This book is an introduction to the art and science of optimization

  modelling.  It covers the creation and analysis of practical

  algebraic models of optimization problems.  Typical problems

  include:

  - What is the best route to go from home to work?

  - What is the best way to produce cars?

  - What is the best way to distribute groceries?

  - What is the best way to pack a container?

  - What is the best fuel to use in rocket boosters?

  - What is the best placement of transistors on a chip?

  - What is the best basketball schedule?

  To answers such questions, researchers and practitioners have

  established a framework into which they mold the questions,

  clarifying meaning and enforcing precision; that is a model.

  Many textbooks cover the theory behind such models, along with their

  solution techniques. This book, the product of the author's decades

  of teaching and consulting, stresses the model creation aspect;

  contrasting alternate approaches and practical variations.

  The text can be used as an undergraduate text or a practitioner's

  reference.  Each model is explained thoroughly and written to be

  executed.  The source code from all examples in the book is

  available, written in Python using Google's OR-Tools library.

  Web site: http://www.practicalopt.com/

  Also available is a random problem generator, useful for individual

  study or class assignements.