mathematical programming

Application of mathematical and computer programming techniques to the construction of deterministic models, principally for business and economics. For models that only require linear algebraic equations, the techniques are called linear programming; for models that require more complex equations, it is called nonlinear programming. In either case, models frequently involve hundreds or thousands of equations. The discipline emerged during World War II to solve large-scale military logistics problems. Mathematical programming is also used in planning civilian production and transportation schedules and in calculating economic growth.

Find more information on mathematical programming. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on mathematical programming.