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Chapter 5

Sensitivity Analysis: An Applied


Approach
to accompany
Introduction to Mathematical Programming: Operations Research, Volume 1
4th edition, by Wayne L. Winston and Munirpallam Venkataramanan

Presentation: H. Sarper

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.1 – A Graphical Approach to Sensitivity Analysis

Sensitivity analysis is concerned with how changes in an LP’s


parameters affect the optimal solution.

Reconsider the max z = 3x1 + 2x2


Giapetto problem
from Chapter 3 2 x1 + x2 ≤ 100 (finishing constraint)
shown to the right: x1 + x2 ≤ 80 (carpentry constraint)
x1 ≤ 40 (demand constraint)
x1,x2 ≥ 0 (sign restriction)

Where:
x1 = number of soldiers produced each week
x2 = number of trains produced each week.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.1 – A Graphical Approach to Sensitivity Analysis
X2
The optimal solution for

100
this LP was z = 180, x1 = finishing constraint
Slope = -2
20, x2 = 60 (point B in A Feasible Region

80
the figure to the right)
demand constraint
and it has x1, x2, and s3
(the slack variable for Isoprofit line z = 120

60
B Slope = -3/2
the demand constraint.
D
How would changes in
40
carpentry constraint
Slope = -1
the problem’s objective
function coefficients or
20

C
right-hand side values
change this optimal
solution? 10 20 40 50 60 80 X1

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.1 – A Graphical Approach to Sensitivity Analysis

Graphical analysis of the effect of a change in an objective


function value for the Giapetto LP shows:

By inspection, we can see that making the slope of the


isoprofit line more negative than the finishing constraint
(slope = -2) will cause the optimal point to switch from point B
to point C.
Likewise, making the slope of the isoprofit line less negative
than the carpentry constraint (slope = -1) will cause the
optimal point to switch from point B to point A.
Clearly, the slope of the isoprofit line must be between -2 and
-1 for the current basis to remain optimal.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.1 – A Graphical Approach to Sensitivity Analysis

The values of the contribution to profit for soldiers for which the current
optimal basis (x1,x2,s3) will remain optimal can be determined as
follows:
Let c1 be the contribution ($3 per soldier) to the profit. For what values
of c1 does the current basis remain optimal?

At present c1 = 3 and each


3x1 + 2x2 = constant
isoprofit line has the form:

3 1 c 1 1
Rearranging: x2  x 1   constant x 1   constant
2 2 2 2
c 1
Since -2 < slope < -1: 2   1
2
Note: the profit will change
Solving for c1 yields: 2  c1  4 in this range of c1

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.1 – A Graphical Approach to Sensitivity Analysis

Graphical Analysis of the Effect of a Change in RHS on


the LP’s Optimal Solution (using the Giapetto problem).

A graphical analysis can also be used to determine whether a


change in the rhs of a constraint will make the current basis no
longer optimal. For example, let b1 = number of available
finishing hours.

The current optimal solution (point B) is where the carpentry and


finishing constraints are binding. If the value of b1 is changed,
then as long as where the carpentry and finishing constraints
are binding, the optimal solution will still occur where the
carpentry and finishing constraints intersect.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.1 – A Graphical Approach to Sensitivity Analysis
X2
finishing constraint, b1 = 120
In the Giapetto problem to

100
the right, we see that if b1 finishing constraint, b1 = 100

> 120, x1 will be greater


Isoprofit line z = 120
than 40 and will violate the A

80
demand constraint. Also, demand constraint

if b1 < 80, x1 will be less


finishing constraint, b1 = 80
than 0 and the

60
B

nonnegativity constraint
for x1 will be violated. 40 D
carpentry constraint

Therefore: 80 ≤ b1 ≤ 120
Feasible Region
The current basis remains
20

C
optimal for 80 ≤ b1 ≤ 120,
but the decision variable
values and z-value will 20 40 50 60 80 X1
change.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.1 – A Graphical Approach to Sensitivity Analysis

Shadow Prices (using the Giapetto problem)


It is often important to determine how a change in a constraint’s rhs
changes the LP’s optimal z-value. We define:

The shadow price for the i th constraint of an LP is the amount by


which the optimal z-value is improved (increased in a max problem or
decreased in a min problem) if the rhs of the i th constraint is increased
by one. This definition applies only if the change in the rhs of constraint
i leaves the current basis optimal.

For the finishing constraint, 100 +  finishing hours are available


(assuming the current basis remains optimal). The LP’s optimal solution is
then x1 = 20 +  and x2 = 60 –  with z = 3x1 + 2x2 = 3(20 + ) + 2(60 - ) =
180 + . Thus, as long as the current basis remains optimal, a one-unit
increase in the number of finishing hours will increase the optimal z-value
by $1. So, the shadow price for the first (finishing hours) constraint is $1.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.1 – A Graphical Approach to Sensitivity Analysis

Importance of Sensitivity Analysis

Sensitivity analysis is important for several reasons:


• Values of LP parameters might change. If a parameter
changes, sensitivity analysis shows it is unnecessary to solve
the problem again. For example in the Giapetto problem, if the
profit contribution of a soldier changes to $3.50, sensitivity
analysis shows the current solution remains optimal.
• Uncertainty about LP parameters. In the Giapetto problem for
example, if the weekly demand for soldiers is at least 20, the
optimal solution remains 20 soldiers and 60 trains. Thus, even
if demand for soldiers is uncertain, the company can be fairly
confident that it is still optimal to produce 20 soldiers and 60
trains.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

If an LP has more than two decision variables, the


range of values for a rhs (or objective function
coefficient) for which the basis remains optimal
cannot be determined graphically.

These ranges can be computed by hand but this is


often tedious, so they are usually determined by a
packaged computer program. LINDO will be used
and the interpretation of its sensitivity analysis
discussed.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

Consider the following maximization problem. Winco sells


four types of products. The resources needed to produce
one unit of each are:

Product 1 Product 2 Product 3 Product 4 Available


Raw material 2 3 4 7 4600
Hours of labor 3 4 5 6 5000
Sales price $4 $6 $7 $8

To meet customer demand, exactly 950 total units must be


produced. Customers demand that at least 400 units of product 4
be produced. Formulate an LP to maximize profit.
Let xi = number of units of product i produced by Winco.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

The Winco LP formulation:

max z = 4x1 + 6x2 +7x3 + 8x4


s.t. x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 = 950
x4 ≥ 400
2x1 + 3x2 + 4x3 + 7x4 ≤ 4600
3x1 + 4x2 + 5x3 + 6x4 ≤ 5000
x1,x2,x3,x4 ≥ 0

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

LINDO output and MAX 4 X1 + 6 X2 + 7 X3 + 8 X4


SUBJECT TO
sensitivity 2) X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 = 950
analysis 3) X4 >= 400
4) 2 X1 + 3 X2 + 4 X3 + 7 X4 <= 4600
example(s). 5) 3 X1 + 4 X2 + 5 X3 + 6 X4 <= 5000
END
Reduced cost LP OPTIMUM FOUND AT STEP 4
is the amount the OBJECTIVE FUNCTION VALUE
objective function 1) 6650.000

coefficient for VARIABLE VALUE REDUCED COST


variable i would X1
X2
0.000000
400.000000
1.000000
0.000000
have to be X3 150.000000 0.000000
X4 400.000000 0.000000
increased for
there to be an ROW
2)
SLACK OR SURPLUS
0.000000
DUAL PRICES
3.000000
alternative 3) 0.000000 -2.000000
4) 0.000000 1.000000
optimal solution. 5) 250.000000 0.000000

NO. ITERATIONS= 4

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis
RANGES IN WHICH THE BASIS IS UNCHANGED:

LINDO sensitivity
OBJ COEFFICIENT RANGES
analysis example(s).
VARIABLE CURRENT ALLOWABLE ALLOWABLE
COEF INCREASE DECREASE
Allowable range (w/o
X1 4.000000 1.000000 INFINITY
changing basis) for
X2 6.000000 0.666667 0.500000
the x2 coefficient
X3 7.000000 1.000000 0.500000
(c2) is:
X4 8.000000 2.000000 INFINITY
5.50  c2  6.667
RIGHTHAND SIDE RANGES
Allowable range (w/o ROW CURRENT ALLOWABLE ALLOWABLE
changing basis) for RHS INCREASE DECREASE
the rhs (b1) of the first 2 950.000000 50.000000 100.000000
constraint is: 3 400.000000 37.500000 125.000000
4 4600.000000 250.000000 150.000000
850  b1  1000
5 5000.000000 INFINITY 250.000000

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis
MAX 4 X1 + 6 X2 + 7 X3 + 8 X4
Shadow prices SUBJECT TO
2) X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 = 950
are shown in the 3) X4 >= 400
Dual Prices 4) 2 X1 + 3 X2 + 4 X3 + 7 X4 <= 4600
5) 3 X1 + 4 X2 + 5 X3 + 6 X4 <= 5000
section of END
LINDO output. LP OPTIMUM FOUND AT STEP 4

OBJECTIVE FUNCTION VALUE


Shadow prices 1) 6650.000
are the amount
VARIABLE VALUE REDUCED COST
the optimal z- X1 0.000000 1.000000
X2 400.000000 0.000000
value improves if X3 150.000000 0.000000
the rhs of a X4 400.000000 0.000000

constraint is ROW SLACK OR SURPLUS DUAL PRICES


2) 0.000000 3.000000
increased by one 3) 0.000000 -2.000000
unit (assuming 4) 0.000000 1.000000
5) 250.000000 0.000000
no change in
NO. ITERATIONS= 4
basis).

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

Interpretation of shadow prices for the Winco LP

ROW SLACK OR SURPLUS DUAL PRICES


2) 0.000000 3.000000 (overall demand)
3) 0.000000 -2.000000 (product 4 demand)
4) 0.000000 1.000000 (raw material availability)
5) 250.000000 0.000000 (labor availability)

Assuming the allowable range of the rhs is not violated, shadow (Dual) prices
show: $3 for constraint 1 implies that each one-unit increase in total demand
will increase net sales by $3. The -$2 for constraint 2 implies that each unit
increase in the requirement for product 4 will decrease revenue by $2. The $1
shadow price for constraint 3 implies an additional unit of raw material (at no
cost) increases total revenue by $1. Finally, constraint 4 implies any additional
labor (at no cost) will not improve total revenue.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

Shadow price signs

1. Constraints with symbols will always have


nonpositive shadow prices.
2. Constraints with  will always have nonnegative
shadow prices.
3. Equality constraints may have a positive, a
negative, or a zero shadow price.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

Sensitivity Analysis and Slack/Excess Variables


For any inequality constraint, the product of the values of the
constraint’s slack/excess variable and the constraint’s shadow price
must equal zero. This implies that any constraint whose slack or
excess variable > 0 will have a zero shadow price. Similarly, any
constraint with a nonzero shadow price must be binding (have slack
or excess equaling zero). For constraints with nonzero slack or
excess, relationships are detailed in the table below:

Type of Allowable Allowable Decrease


Constraint Increase for rhs for rhs
≤ ∞ = value of slack
≥ = value of excess ∞

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

Degeneracy and Sensitivity Analysis


When the optimal solution is degenerate (a bfs is degenerate if at least
one basic variable in the optimal solution equals 0), caution must be
used when interpreting the LINDO output.

For an LP with m
constraints, if the MAX 6 X1 + 4 X2 + 3 X3 + 2 X4
optimal LINDO output
indicates less than m SUBJECT TO
variables are positive,
2) 2 X1 + 3 X2 + X3 + 2 X4 <= 400
then the optimal solution
is degenerate bfs. 3) X1 + X2 + 2 X3 + X4 <= 150
Consider the LINDO LP
formulation shown to the 4) 2 X1 + X2 + X3 + 0.5 X4 <= 200
right and the LINDO 5) 3 X1 + X2 + X4 <= 250
output on the next slide.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

Since the LP LP OPTIMUM FOUND AT STEP 3


has four OBJECTIVE FUNCTION VALUE
constraints 1) 700.0000
and in the VARIABLE VALUE REDUCED COST
optimal X1 50.000000 0.000000
solution only X2 100.000000 0.000000
two variables X3 0.000000 0.000000
X4 0.000000 1.500000
are positive,
ROW SLACK OR SURPLUS DUAL PRICES
the optimal
2) 0.000000 0.500000
solution is a 3) 0.000000 1.250000
degenerate 4) 0.000000 0.000000
bfs. 5) 0.000000 1.250000

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

RANGES IN WHICH THE BASIS IS UNCHANGED:

OBJ COEFFICIENT RANGES


VARIABLE CURRENT ALLOWABLE ALLOWABLE
COEF INCREASE DECREASE
X1 6.000000 3.000000 3.000000
X2 4.000000 5.000000 1.000000
X3 3.000000 3.000000 2.142857
X4 2.000000 1.500000 INFINITY

RIGHTHAND SIDE RANGES


ROW CURRENT ALLOWABLE ALLOWABLE
RHS INCREASE DECREASE
2 400.000000 0.000000 200.000000
3 150.000000 0.000000 0.000000
4 200.000000 INFINITY 0.000000
5 250.000000 0.000000 120.000000

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis
TABLEAUcommand indicates the optimal basis is RV = {x1,x2,x3,s4}.
THETABLEAU
LINDO
ROW (BASIS) X1 X2 X3 X4 SLK 2
1 ART 0.000 0.000 0.000 1.500 0.500

2 X2 0.000 1.000 0.000 0.500 0.500

3 X3 0.000 0.000 1.000 0.167 -0.167

4 SLK 4 0.000 0.000 0.000 -0.500 0.000

5 X1 1.000 0.000 0.000 0.167 -0.167

ROW SLK 3 SLK 4 SLK 5


1 1.250 0.000 1.250 700.000
2 -0.250 0.000 -0.250 100.000
3 0.583 0.000 -0.083 0.000
4 -0.500 1.000 -0.500 0.000
22 5 0.083 0.000 0.417 50.000
Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.2 – The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis

Oddities that may occur when the optimal solution found


by LINDO is degenerate are:
1. In the RANGE IN WHICH THE BASIS IS UNCHANGED at least
one constraint will have a 0 AI or AD. This means that for at least
one constraint the DUAL PRICE can tell us about the new z-value
for either an increase or decrease in the rhs, but not both.
2. For a nonbasic variable to become positive, a nonbasic variable’s
objective function coefficient may have to be improved by more
than its RECDUCED COST.
3. Increasing a variable’s objective function coefficient by more than
its AI or decreasing it by more than its AD may leave the optimal
solution the same.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.3 – Managerial Use of Shadow Prices
The managerial MAX 4 X1 + 6 X2 + 7 X3 + 8 X4
SUBJECT TO
significance of shadow 2) X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 = 950 raw
prices is that they can 3) X4 >= 400
material
4) 2 X1 + 3 X2 + 4 X3 + 7 X4 <= 4600
often be used to 5) 3 X1 + 4 X2 + 5 X3 + 6 X4 <= 5000
determine the END
labor
maximum amount a LP OPTIMUM FOUND AT STEP 4
manger should be OBJECTIVE FUNCTION VALUE
willing to pay for an 1) 6650.000
additional unit of a VARIABLE VALUE REDUCED COST
resource. Reconsider X1 0.000000 1.000000
X2 400.000000 0.000000
the Winco to the right. X3 150.000000 0.000000
X4 400.000000 0.000000
What is the most ROW SLACK OR SURPLUS DUAL PRICES
Winco should be 2) 0.000000 3.000000
3) 0.000000 -2.000000
willing to pay for 4) 0.000000 1.000000
additional units of raw 5) 250.000000 0.000000

material or labor? NO. ITERATIONS= 4

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.3 – Managerial Use of Shadow Prices
MAX 4 X1 + 6 X2 + 7 X3 + 8 X4
The shadow price for raw SUBJECT TO
material constraint (row 4) 2) X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 = 950
3) X4 >= 400
shows an extra unit of raw 4) 2 X1 + 3 X2 + 4 X3 + 7 X4 <= 4600
5) 3 X1 + 4 X2 + 5 X3 + 6 X4 <= 5000
material would increase END
revenue $1. Winco could
LP OPTIMUM FOUND AT STEP 4
pay up to $1 for an extra
OBJECTIVE FUNCTION VALUE
unit of raw material and be 1) 6650.000
as well off as it is now.
VARIABLE VALUE REDUCED COST
X1 0.000000 1.000000
Labor constraint’s (row 5) X2 400.000000 0.000000
shadow price is 0 meaning X3
X4
150.000000
400.000000
0.000000
0.000000
that an extra hour of labor
ROW SLACK OR SURPLUS DUAL PRICES
will not increase revenue. 2) 0.000000 3.000000
So, Winco should not be 3)
4)
0.000000
0.000000
-2.000000
1.000000
willing to pay anything for 5) 250.000000 0.000000

an extra hour of labor. NO. ITERATIONS= 4

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.4 – What happens to the Optimal z-Value if
the Current Basis Is No Longer Optimal?
In Section 5.2 shadow prices were used to determine the new optimal z-
value if the rhs of a constraint was changed but remained within the
range where the current basis remains optimal. Changing the rhs of a
constraint to values where the current basis is no longer optimal can be
addressed by the LINDO PARAMETRICS feature. This feature can be
used to determine how the shadow price of a constraint and optimal z-
value change.

The use of the LINDO PARAMETICS feature is illustrated by varying


the amount of raw material in the Winco example. Suppose we want to
determine how the optimal z-value and shadow price change as the
amount of raw material varies between 0 and 10,000 units. With 0 raw
material, we then obtain from the RANGE and SENSITIVTY ANALYSIS
results that show Row 4 has an ALLOWABLE INCREASE of -3900.
This indicates at least 3900 units of raw material are required to make
the problem feasible.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.4 – What happens to the Optimal z-Value if the Current Basis
Is No Longer Optimal?
Raw Material rhs = 3900 optimal solution RANGES IN WHICH THE BASIS IS UNCHANGED:

OBJECTIVE FUNCTION VALUE OBJ COEFFICIENT RANGES


VARIABLE CURRENT ALLOWABLE ALLOWABLE
1) 5400.000 COEF INCREASE DECREASE
X1 4.000000 1.000000 INFINITY
VARIABLE VALUE REDUCED COST X2 6.000000 INFINITY 0.500000
X1 550.000000 0.000000 X3 7.000000 1.000000 INFINITY
X2 0.000000 0.000000 X4 8.000000 6.000000 INFINITY
X3 0.000000 1.000000
X4 400.000000 0.000000 RIGHTHAND SIDE RANGES
ROW CURRENT ALLOWABLE ALLOWABLE
ROW SLACK OR SURPLUS DUAL PRICES RHS INCREASE DECREASE
2) 0.000000 0.000000 2 950.000000 0.000000 183.333328
3) 0.000000 -6.000000 3 400.000000 0.000000 137.500000
4) 0.000000 2.000000 4 3900.000000 550.000000 0.000000
5) 950.000000 0.000000 5 5000.000000 INFINITY 950.000000

THE TABLEAU

ROW (BASIS) X1 X2 X3 X4 SLK 3 SLK 4 SLK 5


1 ART 0.000 0.000 1.000 0.000 6.000 2.000 0.000 5400.000
2 X1 1.000 0.000 -1.000 0.000 -4.000 -1.000 0.000 550.000
3 X4 0.000 0.000 0.000 1.000 -1.000 0.000 0.000 400.000
4 X2 0.000 1.000 2.000 0.000 5.000 1.000 0.000 0.000
5 SLK 5 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 -2.000 -1.000 1.000 950.000
ART ART 0.000 0.000 1.000 0.000 6.000 2.000 0.000 0.000

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.4 – What happens to the Optimal z-Value if the Current
Basis Is No Longer Optimal?
Changing Row 4’s rhs to 3900, resolving the LP, and selecting the REPORTS
PARAMTERICS feature. In this feature we choose Row 4, setting the Value to
10000, and select text output. We then obtain the output below:

RIGHTHANDSIDE PARAMETRICS REPORT FOR ROW: 4

VAR VAR PIVOT RHS DUAL PRICE OBJ


OUT IN ROW VAL BEFORE PIVOT VAL
3900.00 2.00000 5400.00
X1 X3 2 4450.00 2.00000 6500.00
SLK 5 SLK 3 5 4850.00 1.00000 6900.00
X3 SLK 4 2 5250.00 -0.333067E-15 6900.00
10000.0 -0.555112E-16 6900.00

Let rm be the amount of available raw material. If rm < 3900, we know the LP is
infeasible. From the figure above, from 3899 < rm < 4450, the shadow price
(DUAL) is $2, switches to $1 from 4449 < rm < 4849, and finally to $0 at 4850.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.4 – What happens to the Optimal z-Value if the Current
Basis Is No Longer Optimal?

LINDO Parametric Feature


Graphical Output (z-value vs.
Raw Material rhs from 3900 to
10000)

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.4 – What happens to the Optimal z-Value if the Current
Basis Is No Longer Optimal?

For any LP, the graph of the optimal objective function


value as a function a rhs will be a piecewise linear
function. The slope of each straight line segment is
just the constraint’s shadow price.
1. For < constraints in a maximization LP, the slope of
each segment must be nonnegative and the slopes
of successive line segments will be nonincreasing.
2. For a > constraint, in a maximization problem, the
graph of the optimal function will again be piecewise
linear function. The slope of each line segment will
be nonpositive and the slopes of successive
segments will be nonincreasing
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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.4 – What happens to the Optimal z-Value if the Current
Basis Is No Longer Optimal?

Effect of change in Objective Function Coefficient on Optimal z-value

A graph of the optimal max z = 3x1 + 2x2


objective function value
as a function of a 2 x1 + x2 ≤ 100 (finishing constraint)
variable’s objective
x1 + x2 ≤ 80 (carpentry constraint)
function coefficient can
be created. Consider x1 ≤ 40 (demand constraint)
again the Giapetto LP
shown to the right. x1,x2 ≥ 0 (sign restriction)

Let c1 = objective coefficient of x1. Currently, c1 = 3 and we want to


determine how the optimal z-value depend upon c1..

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.4 – What happens to the Optimal z-Value if the Current
Basis Is No Longer Optimal?

Recall from the Giapetto problem, if the isoprofit line is flatter than the
carpentry constraint, Point A(0,80) is optimal. Point B(20,60) is
optimal if the isoprofit line is steeper than the carpentry constraint
but flatter than the finishing constraint. Finally, Point C(40,20) is
optimal if the slope of the isoprofit line is steeper than the slope of
the finishing constraint. Since a typical isoprofit line is c1x1 + 2x2 =
k, we know the slope of the isoprofit line is just -c1/2. This implies:

1. Point A is optimal if -c1/2 ≥ -1 or 0 ≤ c1 ≤ 2 ( -1 is the carpentry


constraint slope).
2. Point B is optimal if -2 ≤ -c1/2 ≤ -1 or 2 ≤ c1 ≤ 4 (between the
slopes of the carpentry and finishing constraint slopes).
3. Point C is optimal if -c1/2 ≤ -2 or c1 ≥ 4 ( -2 is the finishing
constraint slope).
This piecewise function is shown on the next page.

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
5.4 – What happens to the Optimal z-Value if the Current
Basis Is No Longer Optimal?

z c 1  160 if 0  c 1  2 440 500


Optimal z-Value vs c1

120  20c 1 if 2  c 1  4
40  40 c 1 if c 1  4 400

In a maximization LP, the slope 300

Optimal z-Value
of the graph of the optimal z-  
z c1

value as a function of an 200


objective function coefficient will
be nondecreasing.
100
In a minimization LP, the slope
of the graph of the optimal z- 0
value as a function of an 0 2 4 6 8 10

objective function coefficient will 0 c1


C1
10

be nonincreasing. z-value

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Copyright (c) 2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.

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