Electronic Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual Conference on
Technology in Collegiate Mathematics
CONTRIBUTED PAPER: 12-C23
Solving a Nonlinear Optimization Problem Using Excel
Revathi Narasimhan
Department of Mathematics
Saint Peter's College
2641 Kennedy Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: (908) 233-7399
E-mail: narasimhan_r@spc.edu
ABSTRACT
We discuss a nonlinear optimization problem arising in steel
production. The problem centers on optimizing production of a steel slab, given
constraints on the cross-sectional area and aspect ratio. Such a problem arises
in continuous casting of steel products, an intermediate step in the manufacture
of steel. The resulting nonlinear optimization problem can be analyzed computationally using the powerful features of Excel Solver.
In the paper, we discuss how to set up the problem in the spreadsheet and how
it can be used as a teaching tool in a mathematical modeling course. An Excel
workbook covering all aspects of this example accompanies the paper.