Päätösmuuttujia

Päätösmuuttujia, known in English as decision variables, are fundamental components in mathematical optimization problems. They represent the quantities that an optimizer can control or adjust to achieve a desired outcome. In essence, these are the unknowns that the optimization process seeks to determine.

The values of decision variables are subject to certain constraints, which define the feasible region of possible solutions. For example, in a production planning problem, decision variables might represent the number of units of different products to manufacture. Constraints could include limitations on available raw materials, production capacity, or market demand. The goal of the optimization is typically to maximize profit or minimize cost, which is achieved by finding the optimal values for these decision variables.

Decision variables can be continuous, meaning they can take any real value within a given range, or discrete, meaning they can only take specific, often integer, values. The type of decision variable significantly influences the mathematical techniques used to solve the optimization problem. For instance, problems with continuous decision variables are often solved using linear or nonlinear programming, while problems with discrete decision variables might require integer programming or combinatorial optimization methods. The careful definition and formulation of decision variables are crucial for setting up a solvable and meaningful optimization model.