Linear Programming and Sensitivity Metrics

Advances in business and engineering research and computer technology have expanded managers¿ use of mathematical models. A model represents the essential features of an object, system, or problem without unimportant details. The models in this supplement have the important aspects represented in mathematical form using variables, parameters, and functions. Analyzing and manipulating the model gives insight into how the real system behaves under various conditions. From this we determine the best system design or action to take.Facility location, vehicle routing and scheduling, personnel, machine and job scheduling, product mixes, and inventory management problems are formulated as constrained optimization models. Constrained optimization models are mathematical models that find the best solution with respect to some evaluation criterion from a set of alternative solutions. These solutions are defined by a set of mathematical constraints ¿ mathematical inequalities or equalities.