On convex envelopes and underestimators for bivariate functions

In this paper we discuss convex underestimators for bivariate functions. We first present a method for deriving convex envelopes over the simplest two-dimensional polytopes, i.e., triangles. Next, we propose a technique to compute the value at some point of the convex envelope over a general two-dimensional polytope, together with a supporting hyperplane of the convex … Read more

Most tensor problems are NP-hard

We show that multilinear (tensor) analogues of many efficiently computable problems in numerical linear algebra are NP-hard. Our list here includes: determining the feasibility of a system of bilinear equations, deciding whether a tensor possesses a given eigenvalue, singular value, or spectral norm; approximating an eigenvalue, eigenvector, singular vector, or spectral norm; determining a best … Read more

A Facial Reduction Algorithm for Finding Sparse SOS Representations

Facial reduction algorithm reduces the size of the positive semidefinite cone in SDP. The elimination method for a sparse SOS polynomial ([3]) removes unnecessary monomials for an SOS representation. In this paper, we establish a relationship between a facial reduction algorithm and the elimination method for a sparse SOS polynomial. Citation Technical Report CS-09-02, Department … Read more

Quadratic factorization heuristics for copositive programming

Copositive optimization problems are particular conic programs: extremize linear forms over the copositive cone subject to linear constraints. Every quadratic program with linear constraints can be formulated as a copositive program, even if some of the variables are binary. So this is an NP-hard problem class. While most methods try to approximate the copositive cone … Read more

Optimizing radial basis functions by D.C. programming and its use in direct search for global derivative-free optimization

In this paper we address the global optimization of functions subject to bound and linear constraints without using derivatives of the objective function. We investigate the use of derivative-free models based on radial basis functions (RBFs) in the search step of direct-search methods of directional type. We also study the application of algorithms based on … Read more

Biased random-key genetic algorithms for combinatorial optimization

Random-key genetic algorithms were introduced by Bean (1994) for solving sequencing problems in combinatorial optimization. Since then, they have been extended to handle a wide class of combinatorial optimization problems. This paper presents a tutorial on the implementation and use of biased random-key genetic algorithms for solving combinatorial optimization problems. Biased random-key genetic algorithms are … Read more

A continuous model for open pit mine planning

This paper proposes a new mathematical model for the open pit mine planning problem, based on continuous functional analysis. The traditional models for this problem have been constructed by using discrete 0-1 decision variables, giving rise to large-scale combinatorial and Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) problems. Instead, we use a continuous approach which allows for a … Read more

Applying a global optimisation algorithm to Fund of Hedge Funds portfolio optimisation

Portfolio optimisation for a Fund of Hedge Funds (“FoHF”) has to address the asymmetric, non-Gaussian nature of the underlying returns distributions. Furthermore, the objective functions and constraints are not necessarily convex or even smooth. Therefore traditional portfolio optimisation methods such as mean-variance optimisation are not appropriate for such problems and global search optimisation algorithms could … Read more

GRASP with path relinking heuristics for the antibandwidth problem

This paper proposes a linear integer programming formulation and several heuristics based on GRASP and path relinking for the antibandwidth problem. In the antibandwidth problem, one is given an undirected graph with N nodes and must label the nodes in a way that each node receives a unique label from the set {1, 2, …, … Read more

Standard Bi-Quadratic Optimization Problems and Unconstrained Polynomial Reformulations

A so-called Standard Bi-Quadratic Optimization Problem (StBQP) consists in minimizing a bi-quadratic form over the Cartesian product of two simplices (so this is different from a Bi-Standard QP where a quadratic function is minimized over the same set). An application example arises in portfolio selection. In this paper we present a bi-quartic formulation of StBQP, … Read more