Skip to main content
Log in

On the Global Optimization of Sums of Linear Fractional Functions over a Convex Set

  • Published:
Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The global optimization of the sum of linear fractional functions has attracted the interest of researchers and practitioners for a number of years. Since these types of optimization problems are nonconvex, various specialized algorithms have been proposed for globally solving these problems. However, these algorithms may be difficult to implement and are usually relatively inaccessible. In this article, we show that, by using suitable transformations, a number of potential and known methods for globally solving these problems become available. These methods are often more accessible and use more standard tools than the customized algorithms proposed to date. They include, for example, parametric convex programming and concave minimization methods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. SCHAIBLE, S., A Note on the Sum of a Linear and Linear-Fractional Function, Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, Vol.24, 691–693, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  2. ALMOGY, Y., and LEVIN, O., Parametric Analysis of a Multistage Stochastic Shipping Problem, Operational Research 69, Edited by J. Lawrence, Tavistock Publications, London, England, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  3. FALK, J. E., and PALOCSAY, S. W., Optimizing the Sum of Linear Fractional Functions, Recent Advances in Global Optimization, Edited by C. A. Floudas, and P. M. Pardalos, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  4. COLANTONI, C. S., MANES, R. P., and WHINSTON, A., Programming, Profit Rates, and Pricing Decisions, Accounting Review, Vol.44, 467–481, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  5. KONNO, H., and INORI, M., Bond Portfolio Optimization by Bilinear Fractional Programming, Journal of the Operations Research Society of Japan, Vol.32, 143–158, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  6. KONNO, H., and WATANABE, H., Bond Portfolio Optimization Problems and Their Applications to Index Tracking: A Partial Optimization Approach, Journal of the Operations Research Society of Japan, Vol.39, 295–306, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  7. CAMBINI, A., MARTEIN, L., and SCHAIBLE, S., On Maximizing a Sum of Ratios, Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences, Vol.10, 65–79, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  8. KONNO, H., YAJIMA, Y., and MATSUI, T., Parametric Simplex Algorithms for Solving a Special Class of Nonconvex Minimization Problems, Journal of Global Optimization, Vol.1, 65–81, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  9. FALK, J. E., and PALOCSAY, S. W., Image Space Analysis of Generalized Fractional Programs, Journal of Global Optimization, Vol.4, 63–88, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  10. KONNO, H., KUNO, T., and YAJIMA, Y., Global Minimization of a Generalized Convex Multiplicative Function, Journal of Global Optimization, Vol.4, 47–62, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  11. BENSON, H. P., Concave Minimization: Theory, Applications, and Algorithms, Handbook of Global Optimization, Edited by R. Horst and P. M. Pardalos, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  12. BENSON, H. P., Deterministic Algorithms for Constrained Concave Minimization: A Unified Critical Survey, Naval Research Logistics, Vol.43, 765–795, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  13. QUESADA, I., and GROSSMANN, I., A Global Optimization Algorithm for Linear Fractional and Bilinear Programs, Journal of Global Optimization, Vol.6, 39–76, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  14. KONNO, H., and YAMASHITA, H., Minimizing Sums and Products of Linear Fractional Functions over a Polytope, Naval Research Logistics, Vol.46, 583–596, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  15. KONNO, H., and ABE, N., Minimization of the Sum of Three Linear Fractional Functions, Journal of Global Optimization, Vol.15, 419–432, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  16. KONNO, H., and FUKAISHI, K., A Branch-and-Bound Algorithm for Solving Low-Rank Linear Multiplicative and Fractional Programming Problems, Journal of Global Optimization, Vol.18, 283–299, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  17. ANDROULAKIS, I. P., MARANAS, C. D., and FLOUDAS, C. A., αBB: A Global Optimization Method for General Constrained Nonconvex Problems, Journal of Global Optimization, Vol.7, 337–363, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  18. KUNO, T., A Branch-and-Bound Algorithm for Maximizing the Sum of Several Linear Ratios, Journal of Global Optimization, Vol.22, 155–174, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  19. CHEN, D. Z., DAESCU, O., DAI, Y., KATOH, N., WU, X., and XU, J., Optimizing the Sum of Linear Fractional Functions and Applications, Proceedings of the 11th ACM/SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms, 2000.

  20. SCHAIBLE, S., Fractional Programming with Sums of Ratios, Scalar and Vector Optimization in Economic and Financial Problems, Proceedings of the Workshop in Milan, Italy, 1995; Edited by E. Castagnoli, and G. Giorgi, Elioprint, Milano, Italy, 1996.

  21. SCHAIBLE, S., Fractional Programming, Handbook of Global Optimization, Edited by R. Horst and P. M. Pardalos, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  22. BENSON, H. P., Generating Sum-of-Ratios Test Problems in Global Optimization, Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Vol.119, 615–621, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  23. CHARNES, A., and COOPER, W. W., Programming with Linear Fractional Functionals, Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, Vol.19, 181–186, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  24. HORST, R., and THOAI, N. V., Decomposition Approach for the Global Minimization of Biconcave Functions over Polytopes, Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Vol.88, 561–583, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  25. MANGASARIAN, O. L., Nonlinear Programming, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  26. HORST, R., and PARDALOS, P. M., Editors, Handbook of Global Optimization, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  27. ROCKAFELLAR, R. T., Convex Analysis, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  28. HORST, R., and TUY, H., Global Optimization: Deterministic Approaches, 2nd Edition, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  29. HORST, R., An Algorithm for Nonconvex Programming Problems, Mathematical Programming, Vol.10, 312–321, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  30. FLOUDAS, C. A., and VISWESWARAN, V., Primal-Relaxed Dual Global Optimization Approach, Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Vol.78, 187–225, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Benson, H.P. On the Global Optimization of Sums of Linear Fractional Functions over a Convex Set. Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications 121, 19–39 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOTA.0000026129.07165.5a

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOTA.0000026129.07165.5a

Navigation