Algorithm Design and Data Structure

KNAPSACK
ALGORITHM
Presented by Samiya Siddiqui and Uday Choudhary
 KNAPSACK
ALGORITHM
Imagine you have a limited space to pack your belongings for a
hiking trip. You want to optimize the items you bring to
maximize your comfort and utility. But how do you make the
best choices? This is where the Knapsack Algorithm comes into
play.
The Knapsack Algorithm is a powerful computational technique
designed to solve optimisation problems. It provides a systematic
approach to determine the optimal combination of items to
include in a limited-capacity 'knapsack' while maximizing the
total value of the items."
 KNAPSACK
ALGORITHM
The Knapsack Algorithm finds its applications in a wide
range of fields, including resource allocation, finance,
scheduling, and bioinformatics. Its ability to tackle
complex optimization challenges has made it a valuable
tool for decision-making in various industries.
By understanding the principles of the Knapsack
Algorithm, we can unlock insights into efficient resource
management, strategic planning, and making optimal
choices in constrained environments.
 Knapsack Problem
The Knapsack Algorithm addresses a fundamental
optimization problem known as the Knapsack Problem. It
involves maximizing value within limited capacity constraints.
In the Knapsack Problem, we have a set of valuable items
with weights and worth. The goal is to determine the optimal
combination of items to pack into a limited-capacity
knapsack, maximizing total worth while staying within weight
limits.
For example, imagine you're a treasure hunter in an ancient
temple. You have a backpack with limited capacity and
various treasures with weights and worth. Your objective is to
choose treasures that maximize total worth without exceeding
the backpack's weight limit.
 Types- 0/1
The 0/1 Knapsack variant imposes a restriction where each item can either be taken
completely or not at all. Once an item is chosen, it cannot be divided or partially included."
The 0/1 Knapsack Problem finds applications in scenarios involving limited availability or a
strict quantity constraint. For instance, it can be used for resource allocation, where items
represent limited resources to be optimally distributed among different projects or tasks.
Example: You are a burglar planning to rob a jewelry store. You have a backpack with a
limited capacity, and you have a list of valuable items with their respective weights and
values. However, once you select an item to steal, you cannot split it or take only a portion of
it.
 Types- Fractional
The Fractional Knapsack allows items to be divided and included partially. This means that
fractions of items can be taken, enabling a more flexible allocation of resources.
The Fractional Knapsack Problem is relevant in situations where resources can be divided and
shared. It is often employed in continuous resource allocation problems, such as optimizing the
utilization of a continuous resource like time or space
Example: You are a baker preparing a cake and have a limited amount of ingredients. You
have a recipe that requires specific quantities of different ingredients with their associated
values. However, you can take fractional amounts of ingredients, such as using half a cup of
flour or one and a half eggs.
 Types- Unbound
In the Unbounded Knapsack variant, there are no limitations on the number of times an item can
be selected. Each item can be taken multiple times, offering an unrestricted opportunity for
resource allocation.
The Unbounded Knapsack Problem proves useful when items can be obtained or produced in an
unlimited quantity. It finds applications in scenarios such as maximizing profits in a production
process with an abundant supply of raw materials or optimizing the use of unlimited resources
Example: You are a factory manager and need to decide how many machines to produce for a
certain product. Each machine has a production cost and profit associated with it. There are no
limitations on the number of machines you can produce.
 Greedy vs Dynamic
Greedy Approach: Dynamic Programming Approach:

Select items with the highest value-to- Break down the problem into smaller
weight ratio at each step. subproblems and solve them
May not always provide an optimal independently.
solution, as it overlooks potential Utilizes optimal substructure by solving
combinations that yield higher overall and storing results of smaller subproblems
value. to avoid redundant computations and find
Computationally efficient and easy to the globally optimal solution.
implement, but sacrifices the guarantee Guarantees finding the optimal solution but
of finding the globally optimal solution. requires more computational resources and
Suitable when items have similar value- has higher time complexity. Effective for
to-weight ratios and capacity moderate problem sizes and when values
constraint is not tight. and weights of items vary significantly.
 Greedy Algorithm Programming
The Greedy approach algorithm for the Knapsack Problem follows a simple strategy of selecting items
based on their value-to-weight ratio.
1. Sort the items in descending order based on their value-to-weight ratio.
2. Initialize the total value and total weight variables to 0.
3. Iterate through the sorted items:
If adding the current item to the knapsack does not exceed its capacity, include the entire item
and update the total value and weight.
If adding the entire item exceeds the capacity, calculate the fraction of the item that can be
included based on the remaining capacity, and update the total value and weight accordingly.
4. Return the final total value and weight as the solution.
The Greedy approach makes locally optimal choices at each step by selecting items with the highest
value-to-weight ratio. However, it may not always result in an optimal solution for the Knapsack
Problem. The Greedy approach's time complexity is typically O(n log n) due to the initial sorting step.
 Complexity Analysis
Time Complexity:
The time complexity of the Greedy approach primarily depends on the initial sorting step, which
typically takes O(n log n) time.
After the sorting, iterating through the items and making decisions based on the capacity is a
linear operation, taking O(n) time.
Space Complexity:
The space complexity of the Greedy approach is relatively low, typically O(1), as it does not
require additional data structures apart from variables to store the total value and weight.
The Greedy approach has a faster runtime compared to the dynamic programming approach.
However, it sacrifices the guarantee of finding the globally optimal solution. It may be suitable when
the items have similar value-to-weight ratios and the capacity constraint is not too tight. In scenarios
with significant variations in item values and weights, the Greedy approach may not yield the best
possible solution.
Dynamic Programming Algorithm
The dynamic programming algorithm for the Knapsack Problem follows these steps:
1. Create a Table:
- Initialize a table to store the maximum values for different capacities and subsets of items.

2. Initialize the Table:

- Set base cases in the table: zero values for no items and zero capacity.

3. Iterate Through Items and Capacities:

- For each item and capacity, update the table based on the optimal choice.
- If the item can be included, calculate the maximum value by considering the current item
and the remaining capacity.
- If the item cannot be included, the maximum value remains the same as the value obtained
without the item.
Dynamic Programming Algorithm
4. Find the Maximum Value:
- Locate the maximum value in the bottom-right corner of the table, representing the optimal
solution.

5. Trace Back the Selected Items:

- Trace back through the table to determine the selected items that yield the maximum value.
- Starting from the bottom-right corner, move up and left, adding items that contribute to the
optimal solution.

The dynamic programming algorithm efficiently determines the optimal combination of items
by systematically updating a table and tracing back through it to maximize the total value
within the knapsack's capacity.
 Complexity Analysis
Time Complexity:
The time complexity of the dynamic programming approach is O(nW), where n is the number
of items and W is the capacity of the knapsack.
As we iterate through each item and capacity, the algorithm calculates the maximum value for
each subproblem.
However, thanks to the optimization techniques employed in dynamic programming, the actual
running time can be significantly reduced compared to exhaustive approaches.

Space Complexity:
The space complexity of the dynamic programming approach is O(nW), directly proportional
to the number of items and the capacity of the knapsack.
It requires a table to store the maximum values for different capacities and subsets of items.
The table has dimensions (n+1) x (W+1), accounting for all possible item selections and
remaining capacities.
 Complexity Analysis
Achieving Polynomial Time Complexity:
The dynamic programming approach achieves polynomial time complexity through memoization
and tabulation. Memoization stores subproblem results to avoid redundant computations,
reducing time complexity. Tabulation solves subproblems iteratively, eliminating recursive calls
and contributing to polynomial time complexity.

Worst-case and Average-case Scenarios:

In worst-case scenarios with large item numbers and capacity, the algorithm's time and space
complexity can be significant. However, dynamic programming offers a substantial improvement
over exponential-time algorithms that evaluate all combinations. In average-case scenarios,
performance is influenced by factors like item value and weight distribution, knapsack capacity,
and problem characteristics.
 Trade offs and Considerations
Optimality: The Dynamic Programming approach guarantees finding the globally optimal solution
for the Knapsack Problem. On the other hand, the Greedy approach may not always provide an
optimal solution.

Time Complexity: The Greedy approach is computationally efficient and has a lower time
complexity compared to the Dynamic Programming approach. However, the Dynamic
Programming approach achieves polynomial time complexity using memoization or tabulation.

Problem Constraints: The Greedy approach assumes that the items have similar value-to-weight
ratios and does not consider the capacity constraint too strictly. It may perform well in scenarios
where the constraint is not extremely tight. The Dynamic Programming approach, on the other
hand, considers the capacity constraint more accurately.
 Trade offs and Considerations
Item Characteristics: The Greedy approach may be suitable when there are significant variations
in item values and weights, as it quickly selects the most valuable items. The Dynamic
Programming approach handles variations in item characteristics more effectively and provides a
precise solution.

Implementation Complexity: The Greedy approach is simpler to implement compared to the

Dynamic Programming approach, which requires creating and updating a table of subproblem
solutions.
In conclusion, the choice between the Greedy approach and the Dynamic Programming
approach depends on the specific problem requirements, trade-offs between optimality and
efficiency, and the characteristics of the items and the capacity constraint. Careful consideration
of these factors is necessary to select the most appropriate approach for the Knapsack Problem.
 Real- Life Applications
Resource Allocation: In a software development company, the Knapsack Algorithm can be used
to allocate limited resources, such as developers and project timelines, to various software
development projects. The algorithm helps determine the optimal assignment of resources to
maximize productivity and ensure timely project completion.

Production Planning: In a manufacturing plant, the Knapsack Algorithm can be applied to

optimize production planning. For example, in a furniture manufacturing company, the algorithm
can assist in selecting the most profitable combination of furniture pieces to produce, considering
factors like available raw materials, production capacity, and customer demand.

Portfolio Optimization: In investment management, the Knapsack Algorithm can be utilized to

optimize investment portfolios. For instance, a wealth management firm can use the algorithm to
select a combination of stocks, bonds, and other financial assets that maximize the portfolio's
expected return while maintaining a certain level of risk.
 Real- Life Applications
Cutting Stock Problem: In a packaging company, the Knapsack Algorithm can be employed to
solve the cutting stock problem. For instance, the algorithm can determine the most efficient way
to cut large rolls of paper or fabric into smaller pieces to minimize waste and optimize the
production of packaging materials.

Telecommunication Networks: In telecommunications, the Knapsack Algorithm can be used to

optimize network infrastructure. For example, a telecommunications provider can apply the
algorithm to select the most cost-effective set of network components, such as routers and
switches, to build or upgrade their network infrastructure while considering factors like
performance requirements and budget constraints.

These specific scenarios demonstrate how the Knapsack Algorithm can be applied to various
real-world problems, helping organizations make optimal resource allocation decisions and
improve overall operational efficiency.
 Limitations
Complexity: The Knapsack Algorithm has a computational complexity that increases
exponentially with the number of items and the capacity of the knapsack. This can make it
impractical to solve large-scale instances of the problem in a reasonable amount of time.

Perfect Information: The algorithm assumes perfect information about the values and weights of
the items. In real-world scenarios, these values may be uncertain or subject to change, leading
to suboptimal solutions.

Integer Constraints: The algorithm assumes that items are indivisible (0/1 Knapsack) or can be
divided into fractional parts (Fractional Knapsack). However, in certain situations, the problem
may involve items with discrete quantities, such as selecting a fixed number of items rather than
just their fractional amounts.
 Extensions
Approximation Algorithms: To overcome the computational complexity, researchers have developed
approximation algorithms that provide near-optimal solutions within a reasonable time frame. These
algorithms sacrifice optimality to achieve faster computation and can be useful in practical applications.

Heuristic Approaches: Heuristic techniques, such as genetic algorithms or simulated annealing, can be
employed to find good solutions in a reasonable amount of time. These methods use iterative
optimization processes to explore the solution space and converge on suboptimal but acceptable
solutions.

Dynamic Capacity: In some scenarios, the capacity of the knapsack may change dynamically over time.
Extending the algorithm to handle dynamic capacity constraints can be beneficial in situations where the
available space varies during the decision-making process.

Multiple Constraints: In real-world applications, the Knapsack Problem may involve multiple constraints
beyond just capacity, such as budget limitations or time constraints. Modifying the algorithm to
incorporate multiple constraints can enhance its applicability to a wider range of problems.
 Conclusion
Knapsack Algorithm: Fundamental optimization technique for solving the Knapsack Problem,
maximizing value within capacity constraints.
Greedy vs. Dynamic Programming: Greedy approach makes local decisions based on value-to-
weight ratio, while Dynamic Programming breaks down problem into subproblems.
Trade-offs: Greedy approach sacrifices optimality for simplicity and efficiency, while Dynamic
Programming guarantees optimality at the cost of more computational resources.
Complexity Analysis: Dynamic Programming achieves polynomial time complexity through
memoization or tabulation, suitable for moderate-sized problem instances.
Applications: Resource allocation, production planning, portfolio optimization, cutting stock
problems, and telecommunication networks benefit from the Knapsack Algorithm.
Limitations and Extensions: Considerations include computational complexity, assumptions, and
potential extensions such as approximation algorithms and handling multiple constraints.
Thank You