Fast approximation algorithms for fractional packing and covering problems

Fast algorithms that find approximate solutions for a general class of problems, which are called fractional packing and covering problems, are presented. The only previously known algorithms for solving these problems are based on general linear programming techniques. The techniques developed greatly outperform the general methods in many applications, and are extensions of a method previously applied to find approximate solutions to multicommodity flow problems. The algorithms are based on a Lagrangian relaxation technique, and an important result is a theoretical analysis of the running time of a Lagrangian relaxation based algorithm. Several applications of the algorithms are presented.<>