Applied Integer Programming

An accessible treatment of the modeling and solution of integerprogramming problems, featuring modern applications andsoftware In order to fully comprehend the algorithms associated withinteger programming, it is important to understand not onlyhow algorithms work, but also why they work.Applied Integer Programming features a unique emphasis onthis point, focusing on problem modeling and solution usingcommercial software. Taking an application-oriented approach, thisbook addresses the art and science of mathematical modeling relatedto the mixed integer programming (MIP) framework and discusses thealgorithms and associated practices that enable those models to besolved most efficiently. The book begins with coverage of successful applications,systematic modeling procedures, typical model types, transformationof non-MIP models, combinatorial optimization problem models, andautomatic preprocessing to obtain a better formulation. Subsequentchapters present algebraic and geometric basic concepts of linearprogramming theory and network flows needed for understandinginteger programming. Finally, the book concludes with classical andmodern solution approaches as well as the key components forbuilding an integrated software system capable of solvinglarge-scale integer programming and combinatorial optimizationproblems. Throughout the book, the authors demonstrate essential conceptsthrough numerous examples and figures. Each new concept oralgorithm is accompanied by a numerical example, and, whereapplicable, graphics are used to draw together diverse problems orapproaches into a unified whole. In addition, features of solutionapproaches found in today's commercial software are identifiedthroughout the book. Thoroughly classroom-tested, Applied Integer Programmingis an excellent book for integer programming courses at theupper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It also serves as awell-organized reference for professionals, software developers,and analysts who work in the fields of applied mathematics,computer science, operations research, management science, andengineering and use integer-programming techniques to model andsolve real-world optimization problems.