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The transportation model uses a special structure that allows computations to be carried out in a transportation tableau. This tableau is designed to simplify the process of finding an optimal solution using techniques such as the Northwest Corner Method, Least Cost Method, or Vogel’s Approximation Method, followed by optimization techniques like the Modified Distribution (MODI) Method. This structure is specifically tailored to handle the transportation problem efficiently.

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Here are five related questions to expand your understanding:

1. What is the purpose of the transportation tableau in optimization problems?
2. How does the Northwest Corner Method help in solving transportation problems?
3. What are the differences between the Least Cost Method and the Vogel’s Approximation Method?
4. How does the Modified Distribution (MODI) Method optimize a solution obtained from the transportation tableau?
5. Can the transportation tableau handle unbalanced problems (where supply ≠ demand)?

Tip: Using the tableau structure simplifies problem-solving by organizing data systematically, making it easier to apply algorithms and check feasibility