A mathematical technique for determining the most profitable or least disadvantageous choice out of a set of alternatives. Typically the set of alternatives is restricted by several
constraints on the values of a number of
variables and an
objective function locates the optimum in the remaining set. The method is largely used in
operations research and
systems analysis , e.g., for optimal scheduling of production processes (
see pert ), for determining the best way for transporting a certain commodity. (
Krippendorff )
