Module overview
This module aims to introduce the student to some of the main deterministic techniques that are used in operational research, namely linear and integer programming. The process of modelling problems of a practical nature as a linear or integer program will be developed. Following an explanation of a standard version of the simplex method, some of its variants will be introduced. The main ideas of linear programming duality will also be explained. A computer workshop session trains students in the use of commercial linear programming software. The branch and bound approach for solving integer programming problems will also be developed.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- state LP duality theorem (Section 3 (Duality))
- write the general form of a mathematical programming problem (Section 1 (Intro to MP))
- describe and prove week duality theorem (Section 3 (Duality))
- formulate various problems using LP, IP and NLP
- describe the idea behind the Simplex method (Section 2 (Simplex Method))
- describe economic interpretation of shadow price and perform sensitivity analysis on LP
- describe graphical method, simplex methods (primal and dual) and apply them to solve relatively small LP problems
- distinguish between LP, IP, and NLP (Section 1 (Intro to MP))
- describe how dual simplex can be used in the case additional constraint leads to infeasibility (Section 4 (Sensitivity))
- using duality and complementary slackness to verify optimality (Section 3 (Duality))
- describe the method for finding initial BFS and to avoid cycling (Section 2 (Simplex Method))
- model either-or, set-up costs and other condition-based constraints using binary variables and constraints in the context of integer programming (Section 5 (Integer Programming))
- apply the dictionary and full tableau Simplex method to solve LP problems in standard form given a starting BFS (Section 2 (Simplex Method))
- apply branch and bound to solve simple IP (e.g. with no more than 3 variables) (Section 5 (Integer Programming))
- describe the dual Simplex method (using dictionary) (Section 3 (Duality))
- interpret shadow price and primal-dual pair in terms of profit maximization vs. resource scarcity (Section 3 (Duality))
- derive the range of the RHS until the optimal basis start changing and the corresponding range of the optimal value (Section 4 (Sensitivity))
- describe the motivation for using duality and formulate the dual problem given the primal (Section 3 (Duality))
- describe complementary slackness conditions (Section 3 (Duality))
- describe situations when sensitivity analysis is used (Section 4 (Sensitivity))
- write down general form and standard form of LP problems (Section 2 (Simplex Method))
- formulate the knapsack problem using IP (Section 5 (Integer Programming))
- derive (upper) bound on IP using LP relaxation (Section 5 (Integer Programming))
- derive the range of the objective coefficient until the optimal basis start changing and the corresponding range of the optimal value (Section 4 (Sensitivity))
- solve LP problems with two variables using the graphical method (Section 1 (Intro to MP))
- describe duality theorems and complementary slackness
- obtain (lower) bound on IP using rounding (Section 5 (Integer Programming))
- apply parametric programming to calculate the change of the objective value (and the optimal solutions) when more than one objective coefficient or the RHS are changed continuously (Section 4 (Sensitivity))
- define basic solution, basic feasible solution, optimal BSF of LP problems in standard form (Section 2 (Simplex Method))
- describe branch and bound methods
- describe the motivation for using duality and formulate the dual problem given the primal
- describe 5 steps for formulating a mathematical programming problem (Section 1 (Intro to MP))
- describe relationships for primal-dual pair in terms of optimality, feasibility and boundedness (Section 3 (Duality))
- apply these steps to the two examples in the handout (and similar problems) (Section 1 (Intro to MP))
- describe general branch and bound method (Section 5 (Integer Programming))
- transform LP problems from general form to standard form and vice versa (Section 2 (Simplex Method))
Syllabus
Linear Programming.
- Model construction and modelling issues.
- Simplex method: two-phase algorithm, dual simplex method, network simplex method.
- Duality: motivation and definitions, duality theorem, complementary slackness, optimality
- testing.
- Sensitivity analysis: ranging for objective function coefficients and right hand-side constraints,
- economic interpretation and applications.
- Parametric programming. Integer Programming.
- Modelling techniques using zero-one variables.
- Branch and bound algorithm for integer programming.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Five 2-hour lectures
Two 1-hour class sessions
Two 2-hour computer sessions
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 16 |
Completion of assessment task | 10 |
Revision | 10 |
Follow-up work | 16 |
Lecture | 10 |
Practical classes and workshops | 6 |
Wider reading or practice | 7 |
Total study time | 75 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
WL Winston. Operations Research: Applications and Algorithms. Duxbury.
V Chvatal. Linear Programming. Freeman.
HP Williams. Model Solving in Mathematical Programming. Wiley.
FS Hillier & GJ Lieberman. Introduction to Mathematical Programming. McGraw Hill.
HP Williams. Model Building in Mathematical Programming. Wiley.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 30% |
Exam | 70% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Written assessment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External