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Describe The Assignment Problem and A Common Method Used To Solve It

The assignment problem is a combinatorial optimization challenge focused on assigning tasks to agents to minimize total costs or maximize profits, with each task and agent being paired uniquely. The Hungarian Algorithm is a widely used method to solve this problem, involving systematic adjustments to a cost matrix to find optimal assignments. Applications of the assignment problem include job scheduling, resource allocation, travel planning, and matching problems.

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15 views4 pages

Describe The Assignment Problem and A Common Method Used To Solve It

The assignment problem is a combinatorial optimization challenge focused on assigning tasks to agents to minimize total costs or maximize profits, with each task and agent being paired uniquely. The Hungarian Algorithm is a widely used method to solve this problem, involving systematic adjustments to a cost matrix to find optimal assignments. Applications of the assignment problem include job scheduling, resource allocation, travel planning, and matching problems.

Uploaded by

thaaraaa.8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3.

Describe the assignment problem and a common method


used to solve it.
Sol :

The assignment problem is a type of combinatorial optimization problem where


the goal is to allocate a set of tasks to a set of agents in such a way that the total
cost or time is minimized (or profit maximized), given that each task is assigned to
exactly one agent and each agent can be assigned to exactly one task.

Key Features of the Assignment Problem

1. Objective: Minimize the total cost or maximize the total profit of


assignments.
2. Constraints:Each agent performs only one task, and each task is performed
by only one agent.
3. Input:A cost matrix (or profit matrix) where each element represents the
cost or profit associated with assigning a particular agent to a particular task.
4. Output:An optimal assignment that achieves the minimum total cost or
maximum total profit.

Mathematical Formulation

Let nnn be the number of tasks and agents. We represent the assignment problem
using a cost matrix CCC, where CijC_{ij}Cij denotes the cost of assigning agent iii
to task jjj.

The objective is to find a permutation of assignments that minimizes the total cost.
Formally, we are looking to solve:

Minimize ∑i=1n∑j=1nxijCij\text{Minimize } \sum_{i=1}^n \sum_{j=1}^n x_{ij}


C_{ij}Minimize i=1∑nj=1∑nxijCij

subject to:

∑j=1nxij=1 for all i\sum_{j=1}^n x_{ij} = 1 \text{ for all } ij=1∑nxij


=1 for all i∑i=1nxij=1 for all j\sum_{i=1}^n x_{ij} = 1 \text{ for all } ji=1∑nxij
=1 for all jxij∈{0,1}x_{ij} \in \{0, 1\}xij∈{0,1}

where xijx_{ij}xij is a binary decision variable equal to 1 if agent iii is assigned to


task jjj, and 0 otherwise.
Common Methods to Solve the Assignment Problem

One of the most widely used methods to solve the assignment problem is the
Hungarian Algorithm. This method is known for its efficiency and effectiveness
in finding the optimal solution for assignment problems.

Hungarian Algorithm Overview

The Hungarian Algorithm, also known as the Munkres or Kuhn-Munkres


Algorithm, is specifically designed for solving assignment problems. It finds the
optimal assignment by systematically reducing the cost matrix and iterating
towards the minimum cost solution. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of the
Hungarian Algorithm:

1. Construct the Cost Matrix:Begin with the cost matrix CCC.


2. Subtract Row Minima:Subtract the smallest value in each row from all the
elements of that row.

Cij′=Cij−min jCijC'_{ij} = C_{ij} - \min_j C_{ij}Cij′=Cij−jminCij

3. Subtract Column Minima:After adjusting rows, subtract the smallest value


in each column from all the elements of that column.

Cij′′=Cij′−min iCij′C''_{ij} = C'_{ij} - \min_i C'_{ij}Cij′′=Cij′−iminCij′

4. Cover All Zeros with Minimum Number of Lines:Cover all zeros in the
adjusted matrix using the minimum number of horizontal and vertical lines.
5. Create Additional Zeros:If the minimum number of lines required to cover
all zeros is equal to the size of the matrix, then an optimal assignment exists
among the zeros. If not, modify the matrix as follows:
o Find the smallest uncovered value.
o Subtract this value from all uncovered elements and add it to the
elements covered twice.
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5: Continue covering zeros and adjusting the matrix
until the number of lines equals the matrix size.
7. Construct the Optimal Assignment:After achieving the condition in step
5, construct the optimal assignment from the zeroes.
Example of the Hungarian Algorithm

Let’s illustrate the Hungarian Algorithm with a simple example:

Suppose you have the following cost matrix for assigning 3 agents to 3 tasks:

Cost Matrix Task 1 Task 2 Task 3

Agent 1 4 2 5

Agent 2 6 3 4

Agent 3 8 7 9

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Subtract Row Minima:


2. Subtract Column Minima:
3. Cover Zeros and Create Additional Zeros:

Cover zeros using the minimum number of lines (horizontal and vertical).

4. Construct the Optimal Assignment:

After covering and adjusting the matrix, you would find the optimal
assignment for the minimal cost.

Suppose the resulting assignment from the matrix is:

o Agent 1 to Task 2
o Agent 2 to Task 3
o Agent 3 to Task 1

You can verify that this assignment indeed results in the minimum total cost.

Applications of the Assignment Problem

The assignment problem has a broad range of applications, including:

 Job Scheduling:Assigning workers to jobs or shifts.


 Resource Allocation:Assigning resources to tasks in production processes.
 Travel Planning:Assigning tasks or routes to agents for delivery or travel.
 Matching Problems:Matching students to schools or tasks to facilities.

Conclusion

The assignment problem is a crucial combinatorial optimization problem that


involves allocating tasks to agents in a cost-efficient manner. The Hungarian
Algorithm is the most common and efficient method for solving this problem,
providing a systematic way to find the optimal assignment solution. Its
applications span various fields, making it a valuable tool in both theoretical and
practical contexts.

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