IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/annopr/v343y2024i2d10.1007_s10479-024-06245-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The unexpected power of linear programming: an updated collection of surprising applications

Author

Listed:
  • Bruce Golden

    (University of Maryland)

  • Linus Schrage

    (University of Chicago)

  • Douglas Shier

    (Clemson University)

  • Lida Anna Apergi

    (University of Maryland)

Abstract

Linear programming has had a tremendous impact in the modeling and solution of a great diversity of applied problems, especially in the efficient allocation of resources. As a result, this methodology forms the backbone of introductory courses in operations research. What students, and others, may not appreciate is that linear programming transcends its linear nomenclature and can be applied to an even wider range of important practical problems. The objective of this article is to present a selection, and just a selection, from this range of problems that at first blush do not seem amenable to linear programming formulation. The exposition focuses on the most basic models in these selected applications, with pointers to more elaborate formulations and extensions. Thus, our intent is to expand the modeling awareness of those first encountering linear programming. In addition, we hope this article will be of interest to those who teach linear programming and to seasoned academics and practitioners, alike.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce Golden & Linus Schrage & Douglas Shier & Lida Anna Apergi, 2024. "The unexpected power of linear programming: an updated collection of surprising applications," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 343(2), pages 573-605, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:annopr:v:343:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s10479-024-06245-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10479-024-06245-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10479-024-06245-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10479-024-06245-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:annopr:v:343:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s10479-024-06245-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.