This module does not study any specific combinatorial optimization problem. Instead, it introduces a central feature of linear programming, duality.
Steiner Forest and Primal-Dual Approximation Algorithms
This module uses linear programming duality to design an algorithm for another basic problem, the Steiner forest problem.
Facility Location and Primal-Dual Approximation Algorithms
This module continues teaching algorithmic applications of linear programming duality by applying it to another basic problem, the facility location problem.
Maximum Cut and Semi-Definite Programming
We introduce a generalization of linear programming, semi-definite programming.This module uses semi-definite programming to design an approximation algorithm for another basic problem, the maximum cut problem.