Combinatorial Optimization in Action

Abstract

Combinatorial optimization exploded on the mathematical and scientific scene in the 1950s. In this lecture I will briefly survey its development for a wide audience. Theoretical design and analysis of algorithms dominated the early development of the field, while computational progress has been particularly significant in the last twenty years. These theoretical and computational achievements, combined with successful modeling of applications, have made it possible today to solve real-world problems of breathtaking size and diversity. The majority of the lecture will report on success stories in areas such as telecommunication, transportation, traffic and logistics. These results are based on ongoing cooperation between industry, the DFG Research Center MATHEON and my research group at Konrad-Zuse-Zentrum (ZIB).