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Spreadsheet Modeling
& Decision Analysis
A Practical Introduction to Management Science
5th edition
Cliff T. Ragsdale
Modeling and Solving LP Problems in a Spreadsheet
Chapter 3
Introduction
- Solving LP problems graphically is only possible when there are two decision variables
- Few real-world LP have only two decision variables
- Fortunately, we can now use spreadsheets to solve LP problems
Spreadsheet Solvers
- The company that makes the Solver in Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and Quattro Pro is Frontline Systems, Inc.
Check out their web site:
- Other packages for solving MP problems:
AMPL LINDO
CPLEX MPSX
The Steps in Implementing an LP Model in a Spreadsheet
1. Organize the data for the model on the spreadsheet.
2. Reserve separate cells in the spreadsheet for each decision variable in the model.
3. Create a formula in a cell in the spreadsheet that corresponds to the objective function.
4. For each constraint, create a formula in a separate cell in the spreadsheet that corresponds to the left-hand side (LHS) of the constraint.
Let’s Implement a Model for the
Blue Ridge Hot Tubs Example...
MAX: 350X1 + 300X2 } profit
S.T.: 1X1 + 1X2 <= 200 } pumps
9X1 + 6X2 <= 1566 } labor
12X1 + 16X2 <= 2880 } tubing
X1, X2 >= 0 } nonnegativity
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-1.xls
How Solver Views the Model
- Target cell - the cell in the spreadsheet that represents the objective function
- Changing cells - the cells in the spreadsheet representing the decision variables
- Constraint cells - the cells in the spreadsheet representing the LHS formulas on the constraints
Let’s go back to Excel and see how Solver works...
Goals For Spreadsheet Design
- Communication - A spreadsheet's primary business purpose is communicating information to managers.
- Reliability - The output a spreadsheet generates should be correct and consistent.
- Auditability - A manager should be able to retrace the steps followed to generate the different outputs from the model in order to understand and verify results.
- Modifiability - A well-designed spreadsheet should be easy to change or enhance in order to meet dynamic user requirements.
Spreadsheet Design Guidelines - I
- Organize the data, then build the model around the data.
- Do not embed numeric constants in formulas.
- Things which are logically related should be physically related.
- Use formulas that can be copied.
- Column/rows totals should be close to the columns/rows being totaled.
Spreadsheet Design Guidelines - II
- The English-reading eye scans left to right, top to bottom.
- Use color, shading, borders and protection to distinguish changeable parameters from other model elements.
- Use text boxes and cell notes to document various elements of the model.
Make vs. Buy Decisions:
The Electro-Poly Corporation
- Electro-Poly is a leading maker of slip-rings.
- A $750,000 order has just been received.
- The company has 10,000 hours of wiring capacity and 5,000 hours of harnessing capacity.
Defining the Decision Variables
M1 = Number of model 1 slip rings to make in-house
M2 = Number of model 2 slip rings to make in-house
M3 = Number of model 3 slip rings to make in-house
B1 = Number of model 1 slip rings to buy from competitor
B2 = Number of model 2 slip rings to buy from competitor
B3 = Number of model 3 slip rings to buy from competitor
Defining the Objective Function
Minimize the total cost of filling the order.
MIN: 50M1+ 83M2+ 130M3+ 61B1+ 97B2+ 145B3
Defining the Constraints
- Demand Constraints
M1 + B1 = 3,000 } model 1
M2 + B2 = 2,000 } model 2
M3 + B3 = 900 } model 3
- Resource Constraints
2M1 + 1.5M2 + 3M3 <= 10,000 } wiring
1M1 + 2.0M2 + 1M3 <= 5,000 } harnessing
- Nonnegativity Conditions
M1, M2, M3, B1, B2, B3 >= 0
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-17.xls
An Investment Problem:
Retirement Planning Services, Inc.
- A client wishes to invest $750,000 in the following bonds.
Investment Restrictions
- No more than 25% can be invested in any single company.
- At least 50% should be invested in long-term bonds (maturing in 10+ years).
- No more than 35% can be invested in DynaStar, Eagle Vision, and OptiPro.
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Defining the Decision Variables
X1 = amount of money to invest in Acme Chemical
X2 = amount of money to invest in DynaStar
X3 = amount of money to invest in Eagle Vision
X4 = amount of money to invest in MicroModeling
X5 = amount of money to invest in OptiPro
X6 = amount of money to invest in Sabre Systems
Defining the Objective Function
Maximize the total
annual investment return:
MAX: .0865X1+ .095X2+ .10X3+ .0875X4+ .0925X5+ .09X6
Defining the Constraints
- Total amount is invested
X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 + X5 + X6 = 750,000
- No more than 25% in any one investment
Xi <= 187,500, for all i
- 50% long term investment restriction.
X1 + X2 + X4 + X6 >= 375,000
- 35% Restriction on DynaStar, Eagle Vision, and OptiPro.
X2 + X3 + X5 <= 262,500
- Nonnegativity conditions
Xi >= 0 for all i
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-20.xls
A Transportation Problem: Tropicsun
Defining the Decision Variables
Xij = # of bushels shipped from node i to node j
Specifically, the nine decision variables are:
X14 = # of bushels shipped from Mt. Dora (node 1) to Ocala (node 4)
X15 = # of bushels shipped from Mt. Dora (node 1) to Orlando (node 5)
X16 = # of bushels shipped from Mt. Dora (node 1) to Leesburg (node 6)
X24 = # of bushels shipped from Eustis (node 2) to Ocala (node 4)
X25 = # of bushels shipped from Eustis (node 2) to Orlando (node 5)
X26 = # of bushels shipped from Eustis (node 2) to Leesburg (node 6)
X34 = # of bushels shipped from Clermont (node 3) to Ocala (node 4)
X35 = # of bushels shipped from Clermont (node 3) to Orlando (node 5)
X36 = # of bushels shipped from Clermont (node 3) to Leesburg (node 6)
Defining the Objective Function
Minimize the total number of bushel-miles.
MIN: 21X14 + 50X15 + 40X16 +
35X24 + 30X25 + 22X26 +
55X34 + 20X35 + 25X36
Defining the Constraints
- Capacity constraints
X14 + X24 + X34 <= 200,000 } Ocala
X15 + X25 + X35 <= 600,000 } Orlando
X16 + X26 + X36 <= 225,000 } Leesburg
- Supply constraints
X14 + X15 + X16 = 275,000 } Mt. Dora
X24 + X25 + X26 = 400,000 } Eustis
X34 + X35 + X36 = 300,000 } Clermont
- Nonnegativity conditions
Xij >= 0 for all i and j
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-24.xls
A Blending Problem:
The Agri-Pro Company
- Agri-Pro has received an order for 8,000 pounds of chicken feed to be mixed from the following feeds.
- The order must contain at least 20% corn, 15% grain, and 15% minerals.
Defining the Decision Variables
X1 = pounds of feed 1 to use in the mix
X2 = pounds of feed 2 to use in the mix
X3 = pounds of feed 3 to use in the mix
X4 = pounds of feed 4 to use in the mix
Defining the Objective Function
Minimize the total cost of filling the order.
MIN: 0.25X1 + 0.30X2 + 0.32X3 + 0.15X4
Defining the Constraints
- Produce 8,000 pounds of feed
X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 = 8,000
- Mix consists of at least 20% corn
(0.3X1 + 0.5X2 + 0.2X3 + 0.1X4)/8000 >= 0.2
- Mix consists of at least 15% grain
(0.1X1 + 0.3X2 + 0.15X3 + 0.1X4)/8000 >= 0.15
- Mix consists of at least 15% minerals
(0.2X1 + 0.2X2 + 0.2X3 + 0.3X4)/8000 >= 0.15
- Nonnegativity conditions
X1, X2, X3, X4 >= 0
A Comment About Scaling
- Notice the coefficient for X2 in the ‘corn’ constraint is 0.05/8000 = 0.00000625
- As Solver runs, intermediate calculations are made that make coefficients larger or smaller.
- Storage problems may force the computer to use approximations of the actual numbers.
- Such ‘scaling’ problems sometimes prevents Solver from being able to solve the problem accurately.
- Most problems can be formulated in a way to minimize scaling errors...
Re-Defining the Decision Variables
X1 = thousands of pounds of feed 1 to use in the mix
X2 = thousands of pounds of feed 2 to use in the mix
X3 = thousands of pounds of feed 3 to use in the mix
X4 = thousands of pounds of feed 4 to use in the mix
Re-Defining the
Objective Function
Minimize the total cost of filling the order.
MIN: 250X1 + 300X2 + 320X3 + 150X4
Re-Defining the Constraints
- Produce 8,000 pounds of feed
X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 = 8
- Mix consists of at least 20% corn
(0.3X1 + 0.5X2 + 0.2X3 + 0.1X4)/8 >= 0.2
- Mix consists of at least 15% grain
(0.1X1 + 0.3X2 + 0.15X3 + 0.1X4)/8 >= 0.15
- Mix consists of at least 15% minerals
(0.2X1 + 0.2X2 + 0.2X3 + 0.3X4)/8 >= 0.15
- Nonnegativity conditions
X1, X2, X3, X4 >= 0
Scaling: Before and After
- Before:
Largest constraint coefficient was 8,000
Smallest constraint coefficient was
0.05/8 = 0.00000625.
- After:
Largest constraint coefficient is 8
Smallest constraint coefficient is
0.05/8 = 0.00625.
- The problem is now more evenly scaled!
The Assume Linear Model Option
- The Solver Options dialog box has an option labeled “Assume Linear Model”.
- This option makes Solver perform some tests to verify that your model is in fact linear.
- These test are not 100% accurate & may fail as a result of a poorly scaled model.
- If Solver tells you a model isn’t linear when you know it is, try solving it again. If that doesn’t work, try re-scaling your model.
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-28.xls
A Production Planning Problem:
The Upton Corporation
- Upton is planning the production of their heavy-duty air compressors for the next 6 months.
Beginning inventory = 2,750 units
Safety stock = 1,500 units
Unit carrying cost = 1.5% of unit production cost
Maximum warehouse capacity = 6,000 units
Defining the Decision Variables
Pi = number of units to produce in month i, i=1 to 6
Bi = beginning inventory month i, i=1 to 6
Defining the Objective Function
Minimize the total cost production
& inventory costs.
MIN: 240P1+250P2+265P3+285P4+280P5+260P6
+ 3.6(B1+B2)/2 + 3.75(B2+B3)/2 + 3.98(B3+B4)/2
+ 4.28(B4+B5)/2 + 4.20(B5+ B6)/2 + 3.9(B6+B7)/2
Note: The beginning inventory in any month is the same as the ending inventory in the previous month.
Defining the Constraints - I
- Production levels
2,000 <= P1 <= 4,000 } month 1
1,750 <= P2 <= 3,500 } month 2
2,000 <= P3 <= 4,000 } month 3
2,250 <= P4 <= 4,500 } month 4
2,000 <= P5 <= 4,000 } month 5
1,750 <= P6 <= 3,500 } month 6
Defining the Constraints - II
- Ending Inventory (EI = BI + P - D)
1,500 < B1 + P1 - 1,000 < 6,000 } month 1
1,500 < B2 + P2 - 4,500 < 6,000 } month 2
1,500 < B3 + P3 - 6,000 < 6,000 } month 3
1,500 < B4 + P4 - 5,500 < 6,000 } month 4
1,500 < B5 + P5 - 3,500 < 6,000 } month 5
1,500 < B6 + P6 - 4,000 < 6,000 } month 6
Defining the Constraints - III
- Beginning Balances
B1 = 2750
B2 = B1 + P1 - 1,000
B3 = B2 + P2 - 4,500
B4 = B3 + P3 - 6,000
B5 = B4 + P4 - 5,500
B6 = B5 + P5 - 3,500
B7 = B6 + P6 - 4,000
Notice that the Bi can be computed directly from the Pi. Therefore, only the Pi need to be identified as changing cells.
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-31.xls
A Multi-Period Cash Flow Problem:
The Taco-Viva Sinking Fund - I
- Taco-Viva needs a sinking fund to pay $800,000 in building costs for a new restaurant in the next 6 months.
- Payments of $250,000 are due at the end of months 2 and 4, and a final payment of $300,000 is due at the end of month 6.
- The following investments may be used.
Summary of Possible Cash Flows
Defining the Decision Variables
Ai = amount (in $1,000s) placed in investment A at the beginning of month i=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Bi = amount (in $1,000s) placed in investment B at the beginning of month i=1, 3, 5
Ci = amount (in $1,000s) placed in investment C at the beginning of month i=1, 4
Di = amount (in $1,000s) placed in investment D at the beginning of month i=1
Defining the Objective Function
Minimize the total cash invested in month 1.
MIN: A1 + B1 + C1 + D1
Defining the Constraints
- Cash Flow Constraints
1.018A1 – 1A2 = 0 } month 2
1.035B1 + 1.018A2 – 1A3 – 1B3 = 250 } month 3
1.058C1 + 1.018A3 – 1A4 – 1C4 = 0 } month 4
1.035B3 + 1.018A4 – 1A5 – 1B5 = 250 } month 5
1.018A5 –1A6 = 0 } month 6
1.11D1 + 1.058C4 + 1.035B5 + 1.018A6 = 300 } month 7
- Nonnegativity Conditions
Ai, Bi, Ci, Di >= 0, for all i
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-35.xls
Risk Management:
The Taco-Viva Sinking Fund - II
- Assume the CFO has assigned the following risk ratings to each investment on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 = max risk)
Investment Risk Rating
A 1
B 3
C 8
D 6
- The CFO wants the weighted average risk to not exceed 5.
Defining the Constraints
- Risk Constraints
An Alternate Version of the Risk Constraints
- Equivalent Risk Constraints
-4A1 – 2B1 + 3C1 + 1D1 < 0 } month 1
-2B1 + 3C1 + 1D1 – 4A2 < 0 } month 2
3C1 + 1D1 – 4A3 – 2B3 < 0 } month 3
1D1 – 2B3 – 4A4 + 3C4 < 0 } month 4
1D1 + 3C4 – 4A5 – 2B5 < 0 } month 5
1D1 + 3C4 – 2B5 – 4A6 < 0 } month 6
Note that each coefficient is equal to the risk factor for the investment minus 5 (the max. allowable weighted average risk).
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-38.xls
Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA):
Steak & Burger
- Steak & Burger needs to evaluate the performance (efficiency) of 12 units.
- Outputs for each unit (Oij) include measures of: Profit, Customer Satisfaction, and Cleanliness
- Inputs for each unit (Iij) include: Labor Hours, and Operating Costs
- The “Efficiency” of unit i is defined as follows:
Weighted sum of unit i’s outputs
Weighted sum of unit i’s inputs
=
Defining the Decision Variables
wj = weight assigned to output j
vj = weight assigned to input j
A separate LP is solved for each unit, allowing each unit to select the best possible weights for itself.
Defining the Objective Function
Maximize the weighted output for unit i :
Defining the Constraints
- Efficiency cannot exceed 100% for any unit
- Sum of weighted inputs for unit i must equal 1
- Nonnegativity Conditions
wj, vj >= 0, for all j
Important Point
When using DEA, output variables should be expressed on a scale where “more is better” and input variables should be expressed on a scale where “less is better”.
Implementing the Model
See file Fig3-41.xls
Analyzing The Solution
See file Fig3-48.xls
End of Chapter 3
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