Linear programming
Linear programming is an optimization method that maximizes or minimizes a linear objective subject to linear equality or inequality constraints.
Statistics Every Programmer Needs
A linear program is an optimization problem with a linear objective function and linear equality or inequality constraints.
- How it is used
- Allocates limited resources across competing projects while maximizing priority scores under budget and strategic-balance limits.
- How deep it goes
- Develops variables, a linear objective, constraints, Python inputs, solver steps, and result checks; does not detail solver algorithms.
- Examples
- Uses a 20-feature backlog with priority scores, two budget caps, and minimum and maximum selections across three strategic groups.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via SciPy's linprog() to formulate and assess resource-allocation plans, checking feasibility and intended selections.
Read how Statistics Every Programmer Needs explains linear programming →
Optimization Algorithms: AI techniques for design, planning, and control problems
An optimization problem with a linear objective function and linear constraints.
- How it is used
- Models planning and design decisions involving linear costs, benefits, requirements, and resource mixtures.
- How deep it goes
- Defines linearity, works through a feed-mix formulation, and implements it in PuLP without developing solver internals.
- Examples
- Uses an animal feed mixture with nutrient constraints and references plant layout, wheel design, and finite catenary optimization problems.
- What you can do after
- Apply it via PuLP by defining variables, objectives, constraints, solving the model, and inspecting the resulting values.
Related concepts
- optimizationkind of · Optimization is the systematic selection or adjustment of values, actions, or system designs to improve a specified objective, often subject to constraints.
- dynamic programmingcontrasts with · Dynamic programming is an algorithmic technique that solves problems by decomposing them into overlapping subproblems and storing or reusing their solutions.
- linprogaddressed by · linprog is a SciPy function that solves linear programming problems by minimizing a linear objective subject to specified constraints.
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