OPERATIONS RESEARCH: MODELINGS AND OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES

This work is an introduction to Operations Research that coalesces problem modeling, solution techniques and optimization software. By means of simple models, the book explains the main algorithms used in professional software (simplex algorithm with bounded variables, revised simplex, branch and bound and others) as well as results interpretation or sensitivity analysis and parametric programming. All chapters include several practical examples and problems both for class and for lab sessions. There is a complete chapter dealing with model formulation, including production problems, mixtures, work shifts, set covering, transport, assignment, agricultural and many other problems and examples. The book also covers more advanced techniques such as project management, multi-objective, goal and non linear programming. There is also a chapter dealing with metaheuristics, more precisely with Genetic Algorithms aiming at solving complex combinatorial problems commonly found in practice.