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Free course

Linear programming – the basic ideas

Linear programming – the basic ideas

This free course examines the formulation and solution of small linear programming problems. Section 1 deals with the formulation of linear programming models, describing how mathematical models of suitable real-world problems can be constructed. Section 2 looks at graphical representations of two-dimensional models, considers some theoretical implications and examines the graphical solution of such models. Section 3 introduces the simplex method for solving linear programming models and Section 4 uses matrix notation to formalize the simplex method.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • formulate a given simplified description of a suitable real-world problem as a linear programming model in general, standard and canonical forms
  • sketch a graphical representation of a two-dimensional linear programming model given in general, standard or canonical form
  • classify a two-dimensional linear programming model by the type of its solution
  • solve a two-dimensional linear programming problem graphically
  • use the simplex method to solve small linear programming models by hand, given a basic feasible point.

First Published: 12/03/2018

Updated: 11/07/2019

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