VIII Prefacevided within that chapter. Various Operations Research applications from de-
terministic (continuous, discrete, static, dynamic) modeling, combinatorics,
regression, optimization, graph theory, solution of equation systems as well
as geometric and conceptual visualization of abstract mathematical concepts
have been included.
As opposed to supplying the readers with a reference list or bibliography
at the end of the book, active web resources have been provided at the end
of each chapter. The rationale behind this is that despite the volatility of
Internet sources, which has recently proven to be less so with the necessary
solid maintenance being ensured, the availability of web references will enable
the ambitious reader to access materials for further study without delay at
the end of each chapter. It will also enable the author to keep this list of web
materials updated to exclude those that can no longer be accessed and to
include new ones after screening relevant web sites periodically.
I would like to acknowledge all those who have contributed to the comple-
tion and publication of this book. Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude
to Prof. Fred Hillier for agreeing to add this book to his series. I am also
indebted to Gary Folven, Senior Editor at Springer, for his speedy processing
and encouragement.
I owe a great deal to my professors at Bilkent University, Mefharet Ko-
catepe, Erol Sezer and my Ph.D. advisor Mustafa Akgiil, for their contri-
butions to my development. Without their impact, this book could never
have materialized. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Prof.
Caglar Giiven and Prof. Halim Dogrusoz from Middle East Technical Univer-
sity for the insight that they provided as regards OR methodology, to Prof.
Murat Koksalan for his encouragement and guidance, and to Prof. Nur Evin
Ozdemirel for her mentoring and friendship.
The contributions of my graduate students over the years it took to com-
plete this book are undeniable. I thank them for their continuous feedback,
invaluable comments and endless support. My special thanks go to Dr. Tevhide
Altekin, former student current colleague, for sharing with me her view of the
course content and conduct as well as for her suggestions as to the presentation
of the material within the book.
Last but not least, I am grateful to my family, my parents in particular, for
their continuous encouragement and support. My final words of appreciation
go to my local editor, my wife Sibel, for her faith in what started out as a
far-fetched project, and most importantly, for her faith in me.Ankara, Turkey,
June 2006 Levent Kandiller