A Θ(m^9) ternary minimum-cost network flow LP model of the Assignment Problem polytope with applications to hard combinatorial optimization problems

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1. Verfasser: Diaby, Moustapha
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2016
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author Diaby, Moustapha
author_facet Diaby, Moustapha
contents Background: Combinatorial optimization problems (COPs) are central to Logistics and Supply Chain decision making, yet their NP-hardness prevents exact optimal solutions in reasonable time. Methods: This work addresses that limitation by developing a novel ternary network flow linear programming (LP) model of the assignment problem (AP) polytope. The model is very large scale (with Θ(m^9) variables and Θ(m^8) constraints, where m is the number of assignments). Although not intended to compete with conventional two-dimensional formulations of the AP with respect to solution procedures, it enables hard COPs to be solved exactly as "strict" (integrality requirements-free) LPs through simple transformations of their cost functions. Illustrations are given for the quadratic assignment problem (QAP) and the traveling salesman problem (TSP). Results: Because the proposed LP model is polynomial-sized and there exist polynomial-time algorithms for solving LPs, it affirms "P = NP." A separable substructure of the model shows promise for practical-scale instances due to its suitability for large-scale optimization techniques such as dantzig-Wolfe Decomposition, Column Generation, and Lagrangian Relaxation. The formulation also has greater robutness relative to standard network flow models. Conclusiuons: Overall, tyhe approach provides a systematic , modeling-barrier-free framework for representing NP-complete problems as polynomial-sized LPs, with clear theoretical interest and practical potential for medium to lrage-scale Logistics and other COP-intensive applications.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_1610_00353
institution arXiv
publishDate 2016
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Θ(m^9) ternary minimum-cost network flow LP model of the Assignment Problem polytope with applications to hard combinatorial optimization problems
Diaby, Moustapha
Data Structures and Algorithms
Computational Complexity
Discrete Mathematics
Combinatorics
Optimization and Control
Background: Combinatorial optimization problems (COPs) are central to Logistics and Supply Chain decision making, yet their NP-hardness prevents exact optimal solutions in reasonable time. Methods: This work addresses that limitation by developing a novel ternary network flow linear programming (LP) model of the assignment problem (AP) polytope. The model is very large scale (with Θ(m^9) variables and Θ(m^8) constraints, where m is the number of assignments). Although not intended to compete with conventional two-dimensional formulations of the AP with respect to solution procedures, it enables hard COPs to be solved exactly as "strict" (integrality requirements-free) LPs through simple transformations of their cost functions. Illustrations are given for the quadratic assignment problem (QAP) and the traveling salesman problem (TSP). Results: Because the proposed LP model is polynomial-sized and there exist polynomial-time algorithms for solving LPs, it affirms "P = NP." A separable substructure of the model shows promise for practical-scale instances due to its suitability for large-scale optimization techniques such as dantzig-Wolfe Decomposition, Column Generation, and Lagrangian Relaxation. The formulation also has greater robutness relative to standard network flow models. Conclusiuons: Overall, tyhe approach provides a systematic , modeling-barrier-free framework for representing NP-complete problems as polynomial-sized LPs, with clear theoretical interest and practical potential for medium to lrage-scale Logistics and other COP-intensive applications.
title A Θ(m^9) ternary minimum-cost network flow LP model of the Assignment Problem polytope with applications to hard combinatorial optimization problems
topic Data Structures and Algorithms
Computational Complexity
Discrete Mathematics
Combinatorics
Optimization and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/1610.00353