Optimization problem in the standard form

Let $x\rightarrow x^c$ be an objective function of an optimization problem in the standard form, for which the optimal solution doesn't exist. Does then exist an optimal solution to $x\rightarrow x^(-c)$?

asked Oct 8, 2014 at 18:18 6,450 6 6 gold badges 49 49 silver badges 95 95 bronze badges

$\begingroup$ Not necessarily. Imagine a program with no valid $x$. Such a program never has an optimal solution (for any objective function). $\endgroup$

Commented Oct 8, 2014 at 18:21

$\begingroup$ can you tell me more about that? I'm kinda new to this topic. Thank you. Maybe you can post an answer. $\endgroup$

Commented Oct 8, 2014 at 18:23

$\begingroup$ I have now tried to find concrete programs for the various cases. Feel free to ask for clarification. $\endgroup$

Commented Oct 8, 2014 at 18:46

1 Answer 1

$\begingroup$

If we have an unconstrained problem with objective $x^Tc$ we have no optimum because we can get "as good as we want": Chose $x_n = -nc$ to obtain a sequence of values $-n\|c\| \to-\infty$. If we are constrained, the admissible region is a polytope of the form $Ax = b$: $$\min_ x^T c \tag P$$ If the admissible region $\$ is bounded and non-empty, we always have a solution, no matter what $c$ we chose (esp. $-c$ also gives a solution). If it's empty, we never have a solution and if it's unbounded we can give examples such that (P) is unbounded for both $c, -c$, bounded for exactly one of $c,-c$ or bounded for both $c$ and $-c$, so we can't really say anything.

Examples:
$A = \pmatrix, b = 0, c = \pmatrix$: unbounded for $-c$, unique for $c$ $A = \pmatrix, b = 1, c = \pmatrix$: solutions for both, $c, -c$
$A = \pmatrix, b = \pmatrix, c=\pmatrix$: unbounded for both $c, -c$

answered Oct 8, 2014 at 18:46 25k 1 1 gold badge 36 36 silver badges 59 59 bronze badges

You must log in to answer this question.

Related

Hot Network Questions

Subscribe to RSS

Question feed

To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader.

Site design / logo © 2024 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA . rev 2024.9.4.14806