Optimization Modeling With Spreadsheets

An accessible introduction to optimization analysis using spreadsheets Updated and revised, Optimization Modeling with Spreadsheets, Third Edition emphasizes model building skills in optimization analysis. By emphasizing both spreadsheet modeling and optimization tools in the freely available Microsoft® Office Excel® Solver, the book illustrates how to find solutions to real-world optimization problems without needing additional specialized software. The Third Edition includes many practical applications of optimization models as well as a systematic framework that illuminates the common structures found in many successful models. With focused coverage on linear programming, nonlinear programming, integer programming, and heuristic programming, Optimization Modeling with Spreadsheets, Third Edition features: An emphasis on model building using Excel Solver as well as appendices with additional instructions on more advanced packages such as Analytic Solver Platform and OpenSolver Additional space devoted to formulation principles and model building as opposed to algorithms New end-of-chapter homework exercises specifically for novice model builders Presentation of the Sensitivity Toolkit for sensitivity analysis with Excel Solver Classification of problem types to help readers see the broader possibilities for application Specific chapters devoted to network models and data envelopment analysis A companion website with interactive spreadsheets and supplementary homework exercises for additional practice Optimization Modeling with Spreadsheets, Third Edition is an excellent textbook for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level courses that include deterministic models, optimization, spreadsheet modeling, quantitative methods, engineering management, engineering modeling, operations research, and management science. The book is an ideal reference for readers wishing to advance their knowledge of Excel and modeling and is also a useful guide for MBA students and modeling practitioners in business and non-profit sectors interested in spreadsheet optimization. Thoroughly Updated To Reflect The Latest Topical And Technical Advances In The Field, Optimization Modeling With Spreadsheets, Third Edition Continues To Focus On Solving Real-world Optimization Problems Through The Creation Of Mathematical Models And The Use Of Spreadsheets For Analysis. Developed And Extensively Classroom-tested, The Book Features A Systematic Approach That Equips Readers With The Skills Needed To Apply Optimization Tools Effectively Without The Need To Rely On Specialized Algorithms. This Introductory Book On Optimization (mathematical Programming) Includes Coverage On Linear Programming, Nonlinear Programming, Integer Programming, And Heuristic Programming, With An Emphasis On Model Building Using Excel's Freely Available Solver. The Focus On Model Building (rather Than Algorithms) Is One Feature That Makes This Book Distinctive As Most Books Devote More Space To Algorithmic Details Than To Formulation Principles. These Days, However, It Is Not Necessary To Know A Great Deal About Algorithms In Order To Apply Optimization Tools, Especially When Relying On The Spreadsheet As A Solution Platform. This Emphasis On Spreadsheets Is Another Feature That Makes This Book Distinctive. Few Books Devoted To Optimization Pay Much Attention To Spreadsheet Implementation Of Optimization Principles, And Most Books That Emphasize Model Building Ignore Spreadsheets Entirely. To Address The Capabilities Of Sensitivity Analysis, The Use Of Excel's Sensitivity Toolkit Is Employed. In Addition, The Book's Past Use Of The Risk Solver Platform For Education (rspe) Is Not Completely Abandoned As The Author Does Include Instructions On The Use Of Rspe For Solving Optimization Problems Within An Appendix--,this Book Focuses On Solving Real-world Optimization Problems Through The Creation Of Mathematical Models And The Use Of Spreadsheets For Analysis. Developed And Extensively Classroom-tested, The Book Features A Systematic Approach That Equips Readers With The Skills Needed To Apply Optimization Tools Effectively Without The Need To Rely On Specialized Algorithms. This Introductory Book On Optimization (mathematical Programming) Includes Coverage On Linear Programming, Nonlinear Programming, Integer Programming, And Heuristic Programming, With An Emphasis On Model Building Using Excel's Freely Available Solver-- "Thoroughly updated to reflect the latest topical and technical advances in the field, Optimization Modeling with Spreadsheets, Third Edition continues to focus on solving real-world optimization problems through the creation of mathematical models and the use of spreadsheets for analysis. Developed and extensively classroom-tested, the book features a systematic approach that equips readers with the skills needed to apply optimization tools effectively without the need to rely on specialized algorithms. This introductory book on optimization (mathematical programming) includes coverage on linear programming, nonlinear programming, integer programming, and heuristic programming, with an emphasis on model building using Excel's freely available Solver. The focus on model building (rather than algorithms) is one feature that makes this book distinctive as most books devote more space to algorithmic details than to formulation principles. These days, however, it is not necessary to know a great deal about algorithms in order to apply optimization tools, especially when relying on the spreadsheet as a solution platform. This emphasis on spreadsheets is another feature that makes this book distinctive. Few books devoted to optimization pay much attention to spreadsheet implementation of optimization principles, and most books that emphasize model building ignore spreadsheets entirely. To address the capabilities of sensitivity analysis, the use of Excel's Sensitivity Toolkit is employed. In addition, the book's past use of the Risk Solver Platform for Education (RSPE) is not completely abandoned as the author does include instructions on the use of RSPE for solving optimization problems within an appendix"-- Provided by publisher "This book focuses on solving real-world optimization problems through the creation of mathematical models and the use of spreadsheets for analysis. Developed and extensively classroom-tested, the book features a systematic approach that equips readers with the skills needed to apply optimization tools effectively without the need to rely on specialized algorithms. This introductory book on optimization (mathematical programming) includes coverage on linear programming, nonlinear programming, integer programming, and heuristic programming, with an emphasis on model building using Excel's freely available Solver"-- Provided by publisher