A nondominated solution is a feasible alternative that cannot be improved in one objective without worsening another. Together, such trade-off-optimal alternatives form a Pareto frontier. section 1.3.2 section 8.9
Electric-vehicle design
Suppose designs seek both greater EPA range and faster acceleration. A design on the Pareto frontier remains attractive because improving one measure would require sacrificing the other; a higher-level decision then selects among the alternatives. section 1.3.2
Distinguish nondominated solutions from single-score optimization:
- Weighted optimization combines objectives into one score, but choosing the preference vector or weights can be subjective. section 1.3.2
- Pareto optimization preserves multiple trade-off choices, which can later be refined through higher-level information or decision-making. section 8.9
- Constraint-satisfaction problems instead seek feasible solutions without defining an explicit objective function; the 4 × 4 n-queen problem has two equally acceptable solutions. section 1.3.2
Figure 1.6 Electric vehicle design problem for maximizing EPA range and minimizing acceleration time
Use the electric-vehicle design figure to visualize competing objectives and the alternatives that motivate a Pareto frontier. section 1.3.2
