On Nov 19, 2007, at 6:29 PM, Kevin Brown wrote:
Sounds like a SQL problem.
Data -> database -> query -> answer :)
It isn't because it is trying to solve a multivariate series of problems.
X + 2Y - 3Z = 8
X*Y/Z = 12
Solve for X, Y and Z (which you can't in this case because there is one
fewer equations than you have variables). SQL can't do this.
In linear programming you usually don't have enough equations or variable to solve a set of equations (rarely do you have complete information in real life to generate a complete set of equations or to know all variables). You usually know constraints for variables. It's really not programming like when you think of computer programming.
You might be able to accomplish the same thing with a spreadsheet. I know in Excel there is a feature called "Solver" or "Goal Seek" that may do what you need. There should be something similar in OpenOffice Calc.