Integer and Binary Variables

All the examples we have seen in this module so far have produced integer solutions. But it is very common to see LP solutions where the decision variables are not whole numbers. Computer software provides a simple way to guarantee only integer solutions. In addition, computers allow us to create special decision variables called binary variables that can only take on the values of 0 or 1. Binary variables allow us to introduce “yes-or-no” decisions into our linear programs and to introduce special logical conditions.

Creating Integer and Binary Variables

If we wish to ensure that decision variable values are integers rather than fractions, ...

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