GA Selection Methods

Interactive Demonstration of Parent Selection Strategies

Home Genetic Algorithm N-Queens Hill Climbing TSP Hill Climbing SA N-Queens Selection Methods

Selection Methods Overview

Goal: To prefer solutions with higher fitness, driving the population towards optimal outcomes while maintaining diversity for exploring new possibilities.

Roulette Wheel
Probability proportional to fitness. Fitter individuals get larger "slices" of the wheel.
Tournament
Random group picked, fittest individual within that group is selected as parent.
Rank Selection
Based on rank rather than raw fitness values. Prevents premature convergence.

Sample Population

Click on any selection method below to see how it chooses parents from this population.

🎯
Roulette Wheel

Probability proportional to fitness

🏆
Tournament Selection

Best from random group (k=3)

🥇
Rank Selection

Based on fitness ranking

Method Comparison

Method Selection Pressure Diversity Preservation Best For
🎯 Roulette Wheel Moderate Good Balanced exploration/exploitation
🏆 Tournament Adjustable (k-size) Excellent Maintaining population diversity
🥇 Rank Consistent Very Good Preventing premature convergence