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Operations Research

This topic is about how constraints shape better decisions.

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About this topic

Operations research uses mathematical models to choose routes, allocate resources, schedule work and make better decisions under constraints.

This strand should feel practical and mathematical at the same time: define the problem clearly, then explore what the constraints allow.

Explore this through linear programming and feasible regions, routing problems and the travelling salesperson problem, scheduling, bottlenecks and resource allocation.

Further exploration

Look up: linear programming

Explore next: travelling salesperson problem

Try searching for: network flow optimisation