Solving Minimization Problems

Student Tip

LP problems can be structured to minimize costs as well as maximize profits.

Many linear programming problems involve minimizing an objective such as cost instead of maximizing a profit function. A restaurant, for example, may wish to develop a work schedule to meet staffing needs while minimizing the total number of employees. Also, a manufacturer may seek to distribute its products from several factories to its many regional warehouses in a way that minimizes total shipping costs.

Minimization problems can be solved graphically by first setting up the feasible solution region and then using either the ...

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