An Outer Approximation Algorithm for Generating All Efficient Extreme Points in the Outcome Set of a Multiple Objective Linear Programming Problem

Various difficulties have been encountered in using decision set-based vector maximization methods to solve a multiple objective linear programming problem (MOLP). Motivated by these difficulties, some researchers in recent years have suggested that outcome set-based approaches should instead be developed and used to solve problem (MOLP). In this article, we present a finite algorithm, called the Outer Approximation Algorithm, for generating the set of all efficient extreme points in the outcome set of problem (MOLP). To our knowledge, the Outer Approximation Algorithm is the first algorithm capable of generating this set. As a by-product, the algorithm also generates the weakly efficient outcome set of problem (MOLP). Because it works in the outcome set rather than in the decision set of problem (MOLP), the Outer Approximation Algorithm has several advantages over decision set-based algorithms. It is also relatively easy to implement. Preliminary computational results for a set of randomly-generated problems are reported. These results tangibly demonstrate the usefulness of using the outcome set approach of the Outer Approximation Algorithm instead of a decision set-based approach. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Further Analysis of an Outcome Set-Based Algorithm for Multiple-Objective Linear Programming

Various difficulties have been encountered in using decision set-based vector maximization methods to solve a multiple-objective linear programming problem (MOLP). Motivated by these difficulties, Benson recently developed a finite, outer-approximation algorithm for generating the set of all efficient extreme points in the outcome set, rather than in the decision set, of problem (MOLP). In this article, we show that the Benson algorithm also generates the set of all weakly efficient points in the outcome set of problem (MOLP). As a result, the usefulness of the algorithm as a decision aid in multiple objective linear programming is further enhanced.     

Finding a representative nondominated set for multi-objective mixed integer programs

In this paper, we develop algorithms to find small representative sets of nondominated points that are well spread over the nondominated frontiers for multi-objective mixed integer programs. We evaluate the quality of representations of the sets by a Tchebycheff distance-based coverage gap measure. The first algorithm aims to substantially improve the computational efficiency of an existing algorithm that is designed to continue generating new points until the decision maker (DM) finds the generated set satisfactory. The algorithm improves the coverage gap value in each iteration by including the worst represented point into the set. The second algorithm, on the other hand, guarantees to achieve a desired coverage gap value imposed by the DM at the outset. In generating a new point, the algorithm constructs territories around the previously generated points that are inadmissible for the new point based on the desired coverage gap value. The third algorithm brings a holistic approach considering the solution space and the number of representative points that will be generated together. The algorithm first approximates the nondominated set by a hypersurface and uses it to plan the locations of the representative points. We conduct computational experiments on randomly generated instances of multi-objective knapsack, assignment, and mixed integer knapsack problems and show that the algorithms work well.     

On degeneracy and collapsing in the construction of the set of objective values in a multiple objective linear program

In this paper an algorithm is developed to generate all nondominated extreme points and edges of the set of objective values of a multiple objective linear program. The approach uses simplex tableaux but avoids generating unnecessary extreme points or bases of extreme points. The procedure is based on, and improves, an algorithm Dauer and Liu developed for this problem. Essential to this approach is the work of Gal and Kruse on the neighborhood problem of determining all extreme points of a convex polytope that are adjacent to a given (degenerate) extreme point of the set. The algorithm will incorporate Gal's degeneracy graph approach to the neighborhood problem with Dauer's objective space analysis of multiple objective linear programs.     

An algorithm for optimizing over the weakly-efficient set

In this paper a bisecting search algorithm is developed for solving the problem (P) of optimizing a linear function over the set of weakly-efficient solutions of a multiple objective linear program. We show that problem (P) can arise in a variety of practical situations. The algorithm for solving problem (P) is guaranteed to find an optimal or approximately-optimal solution for the problem in a finite number of steps. Using a Fortran computer code called Conmin as an aid, we have solved ten test problems using our proposed algorithm. This preliminary computational experience seems to indicate that the algorithm is quite practical for relatively small problems.     

Bounding MOLP objective functions: effect on efficient set size

In multiple objective linear programming (MOLP) problems the extraction of all the efficient extreme points becomes problematic as the size of the problem increases. One of the suggested actions, in order to keep the size of the efficient set to manageable limits, is the use of bounds on the values of the objective functions by the decision maker. The unacceptable efficient solutions are screened out from further investigation and the size of the efficient set is reduced. Although the bounding of the objective functions is widely used in practice, the effect of this action on the size of the efficient set has not been investigated. In this paper, we study the effect of individual and simultaneous bounding of the objective functions on the number of the generated efficient points. In order to estimate the underlying relationships, a computational experiment is designed, in which randomly generated multiple objective linear programming problems of various sizes are systematically examined.     

Application of fuzzy soft set in decision making problems based on grey theory

There are many uncertain problems in practical production and life which need decisions made with soft sets and fuzzy soft sets. However, the basis of evaluation of the decision method is single and simple, the same decision problem can obtain different results from using a different evaluation basis. In this paper, in order to obtain the right result, we discuss fuzzy soft set decision problems. A new algorithm based on grey relational analysis is presented. The evaluation bases of the new algorithm are multiple. There is more information in a decision result based on multiple evaluation bases, which is more easily accepted and logical to one’s thinking. For the two cases examined, the results show that the new algorithm is efficient for solving decision problems.     

Application of fuzzy soft set in decision making problems based on grey theory

There are many uncertain problems in practical production and life which need decisions made with soft sets and fuzzy soft sets. However, the basis of evaluation of the decision method is single and simple, the same decision problem can obtain different results from using a different evaluation basis. In this paper, in order to obtain the right result, we discuss fuzzy soft set decision problems. A new algorithm based on grey relational analysis is presented. The evaluation bases of the new algorithm are multiple. There is more information in a decision result based on multiple evaluation bases, which is more easily accepted and logical to one’s thinking. For the two cases examined, the results show that the new algorithm is efficient for solving decision problems.     

Epsilon Dominance and Constraint Partitioning in Multiple Objective Problems

In this paper we consider efficient sets of multiple objective problems, in which the feasible action set is the intersection of two other sets, and where one of these sets has a special structure, such as an assignment or transportation structure. The objective is to find the efficient set of the special structure set, and its intersection with the other set, and to examine how good an approximation this set is to the desired efficient set. The approximation set is called an -efficient solution set. Some theoretical partition results are given for a special constraint structure with upper bounds on the objective function levels. For the case of 0-efficient solution sets, and finite explicit sets, a computational cost analysis of two computational sequences is given. We also consider two other 0-efficient solution set cases. Then -efficiency is considered for linear problems. Finally, the approach is illustrated by a special multiple objective transportation problem.     

Global maximization of UTA functions in multi-objective optimization

The UTAs (UTilité Additives) type methods for constructing nondecreasing additive utility functions were first proposed by Jacquet-Lagrèze and Siskos in 1982 for handling decision problems of multicriteria ranking. In this article, by UTA functions, we mean functions which are constructed by the UTA type methods. Our purpose is to propose an algorithm for globally maximizing UTA functions of a class of linear/convex multiple objective programming problems. The algorithm is established based on a branch and bound scheme, in which the branching procedure is performed by a so-called I-rectangular bisection in the objective (outcome) space, and the bounding procedure by some convex or linear programs. Preliminary computational experiments show that this algorithm can work well for the case where the number of objective functions in the multiple objective optimization problem under consideration is much smaller than the number of variables.     

An outcome space algorithm for optimization over the weakly efficient set of a multiple objective nonlinear programming problem

This article presents for the first time an algorithm specifically designed for globally minimizing a finite, convex function over the weakly efficient set of a multiple objective nonlinear programming problem (V1) that has both nonlinear objective functions and a convex, nonpolyhedral feasible region. The algorithm uses a branch and bound search in the outcome space of problem (V1), rather than in the decision space of the problem, to find a global optimal solution. Since the dimension of the outcome space is usually much smaller than the dimension of the decision space, often by one or more orders of magnitude, this approach can be expected to considerably shorten the search. In addition, the algorithm can be easily modified to obtain an approximate global optimal weakly efficient solution after a finite number of iterations. Furthermore, all of the subproblems that the algorithm must solve can be easily solved, since they are all convex programming problems. The key, and sometimes quite interesting, convergence properties of the algorithm are proven, and an example problem is solved.     

Efficient solution generation for multiple objective linear programming based on extreme ray generation method

In this paper we consider solution generation method for multiple objective linear programming problems. The set of efficient or Pareto optimal solutions for the problems can be regarded as global information in multiple objective decision making situation. In the past three decades as solution generation techniques various conventional algorithms based on simplex-like approach with heavy computational burden were developed. Therefore, the development of novel and useful directions in efficient solution generation method have been desired. The purpose of this paper is to develop theoretical results and computational techniques of the efficient solution generation method based on extreme ray generation method that sequentially generates efficient points and rays by adding inequality constraints of the polyhedral feasible region.     

Hybrid Approach for Solving Multiple-Objective Linear Programs in Outcome Space

Various difficulties arise in using decision set-based vector maximization methods to solve a multiple-objective linear programming problem (MOLP). Motivated by these difficulties, some researchers in recent years have begun to develop tools for analyzing and solving problem (MOLP) in outcome space, rather than in decision space. In this article, we present and validate a new hybrid vector maximization approach for solving problem (MOLP) in outcome space. The approach systematically integrates a simplicial partitioning technique into an outer approximation procedure to yield an algorithm that generates the set of all efficient extreme points in the outcome set of problem (MOLP) in a finite number of iterations. Some key potential practical and computational advantages of the approach are indicated.     

A rough set approach to intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making

The soft set theory, originally proposed by Molodtsov, can be used as a general mathematical tool for dealing with uncertainty. Since its appearance, there has been some progress concerning practical applications of soft set theory, especially the use of soft sets in decision making. The intuitionistic fuzzy soft set is a combination of an intuitionistic fuzzy set and a soft set. The rough set theory is a powerful tool for dealing with uncertainty, granuality and incompleteness of knowledge in information systems. Using rough set theory, this paper proposes a novel approach to intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making problems. Firstly, by employing an intuitionistic fuzzy relation and a threshold value pair, we define a new rough set model and examine some fundamental properties of this rough set model. Then the concepts of approximate precision and rough degree are given and some basic properties are discussed. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between intuitionistic fuzzy soft sets and intuitionistic fuzzy relations and present a rough set approach to intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making. Finally, an illustrative example is employed to show the validity of this rough set approach in intuitionistic fuzzy soft set based decision making problems.     

An all-linear programming relaxation algorithm for optimizing over the efficient set

The problem (P) of optimizing a linear function over the efficient set of a multiple objective linear program has many important applications in multiple criteria decision making. Since the efficient set is in general a nonconvex set, problem (P) can be classified as a global optimization problem. Perhaps due to its inherent difficulty, it appears that no precisely-delineated implementable algorithm exists for solving problem (P) globally. In this paper a relaxation algorithm is presented for finding a globally optimal solution for problem (P). The algorithm finds an exact optimal solution to the problem after a finite number of iterations. A detailed discussion is included of how to implement the algorithm using only linear programming methods. Convergence of the algorithm is proven, and a sample problem is solved.Research supported by a grant from the College of Business Administration, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A.     

Solving Bilevel Linear Programs Using Multiple Objective Linear Programming

We present an algorithm for solving bilevel linear programs that uses simplex pivots on an expanded tableau. The algorithm uses the relationship between multiple objective linear programs and bilevel linear programs along with results for minimizing a linear objective over the efficient set for a multiple objective problem. Results in multiple objective programming needed are presented. We report computational experience demonstrating that this approach is more effective than a standard branch-and-bound algorithm when the number of leader variables is small.     

求解多层线性规划的模糊规划法

本文用模糊集理论中的隶属函数描述多层线性规划的各层目标,在第一层给定最小满意水平下,通过求解相应层次的模糊规划来确定各层的最小满意度,从而最终得到问题的一个满意解。提出的方法只需求解一系列线性规划问题,具有较好的计算复杂性和可行性,最后的算例进一步验证了方法的有效性。     

The range of the efficient frontier in multiple objective linear programming

Because a rational decision maker should only select an efficient alternative in multiple criterion decision problems, the efficient frontier defined as the set of all efficient alternatives has become a central solution concept in multiple objective linear programming. Normally this set reduces the set of available alternatives of the underlying problem. There are several methods, mainly based on the simplex method, for computing the efficient frontier. This paper presents a quite different approach which uses a nonlinear parametric program, solved by Wolfe's algorithm, to determine the range of the efficient frontier.     

Adjacency based method for generating maximal efficient faces in multiobjective linear programming

Multiobjective linear optimization problems (MOLPs) arise when several linear objective functions have to be optimized over a convex polyhedron. In this paper, we propose a new method for generating the entire efficient set for MOLPs in the outcome space. This method is based on the concept of adjacencies between efficient extreme points. It uses a local exploration approach to generate simultaneously efficient extreme points and maximal efficient faces. We therefore define an efficient face as the combination of adjacent efficient extreme points that define its border. We propose to use an iterative simplex pivoting algorithm to find adjacent efficient extreme points. Concurrently, maximal efficient faces are generated by testing relative interior points. The proposed method is constructive such that each extreme point, while searching for incident faces, can transmit some local informations to its adjacent efficient extreme points in order to complete the faces’ construction. The performance of our method is reported and the computational results based on randomly generated MOLPs are discussed.