1. Operation Research (OR) RG753 Sensitivity Analysis October 15, 22, 29
Fall 2014
Department of Rs & gisc
Institute of space technology

2. Why we need Sensitivity Analysis?
Most of the parameter values used in the original model are just estimates of future conditions
Therefore, their effect on the optimal solution needs to be investigated
Sensitivity analysis is concerned with how changes in an LP’s parameters affect the optimal solution
Sensitivity analysis tells us that how sensitive is the objective function towards any change in the value of the parameters

3. A Graphical Introduction to Sensitivity Analysis
Book=Winston
Winston Book

4. Let c1 be the contribution to profit by each soldier (x1)
Let c1 be the contribution to profit by each soldier (x1). For what values of c1 does the current basis remain optimal?
Currently, c1 = 3, and each isoprofit line has the form 3x1+2x2 = constant, or
x2 = -(3/2) x1+constant/2
Each isoprofit line has a slope of -3/2

5. The current basis will no longer be optimal
From Figure 1, we see that if a change in c1 causes the isoprofit lines to be flatter than the carpentry constraint
Then the optimal solution will change from the current optimal solution (point B) to a new optimal solution (point A)
If the profit for each soldier is c1, the slope of each isoprofit line will be - c1/2
Because the slope of the carpentry constraint is -1, the isoprofit lines will be flatter than the carpentry constraint if - c1/2 > -1 or c1< 2,
The current basis will no longer be optimal
The new optimal solution will be (0, 80), point A in Figure 1
Similarly, If the isoprofit lines are steeper than the finishing constraint, then the optimal solution will change from point B to point C
The slope of the finishing constraint is -2.
If - c1/2 < -2 or c1> 4, then the current basis is no longer optimal and point C, (40, 20), will be optimal
If c1 = 4 then Profit = $200 (previously it was $180)
Summary:
if all other parameters remain unchanged
the current basis remains optimal for
2 ≤ c1 ≤ 4
Giapetto should still manufacture 20 soldiers and 60 trains
But the profit will change

6. Effect of a Change in a Right-Hand Side on the LP’s Optimal Solution
A graphical analysis can also be used to determine whether a change in the right-hand side of a constraint will make the current basis no longer optimal
In current optimal solution, the carpentry and finishing constraints are binding
Let b1 be the number of available finishing hours
Currently, b1 =100, for what values of b1 does the current basis remain optimal?
Any change in b1 will shift the finishing constraint parallel to its current position
If we change the value of b1, then as long as the point where the finishing and carpentry constraints are binding remains feasible, the optimal solution will still occur where the finishing and carpentry constraints intersect.

7. Thus, for b1>120, the current basis will no longer be optimal
if b1 > 120, then the point where the finishing and carpentry constraints are both binding will lie on the portion of the carpentry constraint below point D
In this region, x1 > 40, and the demand constraint for soldiers is not satisfied
Thus, for b1>120, the current basis will no longer be optimal
Similarly, if b1< 80, then the carpentry and finishing constraints will be binding at an infeasible point having x1< 0, and the current basis will no longer be optimal
Consider a constraint with positive slack (or positive excess) in an LP’s optimal solution; if we change the right-hand side of this constraint in the range where the current basis remains optimal, then the optimal solution to the LP is unchanged.
Thus (if all other parameters remain unchanged), the current basis remains optimal if 80 ≤ b1 ≤ 120
Although, the current basis remains optimal, the value of the decision variables and the objective function value change.

8. Check Winston Book to understand the above comment!!!
Consider a constraint with positive slack (or positive excess) in an LP’s optimal solution; if we change the right-hand side of this constraint in the range where the current basis remains optimal, then the optimal solution to the LP is unchanged
Check Winston Book to understand the above comment!!!

9. Shadow Price of a constraint
How a change in a constraint’s right-hand side changes the LP’s optimal z-value?
Shadow price for the ith constraint of an LP is the amount by which the optimal z-value is improved—increased in a max problem and decreased in a min problem— if the right-hand side of the ith constraint is increased by 1
This definition applies only if the change in the right-hand side of Constraint i leaves the current basis optimal
Whenever the slack or excess variable for a constraint is positive in an LP’s optimal solution, the constraint will have a zero shadow price (please check Winston Book)

10. Shadow price of constraint 2 = 1

11. The Computer and Sensitivity Analysis
Graphically we can do this analysis for 2-decision variables
Hand calculations are tedious
Now we will discuss the interpretation of the sensitivity analysis information on the LINDO output
To obtain a sensitivity report in LINDO, select ‘Yes’ when asked (after solving LP)

14. Objective Function Coefficient Ranges
Gives the range of values for an objective function coefficient for which the current basis remains optimal
For each objective function coefficient, this range is given in the OBJECTIVE COEFFICIENT RANGES portion of the LINDO output
The ALLOWABLE INCREASE (AI) section indicates the amount by which an objective function coefficient can be increased with the current basis remaining optimal
Similarly, the ALLOWABLE DECREASE (AD) section indicates the amount by which an objective function coefficient can be decreased with the current basis remaining optimal
If ci remains in its allowable range then the values of the decision variables remain unchanged, although the optimal z-value may change

16. Reduced Costs and Sensitivity Analysis
The REDUCED COST portion of the LINDO output gives us information about how changing the objective function coefficient for a nonbasic variable will change the LP’s optimal solution
For any nonbasic variable xk, the reduced cost is the amount by which the objective function coefficient of xk must be improved before the LP will have an optimal solution in which xk is a basic variable.
If the objective function coefficient of a nonbasic variable xk is improved by its reduced cost (increase in Max and decrease in Min LPs), then the LP will have alternative optimal solutions—
at least one in which xk is a basic variable, and
at least one in which xk is not a basic variable
If the objective function coefficient of a nonbasic variable xk is improved by more than its reduced cost, then any optimal solution to the LP will have xk as a basic variable and xk > 0
Condition: Values of all basic variables should remain positive

17. Refer Ex-1 Optimal bfs has Basic variables x2, x3, x4, and s4
x1 = nonbasic with $1 reduced cost
This implies that if we increase x1’s objective function coefficient (in this case, the sales price per unit of x1) by exactly $1, then there will be alternative optimal solutions, at least one of which will have x1 as a basic variable
If we increase x1’s objective function coefficient by more than $1, then any optimal solution to the LP will have x1 as a basic variable
Thus, the reduced cost for x1 is the amount by which x1 “misses the optimal basis”
We must keep a close watch on x1’s sales price, because a slight increase will change the LP’s optimal solution

18. Right-Hand Side Ranges
Range of values for a right-hand side within which the current basis remains optimal
This information is given in the RIGHTHAND SIDE RANGES section of the LINDO output
Consider the first constraint in Example 1. Currently, the right-hand side of this constraint (call it b1) is 950
The current basis remains optimal if b1 is decreased by up to 100 (the allowable decrease, or AD, for b1) or increased by up to 50 (the allowable increase, or AI, for b1)
Thus, the current basis remains optimal if
850 = ≤ b1 ≤ = 1,000
We call this the allowable range for b1
LINDO output does not provide sufficient information to determine the new values of the decision variables
LINDO output does allow us to determine the LP’s new optimal z-value using

19. Shadow Prices and Dual Prices
Shadow price of an LP’s ith constraint is the amount by which the optimal z-value of the LP is improved if the right-hand side is increased by one unit (assuming this change leaves the current basis optimal)
If, after a change in a constraint’s right-hand side, the current basis is no longer optimal, then the shadow prices of all constraints may change
The shadow price for each constraint is found in the DUAL PRICES section of the LINDO output
If we increase the right-hand side of the ith constraint by an amount bi (decrease means this value is <0)
And the new right-hand side value for Constraint i remains within the allowable range for the right- hand side given in the RIGHTHAND SIDE RANGES section of the output,
then formulas (1) and (2) may be used to determine the optimal z-value after a right-hand side is changed.

21. Interpretation to the Shadow Price
Refer Example 1 (assuming that we are within the allowable range where the current basis remains optimal)
The shadow price of $3 for Constraint 1 in Example 1 implies that each one-unit increase in total demand will increase sales revenues by $3
The shadow price of $2 for Constraint 2 implies that each unit increase in the requirement for product 4 will decrease revenue by $2
The shadow price of $1 for Constraint 3 implies that an additional unit of raw material given to Winco (for no cost) increases total revenue by $1.
Finally, the shadow price of $0 for Constraint 4 implies that an additional unit of labor given to Winco (at no cost) will not increase total revenue.
This is reasonable; at present, 250 of the available 5,000 labor hours are not being used, so why should we expect additional labor to raise revenues?

22. Signs of Shadow Prices
A ≥ constraint will always have a non-positive shadow price;
a ≤ constraint will always have a nonnegative shadow price;
and an = constraint may have a positive, negative, or zero shadow price
Adding something in ≥ constraint will eliminate points to an LP’s feasible region
Thus, the optimal z-value must decrease or stay the same, implying that the shadow price of this constraint must be non-positive
Adding something in ≤ constraint will add points from an LP’s feasible region
Thus, the optimal z-value must increase or stay the same, implying that the shadow price of this constraint must be nonnegative
Same for Min LP

23. Sensitivity Analysis and Slack and Excess Variables
Any constraint whose slack or excess variable is > 0 will have a zero shadow price
Any constraint with a nonzero shadow price must be binding (have slack or excess equal to 0)
Example 1
The Labor constraint has positive slack, so its shadow price must be 0.
This is reasonable, because slack 250 for this constraint indicates that 250 hours of currently available labor are unused at present. Thus, an extra hour of labor would not increase revenues.
The raw material constraint has a nonzero shadow price, it must have slack 0.
This is reasonable; the nonzero shadow price means that additional raw material will increase revenue. This can be the case only if all currently available raw material is now being used.
For any inequality constraint, the product of the values of the constraint’s slack or excess variable and the constraint’s shadow price must equal 0

24. Continue….
For constraints with nonzero slack or excess, the value of the slack or excess variable is related to the ALLOWABLE INCREASE and ALLOWABLE DECREASE sections of the RIGHTHAND SIDE RANGES portion of the LINDO output. This relationship is detailed in Table 4.
For any constraint having positive slack or excess, the optimal z-value and values of the decision variables remain unchanged within the right-hand side’s allowable range
See Example 1 to verify

25. Degeneracy and Sensitivity Analysis
A bfs is degenerate if at least one basic variable in the optimal solution = 0
For an LP with m constraints, if the LINDO output indicates that less than m variables are positive, then the optimal solution is a degenerate bfs
When the optimal solution to an LP is degenerate, caution must be used when interpreting the LINDO output
Read page 240 of Winston book for further clarification

26. Reading Assignment
Please read from Winston’s book “Managerial Use of Shadow Prices”

27. Quiz2- (Q of Text Book)
The Fagersta Steelworks currently is working two mines to obtain its iron ore. This iron ore is shipped to either of two storage facilities. When needed, it then is shipped on to the company’s steel plant. The diagram below depicts this distribution network, where M1 and M2 are the two mines, S1 and S2 are the two storage facilities, and P is the steel plant. The diagram also shows the monthly amounts produced at the mines and needed at the plant, as well as the shipping cost and the maximum amount that can be shipped per month through each shipping lane.
Management now wants to determine the most economical plan for shipping the iron ore from the mines through the distribution network to the steel plant.
Formulate a linear programming model for this problem.
Bonus: Solve this problem using LINDO

28. Range of Optimality and 100% Rule
Consider the following linear program:
Min 6x x2 ($ cost)
s.t. x x2 < 8
10x x2 > 30
x2 > 2
x1, x2 > 0

29. Solution Variable Value Reduced Cost x1 1.500 0.000 x2 2.000 0.000
OBJECTIVE FUNCTION VALUE =
Variable Value Reduced Cost x x
Constraint Slack/Surplus Dual Price

30. (continued)
OBJECTIVE COEFFICIENT RANGES
Variable Lower Limit Current Value Upper Limit x
x No Limit
RIGHTHAND SIDE RANGES
Constraint Lower Limit Current Value Upper Limit
No Limit

31. Question???
If simultaneously the cost of x1 was raised to $7.5 and the cost of x2 was reduced to $6, would the current solution remain optimal?
Answer
If c1 = 7.5, the amount c1 changed is = The maximum allowable increase is = 6, so this is a 1.5/6 = 25% change. If c2 = 6, the amount that c2 changed is = 3. The maximum allowable decrease is = 4.5, so this is a 3/4.5 = 66.7% change. The sum of the change percentages is 25% % = 91.7%. Since this does not exceed 100% the optimal solution would not change.

32. Summary

33. Optimization vs. Sensitivity Analysis
Optimization seeks to answer the question “What is Best?”
Sensitivity Analysis is to answer “What If?” question

34. Sensitivity Analysis What if analysis Uncertainty analysis
Tolerance analysis
Post-optimality analysis
Allowable increase and decrease

35. Why Sensitivity Analysis?
Models can only capture few aspects of reality
There are unavoidable presence of uncertainties
Decision making is always hard in unpredictable environment
How to cope with uncertainties?

36. How to cope with uncertainties?
Investigate the effect of changing the parameter values used in the model
Identify which parameters have the greatest impact on the model out
Do further analysis and evaluation of those parameters

37. Methodology Start with a “base case”
Make a slight change in the value of that parameter while holding other parameters unchanged
Determine the limits of uncertainty for input parameter (± or % change)

38. Benefits
Beneficial in determining the direction of future data collection activities
Relatively sensitive data would require more attention (determine more accurately) as compared to the data which is relatively less sensitive
Helps in making good decisions

39. Sensitivity Analysis and Duality

40. Concept of Duality
Every linear programming problem has associated with it another linear programming problem called the Dual
The original problem is called the Primal
If the primal is a Max problem, then the dual will be a Min problem, and vice versa
Knowledge of duality will also provide additional insights into sensitivity analysis

41. Duality Theory
Assumption: The primal linear programming problem is in our standard form (but with no restriction that the bi values need to be positive)
Consider a max problem in which all variables are required to be nonnegative and all constraints are ≤ constraints (called a normal max problem).
The dual problem uses exactly the same parameters as the primal problem, but in different locations
(A)
(B)

43. The parameters for a constraint in either problem are the coefficients of a variable in the other problem
The coefficients for the objective function of either problem are the right sides for the other problem
The ith dual constraint corresponds to the ith primal variable xi .In a similar fashion, dual variable yi is associated with the ith primal constraint
A min problem such as (B) that has all constraints and all variables nonnegative is called a normal min problem
If the primal is a normal min problem such as (B), then we define the dual of (B) to be (A)

46. Interpreting the Dual of a Max Problem
Suppose an entrepreneur wants to purchase all of Dakota’s resources. Then the entrepreneur must determine the price he or she is willing to pay for a unit of each of Dakota’s resources. With this in mind, we define;
The first dual constraint is associated with desks, the second with tables, and the third with chairs. Also, y1 is associated with lumber, y2 with finishing hours, and y3 with carpentry hours. The relevant information about the Dakota problem is shown in Table 21. We are now ready to interpret the Dakota dual (20).

47. The objective function for the Dakota dual is min w = 48y1+20y2+8y3
The resource prices y1, y2, and y3 should be determined by solving the Dakota dual (20)
The total price that should be paid for these resources is 48y1+20y2+8y3
The objective function for the Dakota dual is min w = 48y1+20y2+8y3
In setting resource prices, what constraints does the entrepreneur face?
Resource prices must be set high enough to induce Dakota to sell
For example, the entrepreneur must offer Dakota at least $60 for a combination of resources that includes
8 board feet of lumber, 4 finishing hours, and 2 carpentry hours
because Dakota could, if it desires, use these resources to produce a desk that can be sold for $60
The entrepreneur is offering 8y1+4y2+2y3 for the resources used to produce a desk, so he or she must choose y1, y2, and y3 to satisfy
8y1+4y2+2y3 ≥ 60
Similar reasoning shows that at least $30 must be paid for the resources used to produce a table and $20 for a chair

48. Solution to the dual of the Dakota problem does yield prices for lumber, finishing hours, and carpentry hours
In summary, when the primal is a normal max problem, the dual variables are related to the value of the resources available to the decision maker
For this reason, the dual variables are often referred to as resource shadow prices

49. Shadow Prices
The shadow price of the ith constraint of a linear programming problem is the amount by which the optimal z-value is improved if the right-hand side is increased by 1
The shadow price of the ith constraint is the DUAL PRICE for row i +1 in the LINDO output

50. Home assignment
Read “Interpreting the Dual of a Min Problem” --- page 303 of Winston
Read “Duality and Sensitivity Analysis” page 323 of Winston