Test sets of the knapsack problem and simultaneous diophantine approximation

Abstract

This paper deals with the study of test sets of the knapsack problem and simultaneous diophantine approximation. The Graver test set of the knapsack problem can be derived from minimal integral solutions of linear diophantine equations. We present best possible inequalities that must be satisfied by all minimal integral solutions of a linear diophantine equation and prove that for the corresponding cone the integer analogue of Caratheodory’s theorem applies when the numbers are divisible. We show that the elements of the minimal Hilbert basis of the dual cone of all minimal integral solutions of a linear diophantine equation yield best approximations of a rational vector "from above". A recursive algorithm for computing this Hilbert basis is discussed. We also outline an algorithm for determining a Hilbert basis of a family of cones associated with the knapsack problem.