What is the Post-office Problem for n>2?

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In summary, the conversation is about the Post-office, say POP problem, which asks for the largest positive integer M that cannot be written as a nonnegative combination of two positive integers p and q. The proof for n=2 is not difficult and the number is (p-1)(q-1)-1. The conversation then shifts to the problem for n>2, where an n-ple of relatively prime positive integers is given and the goal is to find M. The speaker asks for any sources or references for the problem, particularly for n=3. Another person shares a helpful link for the problem.
  • #1
Bacle2
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Hi, All:

I was hoping someone would know a source for the Post-office, say POP problem, n>2.

For n=2, POP asks, given a pair of positive integers p, q, with (p,q)=1, to find the largest

positive integer M that cannot be written as a nonnegative combination of p,q (so, if p,q

are resp. the values of stamps, M is the largest-priced of a package that cannot be

paid-for with p-stamps and q-stamps. ). For n=2, this number is (p-1)(q-1)-1 .

Proof is not too hard.

Anyway, for n>2 we have an n-ple (x1 x2,...,xn)

of relatively-prime positive integers , and we want to find M . I don't even know the

results for n=3 . Any sources, refs? Thanks in Advance.


Anyway, for n=3, we have a tri
 
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  • #3
Nice.Thanks for the link.
 

1. What is the Post-office Problem for n>2?

The Post-office Problem for n>2 is a mathematical problem that involves finding the shortest route for multiple post offices to deliver mail to a set of houses. It is an extension of the classic Traveling Salesman Problem, where the goal is to find the shortest route for a single salesman to visit all locations once.

2. Why is the Post-office Problem for n>2 important?

The Post-office Problem for n>2 has real-world applications in logistics and transportation, where companies need to optimize their delivery routes to minimize time and costs. It also has implications in computer science and graph theory, as it is a complex and challenging problem to solve.

3. What is the difference between the Post-office Problem for n>2 and the Traveling Salesman Problem?

The main difference between the two problems is the number of destinations. The Traveling Salesman Problem involves finding the shortest route for a single salesman to visit all locations. In contrast, the Post-office Problem for n>2 involves finding the shortest routes for multiple post offices to deliver mail to a set of houses.

4. Are there any known solutions to the Post-office Problem for n>2?

Yes, there are some known solutions to this problem, but they are not efficient for larger numbers of destinations. The most common approach is to use heuristic algorithms, which can provide good solutions but do not guarantee the optimal solution.

5. What are some potential challenges in solving the Post-office Problem for n>2?

One of the main challenges in solving this problem is its complexity. As the number of destinations increases, the number of possible routes also increases exponentially, making it computationally intensive to find the optimal solution. Another challenge is the practicality of implementing the solution in real-world scenarios, as there are many factors to consider, such as traffic, road conditions, and delivery schedules.

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