Customer Reviews

Elementary Linear Programming with Applications, Second Edition (Computer Science & Scientific Computing Series)

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I am currently the marker for a first course on linear programming which uses this book. I find that the definitions of key terms are buried in the text, like the definition of a basic solution on p. 95. The description of the simplex algorithm in section 2.1 is mixed together with a particular linear programming problem. I would prefer to have a general description and then many detailed examples, rather than a mix of both and then only two examples. I have a similar complaint with section 2.3 on the two phase method.

This book is expensive. There are books published by Dover that cover the simplex algorithm, duality, and integer programming that cost a tenth as much as this book, and an instructor should look at those before assigning a book that costs this much. Also, it is ludicrous now to have newly purchased books come with floppy disks.

This is a good book. Everything is well explained and each section has many examples. The only thing I would complain about is that the examples should probably have been placed before the theorem statement/proof as it would help the reader understand the proof. The material is all very straightforward and shouldn't cause any headaches. Overall an excellent book which I'd recommend to anyone who would like to learn linear programming.

For anyone trying to learn linear programming out a class room setting it is also good as the back has answers to odd numbered questions.