linux linear programming model

[Jon M. Hanson]

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.

Of course, Wikipedia has an entry for it: http://en.wikipedia.org/ 
wiki/Linear_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.

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