Model Building in Mathematical Programming

This extensively revised and updated edition discusses the general principles of model building in mathematical programming and shows how they can be applied by using twenty simplified, but practical problems from widely different contexts. Suggested formulations and solutions are given in the latter part of the book, together with some computational experience to give the reader some feel for the computational difficulty of solving that particular type of model. The book illustrates the scope and the limitations of mathematical programming and shows how it can be applied to real situations. By emphasizing the importance of building and interpreting of models rather than the solution process, the author attempts to fill a gap left by the many works which concentrate on the algorithmic side of the subject.

Review of previous editions

'Such a text - and this is the only one of this type I know of - should be the basis of all instruction in Mathematical Programming.' Journal of the Royal Statistical Society

'An excellent introduction ... for students of business administration and people who want to see the utility of operations research.' European Journal of Operational Research

'It will be appreciated very much by practitioners who already have knowledge in the field of mathematical programming.' Mathematical Programming Society Newsletter Model Building in Mathematical Programming Fourth Edition H. Paul Williams Faculty of Mathematical Studies, University of Southampton, UK

This extensively revised fourth edition of this well-known and much praised book contains a great deal of new material. In particular sections and new problems have been added covering Revenue Management. Hydro Electric Generation, Date Envelopment (efficiency) Analysis, Milk Distribution and Collection and Constraint Programming. The book discusses the general principles of model building in mathematical programming and shows how they can be applied by using simplified but practical problems from widely different contexts. Suggested formulations and solutions are given in the latter part of the book together with computational experience to give the reader a feel for the computation difficulty of solving that particular type of model. Aimed at undergraduates, postgraduates, research students and managers, this book illustrates the scope and limitations of mathematical programming, and shows how it can be applied to real situations. By emphasizing the importance of the building and interpretation of models rather than the solution process, the author attempts to fill a gap left by the many works which concentrate on the algorithmic side of the subject.