linear programming

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

linear programming
    n 1: a mathematical technique used in economics; finds the
         maximum or minimum of linear functions in many variables
         subject to constraints

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

linear programming

   <application> A procedure for finding the maximum or minimum
   of a {linear function} where the arguments are subject to
   linear {constraints}.  The {simplex method} is one well known
   {algorithm}.

   (1995-04-06)