First, an integer programming model is proposed to find an α-labeling for quadratic graphs (, 4). Then, a Tabu search algorithm is developed to solve large scale problems. The proposed approach can generate α-labeling for special classes of quadratic graphs (, 4), 6 ≤ ≤ 10, 2 ≤ ≤ 10, not previously reported in the literature. Then, the main theorem of the paper is presented. We show how a problem in graph theory can be modeled and solved by an integer programming model and a metaheuristic approach.