need to ask? In the end, I want to be able to say that yearly pattern $x$ of haircuts is the most optimal based on price, frequency, and satisfaction. How do I begin to define the variables of this problem? How would I even model satisfaction level??
Example inputs:
hair growth rate = 1 inch/month
satisfaction =
a. 3 inches = 10/10 (perfect satisfaction)
b. 3.5 inches = 9/10
c. 4 inches = 8/10
d. 5 inches = 5.5/10 (sharp decline)
e. 6 inches = 4.5/10
price of haircut = $20 (ludicrous, I know)