70-257 Optimization for Business
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
This course provides a mathematical foundation for the application of optimization techniques to business problems, as well as the practical implementation of these methods. Mathematical optimization techniques have been applied for decades in the context of logistics, supply chain management, and strategic planning, with great success. In this course, the most important methods and techniques underlying mathematical optimization are studied. These include linear programming, integer programming, and nonlinear programming as basic mathematical methodologies. Based on these, we also consider methodologies for particular problem classes such as network models and traveling salesman problems. During the course we will emphasize mathematical modeling, that is, creating a mathematical description that reflects a given practical problem described in words. Motivated by these mathematical models, we then discuss the necessary mathematical techniques for finding optimal solutions. Lastly, we consider the solution of these problems using optimization software, i.e., we represent the mathematical models in Excel and use Excel Solver to compute an optimal solution.
Prerequisites: 21-259 or 21-254 or 21-256
Offered: Spring 2027, Fall 2026, Summer 2026, Spring 2026, Fall 2025
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