Forum Discussion
Excel Solver issue Evolutionary
Local minimums (maximums) are a common problem with any goal-seeking algorithm.
From a Solver webpage (click here😞 ``The GRG Nonlinear Solving method, like most nonlinear optimization methods, normally can find only a locally optimal solution to a nonlinear, non-convex problem. Solver includes a multistart method that can improve your prospects of finding a globally optimal solution for such a problem. The basic idea of the multistart method is to automatically run the GRG “local Solver” from different starting points, reaching different locally optimal solutions``.
I don't know if the multistart feature works with the Evolutionary method. My guess is: it does not.
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MillerMark39 wrote: ``if anyone can help point me in the right direction on what I am doing wrong it would be amazing``
We would need to see the Excel file in order to be specific. Refer to mtarler's response. I like box.net/files; others like dropbox.com.
And no approach is guaranteed to work.
But generally, I try to add reasonable constraints on various values, including but not limited to the "by changing" cells.
And to that end, I might add additional calculations that can further constrain the solutions. For example, the SSE or absolute AVEDEV must be between "this" and "that".