A Gradient Formula for Linear Chance Constraints Under Gaussian Distribution

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Henrion, Rene; Moeller, Andris
• 署名单位: Leibniz Association; Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis & Stochastics
• 刊物名称: MATHEMATICS OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0364-765X
• DOI: 10.1287/moor.1120.0544
• 发表日期: 2012
• 页码: 475-488
• 关键词: probability functions; derivatives

摘要

We provide an explicit gradient formula for linear chance constraints under a (possibly singular) multivariate Gaussian distribution. This formula allows one to reduce the calculus of gradients to the calculus of values of the same type of chance constraints (in smaller dimension and with different distribution parameters). This is an important aspect for the numerical solution of stochastic optimization problems because existing efficient codes for, e.g., calculating singular Gaussian distributions or regular Gaussian probabilities of polyhedra can be employed to calculate gradients at the same time. Moreover, the precision of gradients can be controlled by that of function values, which is a great advantage over using-finite difference approximations. Finally, higher order derivatives are easily derived explicitly. The use of the obtained formula is illustrated for an example of a transportation network with stochastic demands.