The branch and bound method is a solution approach that partitions the feasible solution space into smaller subsets of solutions. It is used to solve integer programming problems by first solving the problem without integer restrictions to obtain a relaxed solution. This solution is used to create the initial node in a branch and bound diagram. The solution space is then partitioned by adding constraints to eliminate fractional parts of variables, creating child nodes. The problem is solved at each node to obtain upper and lower bounds. Branching continues from the most promising node until an optimal integer solution is found.