An optimal bifactor approximation algorithm for the metric uncapacitated facility location problem

J. Byrka

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

71 Citations (Scopus)
165 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We consider the metric uncapacitated facility location problem(UFL). In this paper we modify the (1¿+¿2/e)-approximation algorithm of Chudak and Shmoys to obtain a new (1.6774,1.3738)- approximation algorithm for the UFL problem. Our linear programing rounding algorithm is the first one that touches the approximability limit curve established by Jain et al. As a consequence, we obtain the first optimal approximation algorithm for instances dominated by connection costs. Our new algorithm - when combined with a (1.11,1.7764)-approxima- tion algorithm proposed by Jain, Mahdian and Saberi, and later analyzed by Mahdian, Ye and Zhang - gives a 1.5-approximation algorithm for the metric UFL problem. This algorithm improves over the previously best known 1.52-approximation algorithm by Mahdian, Ye and Zhang, and it cuts the gap with the approximability lower bound by 1/3. The algorithm is also used to improve the approximation ratio for the 3-level version of the problem.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 10th International Workshop on Approximation, Randomization, and Combinatorial Optimization: Algorithms and Techniques (APPROX 2007) and of the 11th International Workshop (RANDOM 2007) 20-22 August 2007, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
EditorsM. Charikar, K. Jansen, O. Reingold, J.D.P. Rolim
Place of PublicationBerlin
PublisherSpringer
Pages29-43
ISBN (Print)978-3-540-74207-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Eventconference; APPROX 2007 and RANDOM 2007, Princeton, New Jersey, USA; 2007-08-20; 2007-08-22 -
Duration: 20 Aug 200722 Aug 2007

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science
Volume4627
ISSN (Print)0302-9743

Conference

Conferenceconference; APPROX 2007 and RANDOM 2007, Princeton, New Jersey, USA; 2007-08-20; 2007-08-22
Period20/08/0722/08/07
OtherAPPROX 2007 and RANDOM 2007, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

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