Frank–Wolfe algorithm: Difference between revisions

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In [[mathematical optimization]], the '''reduced gradient method''' of Frank and Wolfe is an [[iterative method]] for [[nonlinear programming]]. Also known as the '''Frank–Wolfe algorithm''' and the ''convex combination algorithm'', the reduced gradient method was proposed by Marguerite Frank and [[Phil Wolfe]] in&nbsp;1956<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Frank |first1=M. |last2=Wolfe |first2=P. |title=An algorithm for quadratic programming |url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/nav.3800030109/pdf |journal=Naval Research Logistics Quarterly |volume=3 |number=1-2 |year=1956 |pages=95–110|doi=10.1002/nav.3800030109}}</ref> as an [[algorithm]] for [[quadratic programming]]. In [[simplex algorithm|phase one]], the reduced gradient method finds a [[linear programming#feasible solution|feasible solution]] to the [[linear programming#feasible region|linear constraints]], if one exists. Thereafter, at each iteration, the method takes a [[gradient descent|descent step]] in the [[gradient descent|negative gradient direction]], so reducing the [[objective function]]; this [[gradient descent]] step is "reduced" to remain in the [[polyhedron|polyhedral]] feasible region of the linear constraints. Because quadratic programming is a generalization of linear programming, the reduced gradient method is a generalization of Dantzig's [[simplex algorithm]] for [[linear programming]].

The reduced gradient method is an iterative method for [[nonlinear programming]], a method that need not be restricted to quadratic programming. While the method is slower than competing methods and has been abandoned as a general purpose method of nonlinear programming, it remains widely used for specially structured problems of large scale optimization. In particular, the reduced gradient method remains popular and effective for finding approximate [[flow network|minimum–cost flow]]s in [[transportation network]]s, which often have enormous size.

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==References==

*M. Frank and P. Wolfe, ''An algorithm for quadratic programming'', Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, 3 (1956), pp.&nbsp;95—110.

*[http://www.math.chalmers.se/Math/Grundutb/CTH/tma946/0203/fw_eng.pdf The Frank-Wolfe algorithm] description

*[http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/472840-00074-1.pdf Combined Traffic Signal Control and Traffic Assignment: Algorithms, Implementation and Numerical Results], Chungwon Lee and [[Randy B. Machemehl]], University of Texas at Austin, March 2005