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Lecture

Branch & Bound: Optimization

In course

MGT-483: Optimal decision making

This course introduces the theory and applications of optimization. We develop tools and concepts of optimization and decision analysis that enable managers in manufacturing, service operations, marketing, transportation and finance to transform data into ...

Description

This lecture covers the Branch & Bound algorithm, a divide and conquer approach to explore feasible solutions efficiently by using bounds on the optimal cost. The algorithm iteratively partitions the problem into subproblems, computes lower and upper bounds, and prunes infeasible solutions. LP-based Branch & Bound is discussed, along with examples demonstrating the algorithm's application. The lecture also delves into the Pigeonhole Problem, LP relaxation, and portfolio optimization, emphasizing the trade-off between risk and return. Additionally, it explores Nonlinear Programming, the Fermat-Weber Problem, and the Ball Circumscription Problem.

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Instructor

Daniel Kuhn

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Theoretical computer science

Algorithms and data structures: Combinatorial optimization

Related concepts (32)

Branch and cut

Branch and cut is a method of combinatorial optimization for solving integer linear programs (ILPs), that is, linear programming (LP) problems where some or all the unknowns are restricted to integer values. Branch and cut involves running a branch and bound algorithm and using cutting planes to tighten the linear programming relaxations. Note that if cuts are only used to tighten the initial LP relaxation, the algorithm is called cut and branch. This description assumes the ILP is a maximization problem.

Branch and bound

Branch and bound (BB, B&B, or BnB) is a method for solving optimization problems by breaking them down into smaller sub-problems and using a bounding function to eliminate sub-problems that cannot contain the optimal solution. It is an algorithm design paradigm for discrete and combinatorial optimization problems, as well as mathematical optimization. A branch-and-bound algorithm consists of a systematic enumeration of candidate solutions by means of state space search: the set of candidate solutions is thought of as forming a rooted tree with the full set at the root.

Nonlinear programming

In mathematics, nonlinear programming (NLP) is the process of solving an optimization problem where some of the constraints or the objective function are nonlinear. An optimization problem is one of calculation of the extrema (maxima, minima or stationary points) of an objective function over a set of unknown real variables and conditional to the satisfaction of a system of equalities and inequalities, collectively termed constraints. It is the sub-field of mathematical optimization that deals with problems that are not linear.

Mathematical optimization

Mathematical optimization (alternatively spelled optimisation) or mathematical programming is the selection of a best element, with regard to some criterion, from some set of available alternatives. It is generally divided into two subfields: discrete optimization and continuous optimization. Optimization problems arise in all quantitative disciplines from computer science and engineering to operations research and economics, and the development of solution methods has been of interest in mathematics for centuries.

Linear programming

Linear programming (LP), also called linear optimization, is a method to achieve the best outcome (such as maximum profit or lowest cost) in a mathematical model whose requirements are represented by linear relationships. Linear programming is a special case of mathematical programming (also known as mathematical optimization). More formally, linear programming is a technique for the optimization of a linear objective function, subject to linear equality and linear inequality constraints.

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