The Data-Correcting Algorithm (DCA) corrects the data of a hard problem instance in such a way that we obtain an instance of a well solvable special case. For a given prescribed accuracy of the solution, the DCA uses a branch and bound scheme to make sure that the solution of the corrected...

The first purpose of this paper is to make an old (Russian) theoretical results about the structure of local and global maxima of submodular functions, Cherenin’s excluding rules and his Dichotomy Algorithm more accessible for Western community. The second purpose of this paper is to present...

Binary knapsack problems are some of the most widely studied problems in combinatorial optimization. Several algorithms, both exact and approximate are known for this problem. In this paper, we embed heuristics within a branch and bound framework to produce an algorithm that generates solutions...

New product development is one of the most powerful but difficult activities in business. It is also a very important factor affecting final product quality. There are many techniques available for new product development. Experimental design is now regarded as one of the most significant...

We consider the objective function of a simple recourse problem with fixed technology matrix and integer second-stage variables. Separability due to the simple recourse structure allows to study a one-dimensional version instead. Based on an explicit formula for the objective function, we derive...

The simple plant location problem is a well-studied problem in combinatorial optimization. It is one of deciding where to locate a set of plants so that a set of clients can be supplied by them at the minimum cost. This problem of ten appears as a subproblem in other combinatorial problems....

The Data Correcting Algorithm is a branch and bound algorithm in which thedata of a given problem instance is ‘corrected’ at each branching in such a waythat the new instance will be as close as possible to a polynomially solvableinstance and the result satisfies an acceptable accuracy (the...

Although Branch and Bound (BnB) methods are among the most widely used techniques for solving hard problems, it is still a challenge to make these methods smarter. In this paper, we investigate iterative patching, a technique in which a fixed patching procedure is applied at each node of the BnB...

For a given optimal solution to a combinatorial optimization problem, we show, under very natural conditions, the equality of the minimal values of upper and lower tolerances, where the upper tolerances are calculated for the given optimal solution and the lower tolerances outside the optimal...

In this paper we deal with a pseudo-Boolean representation of the simple plant location problem. We define instances of this problem that are equivalent, in the sense that each feasible solution has the same goal function value in all such instances. We further define a collection of polytopes...