Model Building in Mathematical Programming, 5th Edition

Preface

Mathematical programmes are among the most widely used models in operational research and management science. In many cases their application has been so successful that their use has passed out of operational research departments to become an accepted routine planning tool. It is therefore rather surprising that comparatively little attention has been paid in the literature to the problems of formulating and building mathematical programming models or even deciding when such a model is applicable. Most published work has tended to be of two kinds. Firstly, case studies of particular applications have been described in the operational research journals and journals relating to specific industries. Secondly, research work on new algorithms for special classes of problems has provided much material for the more theoretical journals. This book attempts to fill the gap by, in Part I, discussing the general principles of model building in mathematical programming. In Part II, 29 practical problems are presented to which mathematical programming can be applied. By simplifying the problems, much of the tedious institutional detail of case studies is avoided. It is hoped, however, that the essence of the problems is preserved and easily understood. Finally, in Parts III and IV, suggested formulations and solutions to the problems are given together with some computational experience.

Many books already exist on mathematical programming or, in particular, linear programming. Most ...