Incomplete systems of linear equations with restrictions of variable values

• Main Author: Igor’ Georgievich Minkevich
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Institute of Computer Science 2014-10-01
• Series: Компьютерные исследования и моделирование
• Subjects: linear equations; non-square matrices; linear inequalities; stoichiometry of metabolism; metabolic pathways
• Online Access: http://crm.ics.org.ru/uploads/crmissues/crm_2014_5/14507.pdf

The problem is formulated for description of objects having various natures which uses a system of linear equations with variable number exceeding the number of the equations. An important feature of this problem that substantially complicates its solving is the existing of restrictions imposed on a number of the variables. In particular, the choice of biochemical reaction aggregate that converts a preset substrate (a feedstock) into a preset product belongs to this kind of problems. In this case, unknown variables are the rates of biochemical reactions which form a vector to be determined. Components of this vector are subdivided into two groups: 1) the defined components, $\vec{y}$; 2) those dependent on the defined ones, $\vec{x}$. Possible configurations of the domain of $\vec{y}$ values permitted by restrictions imposed upon $\vec{x}$ components have been studied. It has been found that a part of restrictions may be superfluous and, therefore, unnecessary for the problem solving. Situations are analyzed when two or more $\vec{x}$ restrictions result in strict interconnections between $\vec{y}$ components. Methods of search of the basis solutions which take into account the peculiarities of this problem are described. Statement of the general problem and properties of its solutions are illustrated using a biochemical example.