Solving linear programming problems stated in English by computer

Abstract

A system has been developed to process certain types of linear programming problems stated initially in English. The problem statements are restricted to a prescribed grammar, with limited vocabulary, and subject to certain conventions [5]. In some respects, it resembles other systems which also accept problem statements in English. For example, BASEBALL [3] answers certain questions about baseball games, STUDENT [1] solves some elementary algebra problems, ELIZA [6] conducts “conversations” in English with humans, and Winograd's one-eyed robot works only with the “block world” [7]. However, the system described in this paper has been designed with certain rather practical uses in mind.