the assignment problem is always a mcq

Operations Research

31. Using ______________ method, we can never have an unbounded solution

• Dual simplex

32. The customers of high priority are given service over the low priority customers is ______________.

• Pre emptive

33. A queuing system is said to be a ______________ when its operating characteristic are independent upon time

• pure birth model
• pure death model
• transient state
• steady state

34. An activity which does not consume neither any resource nor time is known as ______________.

• predecessor activity
• successor activity
• dummy activity

35. The difference between total and free float is ______________.

• independent
• interference

36. The number of time estimates involved in Program Evaluation Review Technique problem is ______________.

37. The assignment problem is always a ______________matrix.

38. The slack variables indicate ______________.

• excess resource available.
• shortage of resource
• nil resource
• idle resource

39. If the net evaluation corresponding to any non -basic variable is zero, it is an indication of the existence of an ______________.

• initial basic feasible solution
• optimum basic feasible solution
• optimum solution.
• alternate optimum solution.

40. Mathematical model of linear programming problem is important because ______________.

• it helps in converting the verbal description and numerical data into mathematical expression
• decision makers prefer to work with formal models
• it captures the relevant relationship among decision factors
• it enables the use of algebraic technique

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How to Solve the Assignment Problem: A Complete Guide

Table of Contents

Assignment problem is a special type of linear programming problem that deals with assigning a number of resources to an equal number of tasks in the most efficient way. The goal is to minimize the total cost of assignments while ensuring that each task is assigned to only one resource and each resource is assigned to only one task. In this blog, we will discuss the solution of the assignment problem using the Hungarian method, which is a popular algorithm for solving the problem.

Understanding the Assignment Problem

Before we dive into the solution, it is important to understand the problem itself. In the assignment problem, we have a matrix of costs, where each row represents a resource and each column represents a task. The objective is to assign each resource to a task in such a way that the total cost of assignments is minimized. However, there are certain constraints that need to be satisfied – each resource can be assigned to only one task and each task can be assigned to only one resource.

Solving the Assignment Problem

There are various methods for solving the assignment problem, including the Hungarian method, the brute force method, and the auction algorithm. Here, we will focus on the steps involved in solving the assignment problem using the Hungarian method, which is the most commonly used and efficient method.

Step 1: Set up the cost matrix

The first step in solving the assignment problem is to set up the cost matrix, which represents the cost of assigning a task to an agent. The matrix should be square and have the same number of rows and columns as the number of tasks and agents, respectively.

Step 2: Subtract the smallest element from each row and column

To simplify the calculations, we need to reduce the size of the cost matrix by subtracting the smallest element from each row and column. This step is called matrix reduction.

Step 3: Cover all zeros with the minimum number of lines

The next step is to cover all zeros in the matrix with the minimum number of horizontal and vertical lines. This step is called matrix covering.

Step 4: Test for optimality and adjust the matrix

To test for optimality, we need to calculate the minimum number of lines required to cover all zeros in the matrix. If the number of lines equals the number of rows or columns, the solution is optimal. If not, we need to adjust the matrix and repeat steps 3 and 4 until we get an optimal solution.

Step 5: Assign the tasks to the agents

The final step is to assign the tasks to the agents based on the optimal solution obtained in step 4. This will give us the most cost-effective or profit-maximizing assignment.

Solution of the Assignment Problem using the Hungarian Method

The Hungarian method is an algorithm that uses a step-by-step approach to find the optimal assignment. The algorithm consists of the following steps:

• Subtract the smallest entry in each row from all the entries of the row.
• Subtract the smallest entry in each column from all the entries of the column.
• Draw the minimum number of lines to cover all zeros in the matrix. If the number of lines drawn is equal to the number of rows, we have an optimal solution. If not, go to step 4.
• Determine the smallest entry not covered by any line. Subtract it from all uncovered entries and add it to all entries covered by two lines. Go to step 3.

The above steps are repeated until an optimal solution is obtained. The optimal solution will have all zeros covered by the minimum number of lines. The assignments can be made by selecting the rows and columns with a single zero in the final matrix.

Applications of the Assignment Problem

The assignment problem has various applications in different fields, including computer science, economics, logistics, and management. In this section, we will provide some examples of how the assignment problem is used in real-life situations.

Applications in Computer Science

The assignment problem can be used in computer science to allocate resources to different tasks, such as allocating memory to processes or assigning threads to processors.

Applications in Economics

The assignment problem can be used in economics to allocate resources to different agents, such as allocating workers to jobs or assigning projects to contractors.

Applications in Logistics

The assignment problem can be used in logistics to allocate resources to different activities, such as allocating vehicles to routes or assigning warehouses to customers.

Applications in Management

The assignment problem can be used in management to allocate resources to different projects, such as allocating employees to tasks or assigning budgets to departments.

Let’s consider the following scenario: a manager needs to assign three employees to three different tasks. Each employee has different skills, and each task requires specific skills. The manager wants to minimize the total time it takes to complete all the tasks. The skills and the time required for each task are given in the table below:

The assignment problem is to determine which employee should be assigned to which task to minimize the total time required. To solve this problem, we can use the Hungarian method, which we discussed in the previous blog.

Using the Hungarian method, we first subtract the smallest entry in each row from all the entries of the row:

Next, we subtract the smallest entry in each column from all the entries of the column:

We draw the minimum number of lines to cover all the zeros in the matrix, which in this case is three:

Since the number of lines is equal to the number of rows, we have an optimal solution. The assignments can be made by selecting the rows and columns with a single zero in the final matrix. In this case, the optimal assignments are:

• Emp 1 to Task 3
• Emp 2 to Task 2
• Emp 3 to Task 1

This assignment results in a total time of 9 units.

I hope this example helps you better understand the assignment problem and how to solve it using the Hungarian method.

Solving the assignment problem may seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently tackle any assignment problem that comes your way.

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Operations Research

1 Operations Research-An Overview

• History of O.R.
• Approach, Techniques and Tools
• Phases and Processes of O.R. Study
• Typical Applications of O.R
• Limitations of Operations Research
• Models in Operations Research
• O.R. in real world

2 Linear Programming: Formulation and Graphical Method

• General formulation of Linear Programming Problem
• Optimisation Models
• Basics of Graphic Method
• Important steps to draw graph
• Multiple, Unbounded Solution and Infeasible Problems
• Solving Linear Programming Graphically Using Computer
• Application of Linear Programming in Business and Industry

3 Linear Programming-Simplex Method

• Principle of Simplex Method
• Computational aspect of Simplex Method
• Simplex Method with several Decision Variables
• Two Phase and M-method
• Multiple Solution, Unbounded Solution and Infeasible Problem
• Sensitivity Analysis
• Dual Linear Programming Problem

4 Transportation Problem

• Basic Feasible Solution of a Transportation Problem
• Modified Distribution Method
• Stepping Stone Method
• Unbalanced Transportation Problem
• Degenerate Transportation Problem
• Transhipment Problem
• Maximisation in a Transportation Problem

5 Assignment Problem

• Solution of the Assignment Problem
• Unbalanced Assignment Problem
• Problem with some Infeasible Assignments
• Maximisation in an Assignment Problem
• Crew Assignment Problem

6 Application of Excel Solver to Solve LPP

• Building Excel model for solving LP: An Illustrative Example

7 Goal Programming

• Concepts of goal programming
• Goal programming model formulation
• Graphical method of goal programming
• The simplex method of goal programming
• Using Excel Solver to Solve Goal Programming Models
• Application areas of goal programming

8 Integer Programming

• Some Integer Programming Formulation Techniques
• Binary Representation of General Integer Variables
• Unimodularity
• Cutting Plane Method
• Branch and Bound Method
• Solver Solution

9 Dynamic Programming

• Dynamic Programming Methodology: An Example
• Definitions and Notations
• Dynamic Programming Applications

10 Non-Linear Programming

• Solution of a Non-linear Programming Problem
• Convex and Concave Functions
• Kuhn-Tucker Conditions for Constrained Optimisation
• Quadratic Programming
• Separable Programming
• NLP Models with Solver

11 Introduction to game theory and its Applications

• Important terms in Game Theory
• Saddle points
• Mixed strategies: Games without saddle points
• 2 x n games
• Exploiting an opponent’s mistakes

12 Monte Carlo Simulation

• Reasons for using simulation
• Monte Carlo simulation
• Limitations of simulation
• Steps in the simulation process
• Some practical applications of simulation
• Two typical examples of hand-computed simulation
• Computer simulation

13 Queueing Models

• Characteristics of a queueing model
• Notations and Symbols
• Statistical methods in queueing
• The M/M/I System
• The M/M/C System
• The M/Ek/I System
• Decision problems in queueing

Assignment Problem

• Feb 20, 2024

The assignment problem is a special case of transportation problem.

Suppose there are $n$ jobs to be performed and $n$ persons are available for these jobs. Assume that each person can do each job at a time, though with varying degree of efficiency.

Let $c_{ij}$ be the cost if the $i^{th}$ person is assigned the $j^{th}$ job. Then the problem is to find an assignment so that the total cost of performing all jobs is minimum. (i.e., which job should be assigned to which person with minimum cost). Such problem is called an Assignment Problem (AP).

The tabular form of the assignment problem is as follows

The above table is called the $n\times n$ cost-matrix, where $c_{ij}$ are real numbers.

Thus the objective in the Assignment Problem is to assign a number of jobs to the equal number of persons at a minimum cost or maximum profit. e.g. assigning men to offices, classes to rooms, drivers to trucks, problems to research teams etc.

Mathematical Formulation of AP

Mathematically, the AP can be stated as $$ \begin{equation}\label{eq2.4} \min z = \sum_{i=1}^n\sum_{j=1}^n x_{ij} c_{ij}. \end{equation} $$ subject to $$ \begin{equation}\label{eq2.5} \sum_{j=1}^n x_{ij} =1,; \text{ for } i=1,2,\ldots, n \end{equation} $$

$$ \begin{equation}\label{eq2.6} \sum_{i=1}^n x_{ij} =1,; \text{ for } j=1,2,\ldots,n \end{equation} $$ where $$ \begin{equation*} x_{ij}=\left{ \begin{array}{ll} 1, & \hbox{if $i^{th}$ person is assigned $j^{th}$ job;} \ 0, & \hbox{otherwise.} \end{array} \right. \end{equation*} $$ Constraint \eqref{eq2.5} indicate that one job is done by $i^{th}$ person $i=1,2,\ldots, n$ and constraint \eqref{eq2.6} indicate that one person should be assigned $j^{th}$ job $j=1,2,\ldots, n$.

It may be observed from the above formulation that AP is a special type of Linear programming problem.

Unbalanced Assignment Problem

If the cost matrix of an assignment problem is not a square matrix, the assignment problem is called an Unbalanced Assignment Problem . In such a case, add dummy row or dummy column with zero cost in the cost matrix so as to form a square matrix. Then apply the usual assignment method to find the optimal solution.

Maximal Assignment Problem

Sometimes, the assignment problem deals with the maximization of an objective function instead of minimization.. For example, it may be required to assign persons to jobs in such a way that the expected profit is maximum. In such a case, first convert the problem of maximization to minimization and apply the usual procedure of assignment.

The assignment problem of maximization type can be converted to minimization type by subtracting all the elements of the given profit matrix from the largest element.

Restrictions on Assignment

Sometimes due to technical or other difficulties do not permit the assignment of a particular facility to a particular job. In such a situation, the difficulty can be overcome by assigning a very high cost (say, infinity i.e. $\infty$) to the corresponding cell.

Because of assigning an infinite penalty to such a cell the activity will be automatically excluded from the optimal solution. Then apply the usual procedure to find the optimal assignment.

Assignment Problem: Meaning, Methods and Variations | Operations Research

After reading this article you will learn about:- 1. Meaning of Assignment Problem 2. Definition of Assignment Problem 3. Mathematical Formulation 4. Hungarian Method 5. Variations.

Meaning of Assignment Problem:

An assignment problem is a particular case of transportation problem where the objective is to assign a number of resources to an equal number of activities so as to minimise total cost or maximize total profit of allocation.

The problem of assignment arises because available resources such as men, machines etc. have varying degrees of efficiency for performing different activities, therefore, cost, profit or loss of performing the different activities is different.

Thus, the problem is “How should the assignments be made so as to optimize the given objective”. Some of the problem where the assignment technique may be useful are assignment of workers to machines, salesman to different sales areas.

Definition of Assignment Problem:

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Suppose there are n jobs to be performed and n persons are available for doing these jobs. Assume that each person can do each job at a term, though with varying degree of efficiency, let c ij be the cost if the i-th person is assigned to the j-th job. The problem is to find an assignment (which job should be assigned to which person one on-one basis) So that the total cost of performing all jobs is minimum, problem of this kind are known as assignment problem.

The assignment problem can be stated in the form of n x n cost matrix C real members as given in the following table:

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