Linear Programming 101

Linear programming

In Operational Research (OR) such as linear programming, modeling a problem consists in identifying:

  • intrinsic variables (unknowns)
  • the various constraints to which these variables are subject
  • the target objective (optimization) called the Goal function.

In a linear programming (LP) problem the constraints and the objective are linear functions of the variables. Also referred to as a linear program. They are denoted as follows (canonic form sheer):

Maximize   vsT x
Subject to Ax ≤ b
 x ≥ 0

where x is the vector of variables (x1,…, Xnot), vs and b are vectors of coefficients, TO a size coefficient matrix m * n, and T the transpose (column vector instead of row vector for example). Inequalities Ax ≤ b and x ≥ 0 (positivity of the variables) are constraints. the definition field formed is a convex polytope. The linear program is said to be in standard form if it involves equality constraints.

Positivity of variables. If in the context, we have a non-zero lower bound x ≥ k, just ask y = xk and y ≥ 0. If there is no lower bound, we can always set x = yz with y ≥ 0 and z ≥ 0.

Any standard problem can be written canonically and vice versa. The equality constraint breaks down into two inequality constraints. An inequality constraint is written in the form of equality by adding an slack variable.

A solution x 'is said to be feasible if it satisfies all the constraints.

To sum up, linear programming is made up of four elements:

  1. decision variables;
  2. an objective function;
  3. resource constraints;
  4. "type" constraints.

To formulate a problem from a specification, follow the four previous points in order.

Example. Consider a factory that produces two types of keyboard earning £ 50 and £ 70 each. To manufacture a type 1 unit, it takes 40 min of labor and 20 min of machining. To manufacture a type 2 unit, it takes 30 minutes of labor and 30 minutes of machining. The workforce works 6 hours a day while the machine is available 8 hours a day. How many units of each type must be produced to maximize profits?

Linear program. This problem is modeled according to the following PL:

maximum 50x + 70y
SC 40x + 30y ≤ 360
20x + 30y ≤ 480
x, y≥ 0

Possible solutions

Only four cases can arise:

  1. If the domain of definition is null, the problem is not feasible;
  2. otherwise: the optimum does not exist, the problem is unbounded;
  3. or: the problem has a unique optimal solution coinciding with an extreme point (a vertex) of the domain of definition;
  4. or: the problem has an infinity of solutions forming a face or an edge of the domain of definition.

linear programming

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