Crossword puzzles are a popular pastime. We design and build Mixed Integer Linear Programming models to compile crossword puzzles.
This series of 13 articles compares Python libraries Pyomo, PuLP, OR-Tools, Gekko, CVXPY, and SciPy for building a linear programming model.
Given available stock of wire and a list of pieces required, what is the best way to cut the stock to fulfil demand while minimizing waste?
Bin packing is a common optimization problem. A new formulation helps us solve a simple, yet difficult to solve, bin packing model.
We replicate a wood cutting pattern model from a published academic paper. Surprisingly, we find a better optimal solution.
To compare optimization modelling in Excel and Python, we replicate a Python model then compare it with an equivalent Excel implementation.
We estimate the speed improvement for optimization solvers in the 35 years from 1989 to 2024. The results may be surprising.
We experiment with the new Python in Excel feature, building and solving a linear program using the Python SciPy library.
