The primal-dual method for approximation algorithms

David P. Williamson
2002 Mathematical programming  
In this survey, we give an overview of a technique used to design and analyze algorithms that provide approximate solutions to NP-hard problems in combinatorial optimization. Because of parallels with the primal-dual method commonly used in combinatorial optimization, we call it the primal-dual method for approximation algorithms. We show how this technique can be used to derive approximation algorithms for a number of different problems, including network design problems, feedback vertex set problems, and facility location problems.
doi:10.1007/s101070100262 fatcat:onefvz77yvh5vfpgb2zjl6qr3e