Introduction to Operational Research – SS2 Further Mathematics Lesson Note (Second Term)

Operations research is an area of study which applies mathematics and statistics to problems of management, industry, business, commerce, organisation and production. It deals with the effective management of man and machine systems in any business enterprise or organisation, to minimise cost and maximise profit.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define operations research;
• list the major steps taken in operations research;
• explain what a mathematical model is and give an example;
• name some models of operations research;
• name the most popular methods for solving programming models.

Why is operations research studied?

Operations research is a scientific method of optimally allocating scarce resources for effective management decision-making.

It is now a recognised and respected field of study in colleges and universities the world over, because it is a powerful tool for solving problems of man and his scarce resources. It started during the Second World War, in military operations, to enhance efficiency.

What are the major steps taken in operations research?

1. Identification and formulation of the problem at hand.
2. Construction of a (mathematical) model for solving the problem.
3. Analysing or solving the model.
4. Drawing conclusions from the solution to the model.
5. Implementation of the findings or results.

What are the models of operations research?

A model is an ideal representation of a real-life situation. A mathematical model is any system of definitions, assumptions, equations and/or inequalities set up to analyse a natural phenomenon.

An example of a mathematical model is the simple equations of motion of a particle along a straight line. In operations research, mathematical models are constructed to solve problems involving decision-making.

Some models of operations research include:

1. Linear programming models
2. Transportation models
3. Assignment models

The most popular methods for solving these programming models are:

1. Graphical method
2. Simplex method

Evaluation

1. Define operations research.
2. List the five major steps taken in operations research.
3. What is a mathematical model? Give one example.
4. Name three models of operations research.

Assignment

1. State two reasons why operations research is studied in colleges and universities.
2. Name the two most popular methods for solving programming models.