Slack variable

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In Linear programming a slack variable is a variable which is added to a constraint to turn the inequality into an equation. This is required to turn an inequality into an equality where a linear combination of variables is less than or equal to a given constant in the former. As with the other variables in the augmented constraints, the slack variable cannot take on negative values, as the Simplex algorithm requires them to be positive or zero.

[edit] See also

• Surplus variable
• Simplex algorithm

[edit] External link

• An explanation of the Simplex method