Nutzungsmenge

Nutzungsmenge is a term used in German to denote the set of possible utilizations or uses of a resource, option or variable within a model. It defines the scope of what can be performed or applied under given conditions and constraints.

In formal modeling, die Nutzungsmenge U is typically a subset of a domain such as R^n and represents feasible usage patterns, amounts of resources, or time allocations. The exact definition depends on the context: in operations research it often corresponds to the feasible set of decisions, while in economics it can describe all production plans compatible with capacities and budgets. The Nutzungsmenge is the space from which a decision-maker selects a point x to optimize an objective function.

The Nutzungsmenge is related to, but distinct from, related concepts. It is not the same as Nutzungsrechte (rights of use); nor is it merely the utilization rate. Rather, it characterizes the admissible options. In optimization problems, the aim is to choose x in U that optimizes a criterion, such as profit or cost. If the constraints are linear, the Nutzungsmenge is often a convex polytope, which has implications for the existence and properties of optimal solutions.

Examples help clarify the concept. A production planner might have a Nutzungsmenge defined by capacity limits and material availability, yielding a feasible region in the space of production quantities. In licensing, the Nutzungsmenge may comprise all permitted ways to use software or media, subject to contractual restrictions.

Overall, Nutzungsmenge provides a formal notion of what can be used or utilized within a given model, serving as the foundation for analysis, optimization and decision-making.