Set Covering Problem

The Set Covering Problem involves selecting the smallest possible collection of items (sets) so that all elements in a universe are included at least once. Imagine you want to cover all locations with a limited number of service centers, choosing the fewest centers needed so every location is served. It's a common challenge in logistics, network design, and resource allocation, where the goal is to efficiently cover or monitor all points while minimizing costs or resources. Essentially, it’s about finding the most efficient way to 'cover' everything using the least number of groups or resources.