# Linear programming with Python and PuLP

### What is PuLP?

From the official page:

PuLP is an LP modeler written in python. PuLP can generate MPS or LP files and call GLPK, COIN CLP/CBC, CPLEX, and GUROBI to solve linear problems.

### An example

We want to give a short example of how to solve a linear programming problem with Python. Among the options we chose the PuLP module developed by Stuart Mitchell.

A mechanics company can produce 2 different products using 4 departments. The maximum annual production capacity of the 4 departments in relation to the two types of product is the following:

This means, for example, that the moulding department has a maximum production capacity of 25,000 Product_A units if it operates exclusively on this product.

The same department has a maximum capacity of 35,000 units if it only works for Product_B.

What is the annual production (production mix) that maximizes the total net profit?

### Mathematical model

Variables

`x = produced units of Product_A; y = produced units of Product_B;`

Objective Function

`max z=300*x+250*y`

Constraints

`1.4*x+y ≤ 35000 0.51*x+y ≤ 17000 x ≤ 22500 y ≤ 15000 x ≥ 0 y ≥ 0`

### Solve with Python and PuLP

Pulp is a Python module that allows users to describe and solve linear programming problems. We found it very interesting because Pulp works entirely within the syntax and idioms of Python and provides Python objects that represent problems of optimization and decision variables also allowing constraints to be expressed in a way that is very similar to the original mathematical model.

Please refer to the documentation and examples on the use of PuLP.

`from pulp import * x = pulp.LpVariable("x", lowBound=0) y = pulp.LpVariable("y", lowBound=0) problem = pulp.LpProblem("A simple max problem", pulp.LpMaximize) problem += 300*x + 250*y, "The objective function" problem += 1.4*x + y <= 35000, "1st constraint"problem += 0.51*x + y <= 17000, "2nd constraint"problem += x <= 22500, "3rd constraint"problem += y <= 15000, "4th constraint"problem.solve()print "Optimal Result:"for variable in problem.variables():    print variable.name, "=", variable.varValueprint "Total net max profit:"print value(problem.objective)`
`Optimal Result:x = 20224.719y = 6685.3933Total net max profit:7738764.025`

Originally published at www.italiandirectory.ru on October 26, 2015.
The text passage describes a linear programming problem and provides a Python code example using the PuLP library to solve it. The problem is to find the optimal production mix of two products to maximize total net profit, given certain constraints.
single_question_with_answer
Given a text passage, determine:
    1. If it contains a mathematical question (including word problems or calculations)
    2. If an answer to that mathematical question is provided in the text

First, describe the content structure you found in 1-2 sentences.

Then provide your analysis in the following format:
TYPE: <one of the following values>
- NO_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS_WITH_ANSWERS
system
# Linear programming with Python and PuLP

### What is PuLP?

From the official page:

PuLP is an LP modeler written in python. PuLP can generate MPS or LP files and call GLPK, COIN CLP/CBC, CPLEX, and GUROBI to solve linear problems.

### An example

We want to give a short example of how to solve a linear programming problem with Python. Among the options we chose the PuLP module developed by Stuart Mitchell.

A mechanics company can produce 2 different products using 4 departments. The maximum annual production capacity of the 4 departments in relation to the two types of product is the following:

This means, for example, that the moulding department has a maximum production capacity of 25,000 Product_A units if it operates exclusively on this product.

The same department has a maximum capacity of 35,000 units if it only works for Product_B.

What is the annual production (production mix) that maximizes the total net profit?

### Mathematical model

Variables

`x = produced units of Product_A; y = produced units of Product_B;`

Objective Function

`max z=300*x+250*y`

Constraints

`1.4*x+y ≤ 35000 0.51*x+y ≤ 17000 x ≤ 22500 y ≤ 15000 x ≥ 0 y ≥ 0`

### Solve with Python and PuLP

Pulp is a Python module that allows users to describe and solve linear programming problems. We found it very interesting because Pulp works entirely within the syntax and idioms of Python and provides Python objects that represent problems of optimization and decision variables also allowing constraints to be expressed in a way that is very similar to the original mathematical model.

Please refer to the documentation and examples on the use of PuLP.

`from pulp import * x = pulp.LpVariable("x", lowBound=0) y = pulp.LpVariable("y", lowBound=0) problem = pulp.LpProblem("A simple max problem", pulp.LpMaximize) problem += 300*x + 250*y, "The objective function" problem += 1.4*x + y <= 35000, "1st constraint"problem += 0.51*x + y <= 17000, "2nd constraint"problem += x <= 22500, "3rd constraint"problem += y <= 15000, "4th constraint"problem.solve()print "Optimal Result:"for variable in problem.variables():    print variable.name, "=", variable.varValueprint "Total net max profit:"print value(problem.objective)`
`Optimal Result:x = 20224.719y = 6685.3933Total net max profit:7738764.025`

Originally published at www.italiandirectory.ru on October 26, 2015.
user
The text passage describes a linear programming problem and provides a Python code example using the PuLP library to solve it. The problem is to find the optimal production mix of two products to maximize total net profit, given certain constraints.

TYPE: SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER