How to enforce a Square number constraint in Microsoft Solver foundation OML?

Question

I want to limit the result to only square numbers ( I am using excel plugin). How do I enforce this?

As in, Minimize Goal X subject to a condition that X is a square number.

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 08 '10 at 00:35

2

Create an adjustable cell, Y and restrict it to be an integer. Set the equation that you are trying to minimize equal to Y^2.

answered Aug 08 '10 at 00:35

Mark

Thanks a bunch! Even though you mistook that I am working on Excel Solver plugin (I was actually trying to solve this using Microsoft Solver Foundation http://www.amsterdamoptimization.com/msf.html) But the idea helped though!! I used your suggestion in OML and it worked! For others looking for a similar solution in OML, simply add another decision Y of Integer domain and add a constraint that Y = X*X. Like this: Model[ Decisions[ .... ], Decisions[ Integers[10000,31622],y ], Constraints[ x == y*y, ... ] ] – Benny Aug 08 '10 at 05:25

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 08 '10 at 05:37

2

Mark's answer helped. The solution in OML would look like

Model[ 

Decisions[ .... ],  

Decisions[  
Integers[10000,31622],y  
],  

Constraints[  
x == y*y,  
... ]  

]

answered Aug 08 '10 at 05:37

Benny

2 Answers2