Chapter 3. Linear Programming: Computer Solution and Sensitivity Analysis

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Chapter 2 demonstrated how a linear programming model is formulated and how a solution can be derived from a graph of the model. Graphing can provide valuable insight into linear programming and linear programming solutions in general. However, the fact that this solution method is limited to problems with only two decision variables restricts its usefulness as a general solution technique.

In this chapter we will show how linear programming problems can be solved using several personal computer software packages. We will also describe how to use a computer solution result to experiment with a linear programming model to see what effect parameter changes have on the optimal solution, referred to as sensitivity analysis .