All Questions
685 questions
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is a given point in the interior of the convex hull of a given finite collection of points?
Suppose I have the convex hull $P$ of a finite collection of points in $\mathbb{R}^d,$ and I want to see whether a point $p$ is contained in $P.$ This is a standard (some would say the standard linear ...
- 96.4k
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Computational complexity of unconstrained convex optimisation
What is known about the relationship between unconstrained convex optimisation and computational complexity? For example, for which optimisation problems and which gradient descent algorithms is one ...
- 561
7
votes
1
answer
360
views
Does the Hirsch conjecture hold for $n < 2d$?
The Hirsch conjecture asserts that the graph (i.e. $1$-skeleton) of a $d$-dimensional convex polytope with $n$ facets has diameter at most $n - d$.
After being open for decades, Francisco Santos has ...
- 7,857
7
votes
2
answers
242
views
Prove that $ n \leq d+1 $ under ordering constraints in $\mathbb{R}^d$
Let $x_1, \dotsc, x_n \in \mathbb{R}^d$ and $\theta_1, \dotsc, \theta_n \in \mathbb{R}^d$ be vectors such that for every $k \in [n]$, the following inequality holds:
$$
\langle x_k, \theta_k \rangle &...
7
votes
1
answer
422
views
Generalization of the equilateral triangle?
I consider points in the two-dimensional plane.
An equilateral triangle is a set of three points in the plane which are equidistant.
Suppose now I have $n$ points $x_1,...,x_n$. What is the ...
- 840
7
votes
3
answers
278
views
Solve $\inf_{ X: |X| \le a \text{ a.s.}} E \left[ \frac{1}{1+(X-X^\prime)^2} \right] $
I want to solve the following optimization problem
\begin{align}
\inf_{ X: |X| \le a \text{ a.s.}} E \left[ \frac{1}{1+(X-X^\prime)^2} \right]
\end{align}
where $X^\prime$ is an independent copy ...
- 671
7
votes
1
answer
819
views
Has this generalization of a determinant (assigning multiplicities to the rows) been studied?
I'm working on some questions in tropical geometry, and my problem led me to create the following generalization of a determinant:
Let $A$ be an $m \times n$ matrix with $m \le n$, and positive ...
- 1,509
7
votes
1
answer
374
views
Sampling uniformly from the vertices of a polytope
I'm looking for a reference on how to sample uniformly (and preferably efficiently, elegantly, etc.) from the vertices of a polytope. I gather that enumerating vertices is hard. I also note the MO ...
- 15.4k
7
votes
1
answer
224
views
A polytope with a bound on the sum of any $k$ variables
Let $2\le k\le n-1$ and define the polytope
$$P_k(n) = \lbrace (x_1,\ldots,x_n) \in \mathbb{R}^n :
-1\le x_{i_1}+\cdots +x_{i_k} \le 1 \text{ for all } 1\le i_1\lt\cdots\lt i_k\le n\rbrace.$$
There ...
- 37.7k
7
votes
1
answer
403
views
Does the plane clustered to minimize sum distances^2 to clusters centers ( inertia / "K-means") produce hexagonal clusters / hexagonal lattice?
"K-means" is the most simple and famous clustering algorithm, which has numerous applications.
For a given as an input number of clusters it segments set of points in R^n to that given number of ...
- 24.9k
7
votes
1
answer
386
views
Which zero-diagonal matrices contain the all-one vector in their columns' conic hull?
Let $A$ be a non-negative zero-diagonal invertible matrix. Which $A$ make the following assertions true, which are all equivalent:
The all-one vector $j$ is contained in the conic hull of $col(A)$.
...
- 81
7
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Closed-form solution of a linear programming question
Among all the probability matrices
\begin{equation*}
P =
\left(\begin{array}{cccc}
p_{00} & p_{01} & \ldots & p_{0,J-1} \\
p_{10} & p_{11} & \ldots & p_{1,J-1} \\
\vdots & \...
7
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Optimization over space of probability measures
Consider an optimization problem as follows:
$$
\min\mathbb E_w[f_0(w)] \mathrm{\,\,\,\,\,\ s.t.\,\,\,\,} E_w[f_i(w)]\leq 0 ,\,\,\, i=1,\dots, k
$$
where the maximum is taken over $\mathscr M$, ...
- 752
7
votes
0
answers
355
views
An $L^{\infty}$ version of principal component analysis?
I have a $k$ by $n$ matrix $A$, with $k \ll n$. In case it helps, the $k$ rows are orthonormal.
I'm interested in finding a $k$ by $k$ orthogonal matrix $M$ so as to maximize the $L^{\infty}$ norms ...
- 193
7
votes
0
answers
895
views
Maximizing the matrix norm
Hi all,
I wish to find a 3x3 rotation (orthogonal) matrix $\mathbf{R}$ such that it maximizes the following matrix norm:
$||\mathbf{A} \mathbf{D}_r \mathbf{D}_b ||_2$
where $\mathbf{A}$ is a known $...
- 113
6
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Circumference of Convex Shapes
Here is a puzzle I found in Mitteilungen der DMV (roughly, "Letters of the German Society of Mathematicians"), issue 19/2011. It was posed by Alfred Schreiber in "Wie man Hasen fangt" (How to catch ...
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Linear programming is continuous
Consider an arbitrary linear program:
$$\max \vec c \cdot \vec x$$
subject to:
$$\textbf{A}\cdot \vec x = 0, \quad \vec a \le \vec x \le \vec b$$
Assume that this program is feasible and bounded. ...
- 884
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Non-negative quadratic maximization
For a given symmetric and positive semidefinite $n \times n$ matrix $A$, we want to solve the problem $$\max_{||x|| = 1, \ x\geq 0} x^T A x.$$
Here, $x\geq 0$ indicates that $x$ must be component-wise ...
- 93
6
votes
1
answer
761
views
Checking if one polytope is contained in another
I have two sets of inequalities, say, $Ax \leq 0$ and $Bx \leq 0$. I would like to know if they both define the same polytope. Or, even, whether one is contained in the other.
At the moment I am ...
- 491
6
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Existence/Uniqueness of Nonnegative Solutions of Linear Systems of Equations
Suppose we have an $m$x$n$ matrix $A$, with $m\lt n$, and an $m$x$1$ vector $b$. Are there existence and uniqueness conditions characterizing nonnegative solutions of the system of linear equations $...
6
votes
2
answers
766
views
Getting started: combinatorial optimization for computer scientists
I have a background in computer science and I am starting to work on some problems those are basically combinatorial optimization problems.
I have good knowleges of graphs, *-flow algorithms and so ...
- 165
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
A simple infinite dimensional optimization problem
I'd be grateful for a reference for the following result, which I believe to be true, and
should be well-known.
Let the continuous functions $f_0,f_1,\cdots,f_n: [0,1]\rightarrow [0,\infty)$ be ...
- 520
6
votes
1
answer
609
views
Attempt at applying linear programming to the partial sums of the Möbius inverse of the Harmonic numbers
Let $a(n)$ be the Dirichlet inverse of the Euler totient function:
$$a(n) = \sum\limits_{d|n} d \cdot \mu(d) \tag{1}$$
and let the matrix $T(n,k)$ be:
$$T(n,k)=a(\gcd(n,k)) \tag{2}$$
It has been ...
- 1,183
6
votes
1
answer
861
views
Is Binary Integer Linear Programming solvable in polynomial time?
The paper Solving the Binary Linear Programming Model in Polynomial Time claims that Binary Integer Linear Programming is in P. However, it seems that no subsequent literature in the mainstream has ...
- 221
6
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Maximum flow with negative capacities?
I'm trying to compute an (s-t) maximum flow through a network which includes a number of arc pairs ((u,v), (v,u)) that have equal, negative capacities (weights). I'm not aware of any efficient ...
- 83
6
votes
1
answer
779
views
If $\ell_0$ regularization can be done via the proximal operator, why are people still using LASSO?
I have just learned that a general framework in constrained optimization is called "proximal gradient optimization". It is interesting that the $\ell_0$ "norm" is also associated with a proximal ...
6
votes
2
answers
8k
views
How to fit the parameters of differential equations with known data?
I have the following data from chemical kinetics research to fit the parameters of ordinary differential equations:
$$
\left[
\begin{array}{ccccccc}
\text{No.}& t & y_1(t)&y_2(t) & ...
- 197
6
votes
1
answer
263
views
Algorithm that solves every Mixed Integer Linear Program (to optimality)?
Given a Mixed Integer Linear Program with rational coefficients (both for the objective functions and all constraints), is it always possible to solve it algorithmically?
I know that you usually ...
- 1,282
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Speed up Linear programming
I have a linear programming problem like this:
minimize $c^t X$
under the constraint that $AX \ge b$.
I will need to solve this linear programming problem online many times. I need it to be as fast ...
- 83
6
votes
0
answers
97
views
Finding the optimal mixture of two convex functions
I am trying to find an efficient way to solve the problem $$\min_{p,x_1,x_2} p\cdot f(x_1)+ (1-p) \cdot f(x_2)~~~~~ s.t.\\p\cdot g_1(x_1) + (1-p)\cdot g_2(x_2)\leq 1 \\ 0\leq p \leq 1$$ where $x_1,x_2\...
6
votes
0
answers
317
views
Variant of orthogonal Procrustes problem
The orthogonal Procrustes problem seeks a matrix $M$ that minimizes $||AM-B||_F$ subject to $M^TM=I$, where $M$ is $d\times d$ and both $A$ and $B$ are $n\times d$. Geometrically, $M$ rotates a set of ...
- 61
5
votes
2
answers
597
views
Gandhi's quote formalized [closed]
Hello,
I hope this question is appropriate for Mathoverflow. Gandhi said, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world". I don't understand anything in Game/optimization theory (I don't know ...
- 5,562
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Multiplicative gradient descent?
The normal gradient descent is additive: $w_{t+1}=w_t-\lambda_t\nabla f(w_t)$, but is there a multiplicative gradient descent that looks something like $w_{t+1}=w_t[-\lambda_t\nabla f(w_t)]$?
I know ...
- 211
5
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Continuous Linear Programming: Estimating a Solution
I have a "continuous" linear programming problem that involves maximizing a linear function over a curved convex space. In typical LP problems, the convex space is a polytope, but in this case the ...
- 373
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Algorithm for the intersection of a vector subspace with a cone of non-negative vectors
Hi,
I would like to know whether there is some more effective way of how to compute an intersection of a vector subspace of $\mathbb{R}^{n}$ with a cone of vectors with non-negative entries than the ...
5
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Linear programming - uniqueness of optimal solution
Is it possible to build such an objective function for a given set of constraints, so that there will be only one optimal solution?
My general problem is to get any vertex of a polytope formed by a ...
- 85
5
votes
1
answer
330
views
Compactness of a semi algebraic set
Suppose I have a polynomial $p\in R[x_1,\ldots,x_n]$ and I look at the set $S:=\{ x\in R^n : p(x)\geq 0\}$. Are there algebraic certificates on $p$ that will certify that $S$ is compact?
- 65
5
votes
1
answer
384
views
Examples of Polyhedra with Large Shadows
Let $P \subseteq \mathbb{R}^n$ be a polyhedron described by $\mathcal{O}(n^{c_1})$ inequalities, where $c_1$ is a constant. Moreover, let $M\colon P \to \mathbb{R}^2$ be a linear mapping. I'm looking ...
- 321
5
votes
1
answer
183
views
Resource Constrained Routing with Refueling
What are good algorithms (resp. models) for calculating optimal or near optimal routes while taking into account fuel consumption, options for refueling and, limited tank capacity?
Especially modeling ...
- 13.2k
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Bounding the minimal maximum norm of a solution of a linear system.
I would be grateful for pointing me out a reference to some general bound on the $\ell_{\infty}$ norm of a solution of a linear system. To be specific, suppose that we have an underdetermined linear ...
- 191
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Applications of minmax theorem(s)
Intro We suppose $X$ and $Y$ are nonempty sets and f: $X\times Y \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$. A minimax theorem is a theorem that asserts that, under certain conditions,
$$ \inf_Y \sup_X f = \sup_X \...
5
votes
1
answer
106
views
Two fold optimization: is there an established approach for this kind of problem?
I have a list of thousands of linear expressions, with less than 100 total variables. Each expression is associated with a positive point value. I want to make as many of the expressions greater than ...
- 51
5
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Convergence rate of stochastic gradient decent with projections
Given a strong (not only strict) convex function $f: \mathbb{R}^n\to\mathbb{R}$. On such problems, stochastic gradient decent (SGD) has a convergence rate of $O(1/T)$, where $T$ is the number of ...
- 619
5
votes
2
answers
584
views
Continuous Transportation Problem
Hi all, I'm trying to formulate an infinite linear program to prove optimality (via duality) for the Continuous Transportation Problem, e.g. the Kantorovich-Wasserstein distance. This is the ...
- 133
5
votes
1
answer
394
views
Explicit Formula of Delsarte's Linear Programming Upper Bound for $A_q(n,3)$
The problem of giving an explicit formula for $A_q(n,d)$ is sometimes referred to as "the main problem in coding theory." The value of $A_q(n,d)$ is given by the maximum number of codewords in a q-ary ...
- 297
5
votes
1
answer
566
views
Maximum entropy distribution with constrained quantiles
Suppose we have a continuous probability distribution with density function $f$ whose support is $[a,b]$ and we know that for some finite set of values $\{ v_i \}_{i=1}^n$ between $a$ and $b$ that the ...
- 151
5
votes
1
answer
725
views
Optimization of a function of a positive definite matrix and its inverse
This question is a little ill-posed, but I've been playing with some equations and am just wondering if this resembles any known problems that have been solved.
Suppose I have two real, positive ...
- 51
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Algorithm to minimally connect line segments in Euclidean plane
Suppose you have finitely many line segments in the Euclidean plane. How do you "connect them to form one chain of line segments of minimal length?"
More formally and generally, what I'm looking for ...
- 153
5
votes
1
answer
271
views
Feasibility of linear programs
It's known that finding the intersection of n halfplanes in 2-d takes $\Omega(n\log n)$ time. Does the lower bound apply if we change the question to deciding whether the intersection is non-empty?
- 201
5
votes
1
answer
176
views
Efficient counting of integer solutions to linear system
In my research, I have a particular 18x18 matrix $\mathbf{A}$ which defines the linear system $\mathbf{A}\cdot \mathbf{x} \leq \mathbf{-1}$ over the nonnegative integers. And I'm interested in ...
- 151