Method and apparatus solving problems having interval parameters

A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for solving a problem through an interval solution process, the method comprising:

• receiving a representation of the problem, wherein the problem includes a number of variables x1, x2, x3, . . . xn and at least one interval parameter p;
• storing the representation in a computer memory;
• and
• performing the interval solution process on the problem;
• wherein the interval solution process involves,
• splitting the problem into sub-problems by splitting the interval parameter p into subintervals, and creating a separate sub-problem for each subinterval, and
• performing the interval solution process on the sub-problems.

An apparatus that solves a problem through an interval solution process, comprising:

• a computer memory for storing a representation of the problem, wherein the problem includes a number of variables x1, x2, x3, . . . xn and at least one interval parameter p;
• an interval solution mechanism that is configured to,
• split the problem into sub-problems by,
• splitting the interval parameter p into subintervals, and
• creating a separate sub-problem for each subinterval, and to
• perform the interval solution process on the sub-problems.