Reminder

Topics 4, 5, and 6 form Module 2 of MOOCOR. They are devoted to Simplex Algorithm. In Topic 4 the steps of the algorithm were introduced for a canonical form of LP (max problem with all variable non-negative and all constraints with "<=" signs). In topics 5 and 6 methods and techniques are discussed for cases where non-canonical LP are present. Big-M method (Topic 5) and Two-phase method (Topic 6) both address cases in which constraint signs are different than "<=". Additionally, the first half of Topic 6 is devoted to discussions of LP that are in the form of minimization or cases where variables may not be non-negative (i.e., non-positive or unrestricted). It is necessary to mention that one major difference between Module 1 and 2 video lectures is the number of times you need to pause the videos. Module 1 materials mainly contained the  materials with which most college students (in related fields) are familiar. The video lectures for those topics could be viewed with minimum number of pauses needed to understand different points raised in those topics. That is not the case for Module 2 videos (actually all videos from topics4 through 10). For example, videos of module 2 contain simplex tableaux iterations and for a participant to learn the topic, he/she needs to actually do the problems that are worked out in the videos and then compare them with steps performed in the video. Thus an iteration shown in the video in 15-20 seconds may require 15-20 minutes to complete. And there are many such iterations contained in the Module 2 videos. Finally, it needs to be reminded that in MOOCOR each topic is built based on the knowledge presented in previous topics and expectations are that participants "develop autonomous learning strategies, thus promoting their own cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning skills and knowledge" (see Instructional scaffolding). 

Learning Goals of Topic 6

• Ability to prepare and set up the starting basic feasible solution tableau of the simplex method, including writing the standard form, and identifying basic and non-basic variables at the starting basic feasible solution
• Ability to extract the solution from a given tableau and write the equations from it
• Ability to recognize whether a solution provided by the tableau is optimal or not
• Understanding and having the ability to identify entering and leaving variable
• The ability and knowledge to perform an iteration of the simplex algorithm

Study Guide

• Watch Topic 4 video (29:43 minutes). Since, this topic uses concepts developed in topics 1, 2, and 3 make sure that you are comfortable with those concepts. If it has been a while since you watched those topics, please view them again before watching this video.
• Visit the Operations Research course on my Web site. On the sliding panel on the left hand side click on "Archive" and select "Solved Problems". In the solve Problems window click on "Simplex Method" to see a number of solved problems. Browse through the problems an get a feel about the type of problems that you may encounter. Try to see whether you can solve some of them without the help of any software.
• On the same Archive tab, select "Topic Archive" and in the new window browse through past semesters of OR class and look at the Simplex Method topics.
• Try to do one of the assignments in one of the Topic Archive pages. If you have a problem, post your question to the group.
• Select one of the problems of your choice and solve it. Between Friday and Saturday post your solution to the group (only PDF files please). If you have not finished your homework, do not look at posted solutions. On Sunday, a test problem will be posted, pick up the problem and try to do it in the allotted time. Participate in the discussion that would follow a couple of days after the test.

Assessment

• Did you complete the homework correctly within the required time? If not, what were the major reasons.
• While solving homework, did you have to redo some work or make corrections to some of the values calculated? If so, would you categorize them as careless mistakes or conceptual mistakes? Do you feel that they might be the type of mistakes other participants make? What advice you can give others to reduce the possibility of those mistakes?
• Did you finish the test within the time identified for the test? If not, how many more minutes it took you to finish the test? Did you finish the test correctly? With passing threshold of 70% did you pass the test? What was the concepts in the test that were not discussed in video tapes, homework, or solved problems? Were they type of concepts that could be deducted from other concepts discussed in Topic 4?
• About the course: Did you have difficulty finding and studying the materials for this course? How can it be improved?

Additional Resources 

Many resources are available on the Internet in terms of Web document pages, PDF documents and videos. Some of these links can also be found on my Operations Research Web page. Additionally, there are major mathematics and engineering software that perform many calculations necessary to solve LP problems or solve them completely. Some specific software designed for solving LP problems are also available. Some commercial software such as LINDO also have free student/demo version that can handle problems in limited size that are generally well beyond the sizes required in academic environments. Finally, some of the Internet pages contain scripts and programs that will allow soling LPs on line. In any case do not forget that my YouTube channel has several videos related to this topic as well.

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