The Fundamentals of Linear Programming: A Step-by-Step Instructional Approach

Abstract

Students new to linear programming (LP) often find the problems difficult.  The Linear Programming Model (LPM) is a teaching tool that is helpful in introducing students to the fundamentals of LP and how to solve basic LP problems.  This tool, in the form of a blank template, condenses a basic LP problem into seven steps.  The effectiveness of the LPM as a teaching tool on student learning was evaluated on an LP problem through a pre-and post-assessment.  Further analysis using an independent samples t-test on 64 students indicates that the tool is an effective technique to improve student performance.  The template is useful in organizing, analyzing, and interpreting basic LP problems and is easy to implement in the classroom.