Balanced Assignment Problem MCQs

What is a balanced assignment problem?

• Number of agents equals number of tasks

• Number of agents is greater than number of tasks

• Number of tasks is greater than number of agents

• Number of agents and tasks are unrelated

In a balanced assignment problem, the matrix is always:

• Square

• Rectangular with more rows

• Rectangular with more columns

• Diagonal

What method is commonly used to solve assignment problems?

• Simplex method

• Hungarian method

• Transportation method

• Branch and bound

If the assignment problem is unbalanced, what is usually done?

• Add dummy rows or columns

• Remove excess rows

• Remove excess columns

• None of the above

The objective of the balanced assignment problem is to:

• Maximize total cost

• Minimize total cost

• Maximize total profit

• Both b and c depending on problem

In the Hungarian method, what is the first step?

• Subtract row minimum

• Subtract column minimum

• Assign tasks immediately

• Add dummy variables

If the cost matrix of an assignment problem is 4x4, how many assignments must be made?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

What is the significance of zeros in the reduced cost matrix during the Hungarian method?

• They represent optimal assignments

• They represent possible assignments at zero cost

• They have no significance

• They indicate errors

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the assignment problem?

• One-to-one matching

• Costs or profits assigned to each pair

• Multiple tasks assigned to one agent

• Balanced or unbalanced matrices

In a balanced assignment problem, what does an optimal solution guarantee?

• Maximum total cost

• Minimum total cost (or maximum total profit)

• Random assignments

• Equal distribution of tasks