Is this a trick question? Standard form

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of a problem presented in a specific format related to standard form in optimization, particularly in linear programming. Participants are examining the requirements for a problem to be considered in standard form, including the treatment of variables and constraints.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring how to convert inequalities and equations into standard form, questioning the definitions of positivity and non-negativity of variables. There is also a discussion on the meaning of "u.r.s." and its implications for the problem's standardization.

Discussion Status

Some participants are providing insights into the definitions of standard form from different sources, while others are questioning whether the original problem meets all the necessary criteria. There is a recognition of varying interpretations of standard form, and guidance has been offered regarding the treatment of unrestricted variables.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that different authors may have varying definitions of what constitutes standard form, leading to potential confusion. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding these definitions in the context of the problem at hand.

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Homework Statement



[PLAIN]http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7440/unledtev.png


The Attempt at a Solution



There are like 2 other problems in my book similar to this one.

I thought problems posed in this manner are already in standard form. They say

"max [obj f]

s.t.

constraints, for variables positive "
 
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flyingpig said:

Homework Statement



[PLAIN]http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7440/unledtev.png


The Attempt at a Solution



There are like 2 other problems in my book similar to this one.

I thought problems posed in this manner are already in standard form. They say

"max [obj f]

s.t.

constraints, for variables positive "

I hope your book does not say that variables are positive, for often they are not: they can be ZERO as well, and often are in an optimal solution. So, you should say non-negative, not positive. Problems with positive variables may not have any optimal solutions; the simplest example of this is min x, subject to x > 0.

Does the problem above satisfy ALL the requirements of a "standard" problem?

RGV
 
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Oh I have change [tex]3x_1 +3x_2 + x_3 \geq 2[/tex] to [tex]-3x_1 - 3x_2 - x_3 \leq -2[/tex]

And for [tex]x_1 + 2x_3 = -4[/tex], I have to change it to [tex]-x_1 - 2x_3 \leq 4[/tex] because x_1 and x_3 are nonnegative ?

Also what does u.r.s. mean...? Because I just assumed it meant it can be positive..

EDIT:

[tex]x_1 + 2x_3 = -4[/tex]

Could also say

[tex]x_1 + 2x_3 \geq -4[/tex] and [tex]x_1 + 2x_3 \leq -4[/tex]

Then

[tex]-x_1 -2x_3 \leq 4[/tex] and [tex]x_1 + 2x_3 \leq -4[/tex] would make the requirements for constraints in standard form.
 
flyingpig said:
Oh I have change [tex]3x_1 +3x_2 + x_3 \geq 2[/tex] to [tex]-3x_1 - 3x_2 - x_3 \leq -2[/tex]

And for [tex]x_1 + 2x_3 = -4[/tex], I have to change it to [tex]-x_1 - 2x_3 \leq 4[/tex] because x_1 and x_3 are nonnegative ?

Also what does u.r.s. mean...? Because I just assumed it meant it can be positive..

EDIT:

[tex]x_1 + 2x_3 = -4[/tex]

Could also say

[tex]x_1 + 2x_3 \geq -4[/tex] and [tex]x_1 + 2x_3 \leq -4[/tex]

Then

[tex]-x_1 -2x_3 \leq 4[/tex] and [tex]x_1 + 2x_3 \leq -4[/tex] would make the requirements for constraints in standard form.

Different authors have different definitions of "standard form". For example, the standard form in https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/angelia/www/ge330fall09_stform4.pdf is max or min cx, st AX = b, x >= 0 (obtained by using slack or surplus variables if necessary). In others sources the standard is a minimization, in some others a maximization, in some others the constraints must all be <=, etc. Myself, I prefer the form max cx st Ax=b, x >= 0 form, because that is the form you need to get started on the simplex method. However, *ALL sources agree that 'x >= 0' is part of the standard*.

In your problem, x_3 urs means, I think, that x_3 is unrestricted in sign; that is, x_3 can be < 0 or >= 0. That makes your problem non-standard, and you are asked to do something to it to put it into standard form. More than that I cannot say without solving your problem for you.

RGV
 
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Ray Vickson said:
Different authors have different definitions of "standard form". For example, the standard form in https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/angelia/www/ge330fall09_stform4.pdf is max or min cx, st AX = b, x >= 0 (obtained by using slack or surplus variables if necessary). In others sources the standard is a minimization, in some others a maximization, in some others the constraints must all be <=, etc. Myself, I prefer the form max cx st Ax=b, x >= 0 form, because that is the form you need to get started on the simplex method. However, *ALL sources agree that 'x >= 0' is part of the standard*.

It does say (max) in parenthesis, let's go with mine!

In your problem, x_3 urs means, I think, that x_3 is unrestricted in sign; that is, x_3 can be < 0 or >= 0. That makes your problem non-standard, and you are asked to do something to it to put it into standard form. More than that I cannot say without solving your problem for you.

RGV

Oh that's easy, I can just make it into positive as I have and erase my new inequality!

Thanks
 
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