Multi-objective optimization: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==
{{See also|Pareto order}}
A multi-objective optimization problem is an [[optimization problem]] that involves multiple objective functions.<ref name="Miettinen1999" /><ref name="HwangMasud1979" /><ref name=hassanzadeh>{{cite journal |last1=Hassanzadeh |first1=Hamidreza |last2=Rouhani |first2=Modjtaba |title=A multi-objective gravitational search algorithm |journal=In Computational Intelligence, Communication Systems and Networks (CICSyN) |date=2010 |pages=7–12}}</ref> In mathematical terms, a multi-objective optimization problem can be formulated as
: <math>
\min_{x \in X} (f_1(x), f_2(x),\ldots, f_k(x))
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{{Main article|Optimal control|Dynamic programming|Linear-quadratic regulator}}
 
In [[engineering]] and [[economics]], many problems involve multiple objectives which are not describable as the-more-the-better or the-less-the-better; instead, there is an ideal target value for each objective, and the desire is to get as close as possible to the desired value of each objective. For example, energy systems typically have a trade-off between performance and cost<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Shirazi |first1=Ali |last2=Najafi |first2=Behzad |last3=Aminyavari |first3=Mehdi |last4=Rinaldi |first4=Fabio |last5=Taylor |first5=Robert A. |date=2014-05-01 |title=Thermal–economic–environmental analysis and multi-objective optimization of an ice thermal energy storage system for gas turbine cycle inlet air cooling |journal=Energy |volume=69 |pages=212–226 |doi=10.1016/j.energy.2014.02.071 |hdl=11311/845828 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2014Ene....69..212S |hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Najafi |first1=Behzad |last2=Shirazi |first2=Ali |last3=Aminyavari |first3=Mehdi |last4=Rinaldi |first4=Fabio |last5=Taylor |first5=Robert A. |date=2014-02-03 |title=Exergetic, economic and environmental analyses and multi-objective optimization of an SOFC-gas turbine hybrid cycle coupled with an MSF desalination system |journal=Desalination |volume=334 |issue=1 |pages=46–59 |doi=10.1016/j.desal.2013.11.039 |hdl=11311/764704 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2014Desal.334...46N |hdl-access=free}}</ref> or one might want to adjust a rocket's fuel usage and orientation so that it arrives both at a specified place and at a specified time; or one might want to conduct [[open market operations]] so that both the [[inflation rate]] and the [[unemployment rate]] are as close as possible to their desired values.
 
Often such problems are subject to linear equality constraints that prevent all objectives from being simultaneously perfectly met, especially when the number of controllable variables is less than the number of objectives and when the presence of random shocks generates uncertainty. Commonly a multi-objective [[quadratic function#Bivariate (two variable) quadratic function|quadratic objective function]] is used, with the cost associated with an objective rising quadratically with the distance of the objective from its ideal value. Since these problems typically involve adjusting the controlled variables at various points in time and/or evaluating the objectives at various points in time, [[intertemporal optimization]] techniques are employed.<ref>{{cite book |doi=10.1109/IECON.2009.5415056 |isbn=978-1-4244-4648-3 |chapter=Chaos rejection and optimal dynamic response for boost converter using SPEA multi-objective optimization approach |title=2009 35th Annual Conference of IEEE Industrial Electronics |pages=3315–3322 |year=2009 |last1=Rafiei |first1=S. M. R. |last2=Amirahmadi |first2=A. |last3=Griva |first3=G. |s2cid=2539380 }}</ref>
 
===Optimal design===
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Product and process design can be largely improved using modern modeling, simulation, and optimization techniques.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} The key question in optimal design is measuring what is good or desirable about a design. Before looking for optimal designs, it is important to identify characteristics that contribute the most to the overall value of the design. A good design typically involves multiple criteria/objectives such as capital cost/investment, operating cost, profit, quality and/or product recovery, efficiency, process safety, operation time, etc. Therefore, in practical applications, the performance of process and product design is often measured with respect to multiple objectives. These objectives are typically conflicting, i.e., achieving the optimal value for one objective requires some compromise on one or more objectives.
 
For example, when designing a paper mill, one can seek to decrease the amount of capital invested in a paper mill and enhance the quality of paper simultaneously. If the design of a paper mill is defined by large storage volumes and paper quality is defined by quality parameters, then the problem of optimal design of a paper mill can include objectives such as i) minimization of expected variation of those quality parameters from their nominal values, ii) minimization of the expected time of breaks and iii) minimization of the investment cost of storage volumes. Here, the maximum volume of towers is a design variable. This example of optimal design of a paper mill is a simplification of the model used in.<ref name=RoRiPi11>{{Cite journal | last1 = Ropponen | first1 = A. | last2 = Ritala | first2 = R. | last3 = Pistikopoulos | first3 = E. N. | doi = 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2010.12.012 | title = Optimization issues of the broke management system in papermaking | journal = Computers & Chemical Engineering | volume = 35 | issue = 11 | pages = 2510 | year = 2011 }}</ref> Multi-objective design optimization has also been implemented in engineering systems in the circumstances such as control cabinet layout optimization,<ref>{{cite arXiv |last1=Pllana |first1=Sabri |last2=Memeti |first2=Suejb |last3=Kolodziej |first3=Joanna |title=Customizing Pareto Simulated Annealing for Multi-objective Optimization of Control Cabinet Layout |eprint=1906.04825 |class=cs.OH |year=2019}}</ref> airfoil shape optimization using scientific workflows,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nguyen |first1=Hoang Anh |last2=van Iperen |first2=Zane |last3=Raghunath |first3=Sreekanth |last4=Abramson |first4=David |last5=Kipouros |first5=Timoleon |last6=Somasekharan |first6=Sandeep |title=Multi-objective optimisation in scientific workflow |journal=Procedia Computer Science |date=2017 |volume=108 |pages=1443–1452 |hdl=1826/12173 |doi=10.1016/j.procs.2017.05.213 |doi-access=free |hdl-access=free }}</ref> design of nano-[[CMOS]],<ref>{{Cite journal |title = Multiobjective design optimization of a nano-CMOS voltage-controlled oscillator using game theoretic-differential evolution |journal = Applied Soft Computing |date = 2015-07-01|pages =293–299 293–299|volume = 32 |doi = 10.1016/j.asoc.2015.03.016 |first1 = T. |last1 =Ganesan Ganesan|first2 = I. |last2 = Elamvazuthi |first3 = P. |last3 = Vasant}}</ref> [[System on a chip|system on chip]] design, design of solar-powered irrigation systems,<ref>{{Cite book |publisher = Springer International Publishing|date = 2013-01-01|isbn = 978-3-319-00541-6 |pages =147–154 147–154|series = Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing |doi = 10.1007/978-3-319-00542-3_15 |first1 = T. |last1 =Ganesan Ganesan|first2 = I. |last2 =Elamvazuthi Elamvazuthi|first3 = Ku Zilati Ku |last3 = Shaari |first4 = P. |last4 =Vasant Vasant| title=Nostradamus 2013: Prediction, Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems | chapter=Hypervolume-Driven Analytical Programming for Solar-Powered Irrigation System Optimization | volume=210 |editor-first =Ivan Ivan|editor-last =Zelinka Zelinka|editor-first2 = Guanrong |editor-last2 =Chen Chen|editor-first3 = Otto E. |editor-last3 = Rössler |editor-first4 =Vaclav Vaclav|editor-last4 =Snasel Snasel|editor-first5 =Ajith Ajith|editor-last5 = Abraham}}</ref> optimization of sand mould systems,<ref>{{Cite book |publisher = Springer Berlin Heidelberg |date = 2013-01-01 |isbn = 978-3-642-45317-5 |pages =145–163 145–163|series = Lecture Notes in Computer Science |first1 = T. |last1 =Ganesan Ganesan|first2 = I. |last2 = Elamvazuthi |first3 = Ku Zilati Ku |last3 =Shaari Shaari|first4 = P. |last4 =Vasant Vasant| title=Transactions on Computational Science XXI | chapter=Multiobjective Optimization of Green Sand Mould System Using Chaotic Differential Evolution | volume=8160 |editor-first = Marina L.|editor-last = Gavrilova|editor-link=Marina Gavrilova|editor-first2 = C. J. Kenneth |editor-last2 =Tan Tan|editor-first3 = Ajith|editor-last3 = Abraham|doi = 10.1007/978-3-642-45318-2_6}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title = Multi-objective optimization of green sand mould system using evolutionary algorithms|journal = The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology |date = 2011-05-07|issn = 0268-3768|pages = 9–17|volume = 58|issue = 1–4|doi = 10.1007/s00170-011-3365-8 |first1 = B.|last1 = Surekha|first2 = Lalith K.|last2 = Kaushik|first3 = Abhishek K.|last3 = Panduy|first4 = Pandu R.|last4 = Vundavilli|first5 = Mahesh B.|last5 = Parappagoudar|s2cid = 110315544}}</ref> engine design,<ref>{{Cite web|title = MultiObjective Optimization in Engine Design Using Genetic Algorithms to Improve Engine Performance {{!}} ESTECO|url = http://www.esteco.com/modefrontier/multiobjective-optimization-engine-design-using-genetic-algorithms-improve-engine-perfo|website = www.esteco.com|access-date = 2015-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite bookconference |chapter title= Multi-Objective Robust Design Optimization of an Engine Mounting System|chapter-url = http://papers.sae.org/2005-01-2412/|date = 2005-05-16|___location = Warrendale, PA|first1 = E. |last1 =Courteille Courteille|first2 = F. |last2 = Mortier |first3 = L. |last3 =Leotoing Leotoing|first4 = E. |last4 =Ragneau Ragneau|doi = 10.4271/2005-01-2412 |title conference= SAE Technical2005 PaperNoise Series|volumeand =Vibration 1|Conference and Exhibition, May 2005, Traverse City, United States |s2cid=20170456 |url = https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00913315/file/SAE_HAL.pdf}}</ref> optimal sensor deployment<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Domingo-Perez |first1=Francisco |last2=Lazaro-Galilea|first2=Jose Luis|last3=Wieser|first3=Andreas|last4=Martin-Gorostiza |first4=Ernesto |last5=Salido-Monzu |first5=David |last6=Llana|first6=Alvaro de la|title=Sensor placement determination for range-difference positioning using evolutionary multi-objective optimization|journal=Expert Systems with Applications|date=April 2016 |volume=47 |pages=95–105 |doi=10.1016/j.eswa.2015.11.008}}</ref> and optimal controller design.<ref>{{Cite journal |title = Multiobjective model predictive control |journal = Automatica|date = 2009-12-01|pages = 2823–2830 |volume = 45|issue = 12|doi = 10.1016/j.automatica.2009.09.032 |first1 = Alberto|last1 = Bemporad|first2 = David|last2 = Muñoz de la Peña}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title = Multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for SSSC-based controller design|journal = Electric Power Systems Research |date = 2009-06-01 |pages =937–944 937–944|volume =79 79|issue =6 6|doi = 10.1016/j.epsr.2008.12.004 |first =Sidhartha Sidhartha|last = Panda| bibcode=2009EPSR...79..937P }}</ref>
 
=== {{anchor|MOGA}} Process optimization ===
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In 2013, Ganesan et al. carried out the multi-objective optimization of the combined carbon dioxide reforming and partial oxidation of methane. The objective functions were methane conversion, carbon monoxide selectivity, and hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio. Ganesan used the Normal Boundary Intersection (NBI) method in conjunction with two swarm-based techniques (Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)) to tackle the problem.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Swarm intelligence and gravitational search algorithm for multi-objective optimization of synthesis gas production|journal = Applied Energy|date = 2013-03-01|pages = 368–374|volume = 103|doi = 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.09.059|first1 = T.|last1 = Ganesan|first2 = I.|last2 = Elamvazuthi|first3 = Ku Zilati|last3 = Ku Shaari|first4 = P.|last4 = Vasant| bibcode=2013ApEn..103..368G }}</ref> Applications involving chemical extraction<ref>{{Cite book|publisher = Springer International Publishing|date = 2015-03-23|isbn = 978-3-319-15704-7|pages = 13–21|series = Lecture Notes in Computer Science|doi = 10.1007/978-3-319-15705-4_2|first1 = Timothy|last1 = Ganesan|first2 = Irraivan|last2 = Elamvazuthi|first3 = Pandian|last3 = Vasant|first4 = Ku Zilati Ku|last4 = Shaari| title=Intelligent Information and Database Systems | chapter=Multiobjective Optimization of Bioactive Compound Extraction Process via Evolutionary Strategies | volume=9012 |editor-first = Ngoc Thanh|editor-last = Nguyen|editor-first2 = Bogdan|editor-last2 = Trawiński|editor-first3 = Raymond|editor-last3 = Kosala}}</ref> and bioethanol production processes<ref>{{Cite book|title = Contemporary Advancements in Information Technology Development in Dynamic Environments|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=L6N_BAAAQBAJ|publisher = IGI Global|date = 2014-06-30|isbn = 9781466662537|first = Khosrow-Pour|last = Mehdi}}</ref> have posed similar multi-objective problems.
 
In 2013, Abakarov et al. proposed an alternative technique to solve multi-objective optimization problems arising in food engineering.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Multi-criteria optimization and decision-making approach for improving of food engineering processes.|authorauthor1=Abakarov. A., |author2=Sushkov. Yu., |author3=Mascheroni. R.H. | year=2012| url=http://tomakechoice.com/paper/MCDM&OD_IJFS.pdf| journal=International Journal of Food Studies |volume=2 |pages=1–21| |doi=10.7455/ijfs/2.1.2013.a1 |doi-broken-date=18 January 2025 |s2cid=3708256 |url=http://tomakechoice.com/paper/MCDM&OD_IJFS.pdf}}</ref> The Aggregating Functions Approach, the Adaptive Random Search Algorithm, and the Penalty Functions Approach were used to compute the initial set of the non-dominated or Pareto-optimal solutions. The [[Analytic Hierarchy Process]] and Tabular Method were used simultaneously for choosing the best alternative among the computed subset of non-dominated solutions for osmotic dehydration processes.<ref>{{Cite journal |authorauthor1=Abakarov, A,. |author2=Sushkov, Y,. |author3=Almonacid, S, and. |author4=Simpson, R. | year=2009| title=Multiobjective Optimisation Approach: Thermal Food Processing.|journal=Journal of Food Science |volume=74 |issue=9|pages= E471–E487 |doi=10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01348.x| pmid=20492109|hdl=10533/134983|hdl-access=free}}</ref>
 
In 2018, Pearce et al. formulated task allocation to human and robotic workers as a multi-objective optimization problem, considering production time and the ergonomic impact on the human worker as the two objectives considered in the formulation. Their approach used a [[Linear programming|Mixed-Integer Linear Program]] to solve the optimization problem for a weighted sum of the two objectives to calculate a set of [[Pareto efficiency|Pareto optimal]] solutions. Applying the approach to several manufacturing tasks showed improvements in at least one objective in most tasks and in both objectives in some of the processes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pearce |first1=Margaret |last2=Mutlu |first2=Bilge |last3=Shah |first3=Julie |last4=Radwin |first4=Robert |date=2018 |title=Optimizing Makespan and Ergonomics in Integrating Collaborative Robots Into Manufacturing Processes |journal=IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering |volume=15 |issue=4 |language=en-US |pages=1772–1784 |doi=10.1109/tase.2018.2789820 |s2cid=52927442|issn=1545-5955 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
 
===Radio resource management===
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=== Inspection of infrastructure ===
 
Autonomous inspection of infrastructure has the potential to reduce costs, risks and environmental impacts, as well as ensuring better periodic maintenance of inspected assets. Typically, planning such missions has been viewed as a single-objective optimization problem, where one aims to minimize the energy or time spent in inspecting an entire target structure.<ref name="GalceranCarreras2013">{{cite journal|last1=Galceran|first1=Enric|last2=Carreras |first2=Marc|title=A survey on coverage path planning for robotics|journal=Robotics and Autonomous Systems|volume=61 |issue=12|year=2013|pages=1258–1276|issn=0921-8890 |doi=10.1016/j.robot.2013.09.004|citeseerx=10.1.1.716.2556|s2cid=1177069 }}</ref> For complex, real-world structures, however, covering 100% of an inspection target is not feasible, and generating an inspection plan may be better viewed as a multiobjective optimization problem, where one aims to both maximize inspection coverage and minimize time and costs. A recent study has indicated that multiobjective inspection planning indeed has the potential to outperform traditional methods on complex structures<ref name="EllefsenLepikson2017">{{cite journal |last1=Ellefsen |first1=K.O. |last2=Lepikson |first2=H.A. |last3=Albiez |first3=J.C. |title=Multiobjective coverage path planning: Enabling automated inspection of complex, real-world structures |journal=Applied Soft Computing |volume=61 |year=2019 |pages=264–282 |issn=1568-4946 |doi=10.1016/j.asoc.2017.07.051 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318893583 |hdl=10852/58883 |arxiv=1901.07272 |bibcode=2019arXiv190107272O |s2cid=6183350}}</ref>
 
== Solution ==
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As multiple [[Pareto optimality|Pareto optimal]] solutions for multi-objective optimization problems usually exist, what it means to solve such a problem is not as straightforward as it is for a conventional single-objective optimization problem. Therefore, different researchers have defined the term "solving a multi-objective optimization problem" in various ways. This section summarizes some of them and the contexts in which they are used. Many methods convert the original problem with multiple objectives into a single-objective [[optimization problem]]. This is called a scalarized problem. If the Pareto optimality of the single-objective solutions obtained can be guaranteed, the scalarization is characterized as done neatly.
 
Solving a multi-objective optimization problem is sometimes understood as approximating or computing all or a representative set of Pareto optimal solutions.<ref name="Ehrgott2005">{{cite book|author=Matthias Ehrgott|title=Multicriteria Optimization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yrZw9srrHroC|access-date=29 May 2012|date=1 June 2005|publisher=Birkhäuser|isbn=978-3-540-21398-7}}</ref><ref name="CoelloLamont2007">{{cite book|author1=Carlos A. Coello Coello|author2=Gary B. Lamont|author3=David A. Van Veldhuisen|title=Evolutionary Algorithms for Solving Multi-Objective Problems|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rXIuAMw3lGAC|access-date=1 November 2012|year=2007|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-0-387-36797-2}}</ref>
 
When [[Multiple-criteria decision analysis|decision making]] is emphasized, the objective of solving a multi-objective optimization problem is referred to as supporting a decision maker in finding the most preferred Pareto optimal solution according to their subjective preferences.<ref name="Miettinen1999">{{cite book|author=Kaisa Miettinen|title=Nonlinear Multiobjective Optimization|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ha_zLdNtXSMC|access-date=29 May 2012|year=1999 |publisher=Springer|isbn=978-0-7923-8278-2}}</ref><ref name="BrankeDeb2008">{{cite book|author1=Jürgen Branke|author2=Kalyanmoy Deb|author3=Kaisa Miettinen|author4=Roman Slowinski|title=Multiobjective Optimization: Interactive and Evolutionary Approaches |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N-1hWMNUa2EC|access-date=1 November 2012|date=21 November 2008 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-540-88907-6}}</ref> The underlying assumption is that one solution to the problem must be identified to be implemented in practice. Here, a human [[decision maker]] (DM) plays an important role. The DM is expected to be an expert in the problem ___domain.
 
The most preferred results can be found using different philosophies. Multi-objective optimization methods can be divided into four classes.<ref name="HwangMasud1979">{{cite book|author1=Ching-Lai Hwang|author2=Abu Syed Md Masud|title=Multiple objective decision making, methods and applications: a state-of-the-art survey |url=https://archive.org/details/multipleobjectiv0000hwan |url-access=registration|access-date=29 May 2012|year=1979 |publisher=Springer-Verlag|isbn=978-0-387-09111-2}}</ref>
 
# In so-called '''no-preference methods''', no DM is expected to be available, but a neutral compromise solution is identified without preference information.<ref name="Miettinen1999" /> The other classes are so-called a priori, a posteriori, and interactive methods, and they all involve preference information from the DM in different ways.
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=== Mathematical programming ===
Well-known examples of mathematical programming-based a posteriori methods are the Normal Boundary Intersection (NBI),<ref name="doi10.1137/S1052623496307510">{{Cite journal | last1 = Das | first1 = I. | last2 = Dennis | first2 = J. E. | doi = 10.1137/S1052623496307510 | title = Normal-Boundary Intersection: A New Method for Generating the Pareto Surface in Nonlinear Multicriteria Optimization Problems | journal = SIAM Journal on Optimization | volume = 8 | issue = 3 | pages = 631 | year = 1998 | hdl = 1911/101880| s2cid = 207081991 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> Modified Normal Boundary Intersection (NBIm),<ref name="S. Motta">{{cite journal|last=S. Motta|first=Renato S. |author2=Afonso, Silvana M. B. |author3=Lyra, Paulo R. M. |title=A modified NBI and NC method for the solution of N-multiobjective optimization problems|journal=Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization |date=8 January 2012 |doi=10.1007/s00158-011-0729-5|volume=46|issue=2 |pages=239–259|s2cid=121122414}}</ref> Normal Constraint (NC),<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal |first1=A. |last1=Messac |first2=A. |author-link1=Achille Messac |last2=Ismail-Yahaya |first3=C.A. |last3=Mattson |title=The normalized normal constraint method for generating the Pareto frontier |journal=Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=86–98 |year=2003 |doi=10.1007/s00158-002-0276-1 |s2cid=58945431}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite journal |first1=A. |last1=Messac |first2=C. A. |last2=Mattson |title=Normal constraint method with guarantee of even representation of complete Pareto frontier |journal=AIAA Journal |volume=42 |issue=10 |pages=2101–2111 |year=2004 |doi=10.2514/1.8977 |bibcode=2004AIAAJ..42.2101M}}</ref> Successive Pareto Optimization (SPO),<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite journal|first1=Daniel|last1=Mueller-Gritschneder |first2=Helmut |last2=Graeb |first3=Ulf |last3=Schlichtmann |title=A Successive Approach to Compute the Bounded Pareto Front of Practical Multiobjective Optimization Problems |journal=SIAM Journal on Optimization|volume=20|issue=2|pages=915–934 |year=2009 |doi=10.1137/080729013}}</ref> and Directed Search Domain (DSD)<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Erfani |first1=Tohid |last2=Utyuzhnikov |first2=Sergei V. |date=2010 |title=Directed search ___domain: a method for even generation of the Pareto frontier in multiobjective optimization |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0305215X.2010.497185 |journal=Engineering Optimization |language=en |volume=43 |issue=5 |pages=467–484 |doi=10.1080/0305215X.2010.497185 |issn=0305-215X}}</ref> methods, which solve the multi-objective optimization problem by constructing several scalarizations. The solution to each scalarization yields a Pareto optimal solution, whether locally or globally. The scalarizations of the NBI, NBIm, NC, and DSD methods are constructed to obtain evenly distributed Pareto points that give a good approximation of the real set of Pareto points.
 
=== Evolutionary algorithms ===
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== Visualization of the Pareto front ==
 
Visualization of the Pareto front is one of the a posteriori preference techniques of multi-objective optimization. The a posteriori preference techniques provide an important class of multi-objective optimization techniques.<ref name="Miettinen1999" /> Usually, the a posteriori preference techniques include four steps: (1) computer approximates the Pareto front, i.e., the Pareto optimal set in the objective space; (2) the decision maker studies the Pareto front approximation; (3) the decision maker identifies the preferred point at the Pareto front; (4) computer provides the Pareto optimal decision, whose output coincides with the objective point identified by the decision maker. From the point of view of the decision maker, the second step of the a posteriori preference techniques is the most complicated. There are two main approaches to informing the decision maker. First, a number of points of the Pareto front can be provided in the form of a list (interesting discussion and references are given in<ref name="BensonSayin1997">{{cite journal|last1=Benson|first1=Harold P.|last2=Sayin|first2=Serpil|title=Towards finding global representations of the efficient set in multiple objective mathematical programming|journal=Naval Research Logistics |volume=44 |issue=1|year=1997|pages=47–67|issn=0894-069X|doi=10.1002/(SICI)1520-6750(199702)44:1<47::AID-NAV3>3.0.CO;2-M |hdl=11693/25666 |url=http://repository.bilkent.edu.tr/bitstream/11693/25666/1/Towards%20finding%20global%20representations%20of%20the%20efficient%20set%20in%20multiple%20objective%20mathematical%20programming.pdf}}</ref>) or using heatmaps.<ref name="Pryke, Mostaghim, Nazemi">{{cite book|last=Pryke|first=Andy|author2=Sanaz Mostaghim |author3=Alireza Nazemi |title=Evolutionary Multi-Criterion Optimization |chapter=Heatmap Visualization of Population Based Multi Objective Algorithms |volume=4403|year=2007 |pages=361–375 |doi=10.1007/978-3-540-70928-2_29|series=Lecture Notes in Computer Science|isbn=978-3-540-70927-5|s2cid=2502459 }}</ref>
 
=== Visualization in bi-objective problems: tradeoff curve ===
 
In the case of bi-objective problems, informing the decision maker concerning the Pareto front is usually carried out by its visualization: the Pareto front, often named the tradeoff curve in this case, can be drawn at the objective plane. The tradeoff curve gives full information on objective values and on objective tradeoffs, which inform how improving one objective is related to deteriorating the second one while moving along the tradeoff curve. The decision maker takes this information into account while specifying the preferred Pareto optimal objective point. The idea to approximate and visualize the Pareto front was introduced for linear bi-objective decision problems by S. Gass and T. Saaty.<ref name="GassSaaty1955">{{cite journal |last1=Gass |first1=Saul|last2=Saaty|first2=Thomas|title=The computational algorithm for the parametric objective function |journal=Naval Research Logistics Quarterly|volume=2|issue=1–2|year=1955|pages=39–45|issn=0028-1441 |doi=10.1002/nav.3800020106}}</ref> This idea was developed and applied in environmental problems by J.L. Cohon.<ref name="Cohon2004">{{cite book|author=Jared L. Cohon |title=Multiobjective Programming and Planning |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i4Qese2aNooC|access-date=29 May 2012 |date=13 January 2004|publisher=Courier Dover Publications |isbn=978-0-486-43263-2}}</ref> A review of methods for approximating the Pareto front for various decision problems with a small number of objectives (mainly, two) is provided in.<ref name="RuzikaWiecek2005">{{cite journal |last1=Ruzika |first1=S. |last2=Wiecek|first2=M. M.|author2-link=Margaret Wiecek |title=Approximation Methods in Multiobjective Programming |journal=Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications |volume=126|issue=3|year=2005|pages=473–501 |issn=0022-3239 |doi=10.1007/s10957-005-5494-4|s2cid=122221156}}</ref>
 
=== Visualization in high-order multi-objective optimization problems ===