In this paper we present a new approximation for computing lower bound for the fixed charge transportation problem (FCTP). The lower bounds thus generated delivered 87% optimal solutions for 56 randomly generated small, up to 6×10 in size, problems in an experimental design. For somewhat...

The more-for-less (MFL) phenomenon in distribution problems occurs when it is possible to ship more total goods for less (or equal) total cost, while shipping the same quantity or more from each origin and to each destination. This paradox occurs often in fixed-charge transportation problems...

In a recent paper, Adlakha and Kowalski [A quick sufficient solution to the more-for-less paradox in the transportation problems. Omega, 1998;26:541-7] present a solution method for the more-for-less paradox for transportation problems. The method, though efficient, does not provide specific...

In a transportation problem, is it possible to find a solution with less (or equal) cost than the optimal solution by shipping more units under the condition that at least the same amount is shipped from each supply point and to each market? This more-for-less analysis could be useful for...

The fixed-charge transportation problem (FCTP) is an extension of the classical transportation problem in which a fixed cost is incurred, independent of the amount transported, along with a variable cost that is proportional to the amount shipped. The introduction of fixed costs in addition to...

In many distribution problems, the transportation cost consists of a fixed cost, independent of the amount transported and a variable cost, proportional to the amount shipped. In such fixed-charge transportation problems, is it possible to find a solution with less (or equal) cost than the...

In this pedagogical note we present an improved method to solve and analyze linear programming (LP) problems. The method depends on solving a system of equations and is free of any slack, surplus or artificial variables. The proposed method eliminates the need to manipulate linear inequalities...

The fixed-charge problem is a nonlinear programming problem of practical interest in business and industry. One of its variations is the fixed-charge transportation problem (FCTP) where fixed cost is incurred for every route that is used in the solution, along with the variable cost that is...

In this paper we formulate fixed-charge problems with polynomials. Using polynomial formulations we show structural similarity between different kinds of linear and fixed charge formulations. We also show the benefits of applying polynomial formulation for finding an approximate solution for...

In this note we present a variant of the improved algebraic method (IAM) using a duality analysis to solve linear programming (LP) problems where more insights to the method are presented. When the coordinates of all vertices are computed, any feasible point can be expressed as a linear...