Quadratic Assignment Problem - Formal Mathematical Definition

Formal Mathematical Definition

The formal definition of the quadratic assignment problem is as follows:

Given two sets, P ("facilities") and L ("locations"), of equal size, together with a weight function w : P × PR and a distance function d : L × LR. Find the bijection f : PL ("assignment") such that the cost function:
is minimized.

Usually weight and distance functions are viewed as square real-valued matrices, so that the cost function is written down as:

Read more about this topic:  Quadratic Assignment Problem

Famous quotes containing the words formal, mathematical and/or definition:

    Then the justice,
    In fair round belly with good capon lined,
    With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
    Full of wise saws and modern instances;
    And so he plays his part.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    The most distinct and beautiful statement of any truth must take at last the mathematical form.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Beauty, like all other qualities presented to human experience, is relative; and the definition of it becomes unmeaning and useless in proportion to its abstractness. To define beauty not in the most abstract, but in the most concrete terms possible, not to find a universal formula for it, but the formula which expresses most adequately this or that special manifestation of it, is the aim of the true student of aesthetics.
    Walter Pater (1839–1894)