The Northwest Corner Rule

1
The Northwest Corner Rule

• John D. Merritt
• December 2000

2
Definition-

• A procedure to find a basic and feasible solution
  for a transportation problem.

3
How it works.

• Start in the upper left-hand (North West) corner
  of the tableau and assign the most you can to the
  variable (considering supply and demand).
• You then move down or to the right depending on
  supply and demand until you reach the south east
  corner.

4
Distributor
Supply
3
2
4
1
Factory
1
10
11
12
13
14
2
15
21
22
23
24
3
6
31
32
33
34
Demand
8
4
12
7
5
Beginning the Journey
Distributor
Supply
3
2
4
1
Factory
1
10
8
2
2
15
2
12
1
3
6
6
Demand
8
4
12
7
6
Finding number of constraints

• Constraints are equal to number of origins
  number of destinations the redundant
  constraint.
• 3 Factories 4 Distributors 1 6 constraints.