Optimization

Optimization
Interestingly the most effective use of minerals is not always as simply as it seems. As a general rule the highest mineral producing planet is good to have minerals produced there but not always. Using general rules ratios is of food and mineral production is usually pretty effective but it doesn't describe the best to build ships on. The link below shows an excel spreadsheet that gives a good idea of the best focus to put your planets and maintain your population. It is uses a solver that can easily be added on but it solves in decimals so the rounded focus could be slightly less efficient. Although it makes it slightly less useful but it still gives a good idea.

An excel tool
The optimizer

Instructions to use the solver tool
Step 1) go to "File" at the top of Excel

Step 2) on the side panel go to the bottom to the "options" tab

Step 3) go to "Add-ins" on the right panel

Step 4) click on the arrow pointing down next to "Manage:"

Step 5) pick the option that says "Excel Add-ins" and then click go

Step 6) Select the box that is next to Solver Add-in to get a check mark and click "OK"

This will add the solver Add-in to excel

Step 7) go to "Data" at the top of Excel

Step 8) At the far right above Analysis click "Solver"

Step 9) set objective to K10 or $K$10

Step 10) In the "To:" option select "Max"

Step 11) Choose the Variable Cells: H3-H9,F3-F9,J3-J9 or $H$3:$H$9,$F$3:$F$9,$J$3:$J$9

Step 12) Add the Subject the Constraints:

C12=0

F3-F9 <= 100

H3-H9 <= 100

J3-J9 <= 100

K11 = 0

L3-L9 = 100

Click on the cells to achieve this in the constraints. The order doesn't matter but they should be indented and separated by lines from each other.

Click solve when you wish to get the most optimal focus for a particular star.

Note that it is in decimal form so adjustments will have to be made if used in game.

Note if the system is smaller than 7 planets just set its population to 0 and it will not be solved by the optimizer and it will only focus on the other planets that have a population.