Combinatorial algorithms for the minmax robust median subtree problem on tree networks with interval vertex weights

Abstract

The typical median subtree problem on trees is to locate a (continuous) tree-shaped facility (the leaves of this facility are not necessary vertices) with a specified length to minimize the total weighted distance of all vertices to the new facility. In this paper, each vertex weight can be any value within an interval and the total deviation of weights is limited within a threshold. We want to find a subtree that minimizes the median function in the worst-case scenario. This is the so-called minmax robust median subtree problem on trees. In order to solve the problem, we first consider the minmax robust 1-median problem on trees and solve the problem in [Formula: see text] time. Then, the nestedness property is coined, i.e., any optimal subtree must contain a robust 1-median in the tree. Based on this property, we develop a greedy algorithm that solves the corresponding problem in [Formula: see text] time.