1. Branch-and-Bound Technique for Solving Integer Programs
In this handout
Basic concepts
Introducing the technique based on an example

2. Basic Concepts
The basic concept underlying the branch-and-bound technique
is to divide and conquer.
Since the original “large” problem is hard to solve directly,
it is divided into smaller and smaller subproblems
until these subproblems can be conquered.
The dividing (branching) is done by partitioning
the entire set of feasible solutions into smaller and smaller subsets.
The conquering (fathoming) is done partially by
(i) giving a bound for the best solution in the subset;
(ii) discarding the subset if the bound indicates that
it can’t contain an optimal solution.
These three basic steps – branching, bounding, and fathoming –
are illustrated on the following example.

3. Example of Branch-and-Bound6
Max Z = 5x1 + 8x2
s.t. x1 + x2  6
5x1 + 9x2  45
x1 , x2 ≥ 0 integer
x1 + x2 = 6 5 4
(2.25, 3.75) 3
Z=41.25 2
5x1 + 9x2 = 45 1
Z=20 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 6

4. Utilizing the information about the optimal solution of the LP-relaxation
Fact: If LP-relaxation has integral optimal solution x*, then x* is optimal for IP too.
In our case, (x1, x2) = (2.25, 3.75) is the optimal solution of the LP-relaxation. But, unfortunately, it is not integral.
The optimal value is
Fact: OPT(LP-relaxation) ≥ OPT(IP)
(for maximization problems)
That is, the optimal value of the LP-relaxation
is an upper bound
for the optimal value of the integer program.
In our case, is an upper bound for OPT(IP).

5. Branching step In an attempt to find out more
about the location of the IP’s optimal solution,
partition the feasible region of the LP-relaxation.
Choose a variable that is fractional in the optimal solution to the LP-relaxation – say, x2 . Observe that every feasible IP point must have either x2  3 or x2 ≥ 4 .
With this in mind, branch on the variable x2 to create the following two subproblems:
Subproblem 1 Subproblem 2
Max Z = 5x1 + 8x2 Max Z = 5x1 + 8x2
s.t. x1 + x2  6 s.t. x1 + x2  6
5x1 + 9x2  x1 + 9x2  45
x2  x2 ≥ 4
x1 , x2 ≥ x1 , x2 ≥ 0
Solve both subproblems
(note that the original optimal solution (2.25, 3.75) can’t recur)

6. Branching step (graphically)
Z=41
Subproblem 1: Opt. solution (3,3) with value 39
Subproblem 2: Opt. solution (1.8,4) with value 41 5
Subproblem 2 4
(1.8, 4) 3
(3, 3) 2
Subproblem 1 1
Z=39
Z=20 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 6

7. Solution tree
S1: x2  3
(3, 3)
Z=39
For each subproblem, we record
the restriction that creates the subproblem
the optimal LP solution
the LP optimum value
The optimal solution for Subproblem 1 is integral: (3, 3).
If further branching on a subproblem will yield no useful information, then we can fathom (dismiss) the subproblem.
In our case, we can fathom Subproblem 1 because its solution is integral.
The best integer solution found so far is stored as incumbent. The value of the incumbent is denoted by Z*.
In our case, the first incumbent is (3, 3), and Z*=39.
Z* is a lower bound for OPT(IP): OPT(IP) ≥ Z* .
In our case, OPT(IP) ≥ 39. The upper bound is 41: OPT(IP)  41.
int.
All
(2.25, 3.75)
Z=41.25
S2: x2 ≥ 4
(1.8, 4)
Z=41

8. Next branching step (graphically)
- Fathom Subproblem 1.
- Branch Subproblem 2 on x1 :
Subproblem 3: New restriction is x1  1.
Opt. solution (1, 4.44) with value 40.55
Subproblem 4: New restriction is x1 ≥ 2.
The subproblem is infeasible 5
(1, 4.44)
Subpr. 4
Subpr. 3 4 3
Z=40.55
Z=20 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 6

9. Solution tree (cont.) int.
S1: x2  3
(3, 3)
Z=39
int.
If a subproblem is infeasible, then it is fathomed.
In our case, Subproblem 4 is infeasible; fathom it.
The upper bound for OPT(IP) is updated: 39  OPT(IP) 
Next branch Subproblem 3 on x2 .
(Note that the branching variable might recur).
All
(2.25, 3.75)
Z=41.25
S3: x1  1
(1, 4.44)
Z=40.55
S2: x2 ≥ 4
(1.8, 4)
Z=41
S4: x1 ≥ 2
infeasible

10. Next branching step (graphically)
Branch Subproblem 3 on x2 :
Subproblem 5: New restriction is x2  4.
Feasible region:
the segment joining (0,4) and (1,4)
Opt. solution (1, 4) with value 37
Subproblem 6: New restriction is x2 ≥ 5.
Feasible region is just one point: (0, 5)
Opt. solution (0, 5) with value 40
(0, 5) 5 4
(1, 4) 3
Z=20 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 6

11. Solution tree (final) int. int.
S1: x2  3
(3, 3)
Z=39
int.
S5: x2  4
(1, 4)
Z=37
If the optimal value of a subproblem is  Z*, then it is fathomed.
In our case, Subproblem 5 is fathomed because 37  39 = Z*.
If a subproblem has integral optimal solution x*,
and its value > Z*, then x* replaces the current incumbent.
In our case, Subproblem 5 has integral optimal solution, and its value >39=Z*. Thus, (0,5) is the new incumbent, and new Z*=40.
If there are no unfathomed subproblems left, then the current incumbent is an optimal solution for (IP).
In our case, (0, 5) is an optimal solution with optimal value 40.
int.
All
(2.25, 3.75)
Z=41.25
S3: x1  1
(1, 4.44)
Z=40.55
S2: x2 ≥ 4
(1.8, 4)
Z=41
S6: x2 ≥ 5
(0, 5)
Z=40
int.
S4: x1 ≥ 2
infeasible