UNIT 4

LINEAR PROGRAMMING

Linear Programming

Structure
4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6

Introduction
Objectives
Linear Programming
Techniques of Solving Linear Programming Problem
Cost Minimisation
Answers to Check Your Progress
Summary

4.0

INTRODUCTION

We first make the idea clear through an illustration.

Suppose a furniture company makes chairs and tables only. Each chair gives
a profit of ` 20 whereas each table gives a profit of `30. Both products are
processed by three machines Ml, M2 and M3. Each chair requires 3 hrs 5 hrs
and 2 hrs on Ml, M2 and M3. respectively, whereas the corresponding figures
for each table are 3, 2, 6. The machine M l can work for 36 hrs per week,
whereas M2 and M3 can work for 50 hrs and 60 hrs, respectively. How many
chairs and tables should be manufactured per week to maximise the profit?
We begin by assuming that x chairs and y tables, be manufactured per week.
The profit of the company will be ` (20x + 30y) per week. Since the objective
of the company is to maximise its profit, we have to find out the maximum
possible value of P = 20x + 30y. We call this as the objective function.
To manufacture x chairs and y tables, the company will require (3x + 3y) hrs
on machine M1 . But the total time available on machine M1 is 36 hrs.
Therefore, we have a constraint 3x + 3y 36.
Similarly, we have the constraint 5x + 2y 50 for the machine M2 and the
constraint

2x + 6y 60 for the machine M3.

Also since it is not possible for the company to produce negative number of
chairs and tables, we must have x 0 and y 0. The above problem can now be
written in the following format :

79

Vectors and Three

Dimensional Geometry

Maximise
P = 20x + 30y
subject to
3x + 3y 36
5x + 2 y 50
2 x + 6y 60
x 0, y 0

and

We now plot the region bounded by constraints in Fig. 1 The shaded region is
called the feasible region or the solution space as the coordinators of any point
lying in this region always satisfy the constraints. Students are encouraged to
verify this by taking points (2,2),(2,4) (4,2) which lies in the feasible region.

25

5x
y=

+2
50

12

(3,
9)
10

2x

+6
y=

3x
+

60

3y
=

10

36
12

30

Figure 1

We redraw the feasible region without shading to clarify another concept (see
Figure 2).

For any particular value of P, we can draw in the objective function as a straight
2
line with slope
This is because P = 20x + 30 y is a straight line, which
3
can be written as
y=
80

2
P
x
3
30

Linear Programming

A(0,10)
10
B(3,9)

Equal Profit lines

Direction of
Increasing Profit

0(0,0)

10
Figure 2

and this generates a family of parallel lines with slope

but with different
intercepts on the axes. On any particular line, the different combinations of x
and y (chairs and tables) all yield the same profit (P).

higher y-intercepts yield higher profits.

The problem is therefore to maximise the y-intercept, while at the same time
remaining within constraints (or, feasible region). The part of the profit line
which fall within the feasible region have been heavily drawn. Profit lines drawn
farthest away from the origin (0, 0) yield the highest profits. Therefore, the
highest profit yielded within the feasible region is at point B(3, 9). Therefore,
the maximum profit is given by ` (20 3 + 30 9) = ` 330.
We are now ready for the definition of linear programming the technique of
solving the problem such as above.
What is Linear Programming
Linear because the equations and relationships introduced are linear. Note that
all the constraints and the objective functions are linear. Programming is used in
the sense of method, rather than in the computing sense.

81

Vectors and Three

In
Dimensional Geometry

fact, linear programming is a technique for specifying how to use limited

resources or capacities of a business to obtain a particular objective, such as
least cost, highest margin or least time, when those resources have alternative
uses.

4.1

OBJECTIVES

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

define the terms-objective function, constraints, feasible region,
feasible solution, optimal solution and linear programming;
draw feasible region and use it to obtain optimal solution;
tell when there are more than one optimal solutions; and
know when the problem has no optimal solution.

4.2

LINEAR

PROGRAMMING

We begin by listing some definitions.

Definitions
Objective Functions: If a1, a2, . . . , an are constants and x1 x2, ..., xn are
variables, then the linear function Z = a1x1 + a2x2 +...+ anxn which is to be
maximised or minimised is called objective function*.
Constraints: These are the restrictions to be satisfied by the variables x1,
x2 ..., xn. These are usually expressed as inequations and equations.
Non-negative Restrictions: The values of the variables x1 x2, ..., xn
involved in the linear programming problem (LPP) are greater than or
equal to zero (This is so because most of the variable represent some
economic or physical variable.)
Feasible Region: The common region determined by all the constraints of
an LPP is called the feasible region of the LPP.
Feasible Solution: Every point that lies in the feasible region is called a
feasible solution. Note that each point in the feasible region satisfies all the
constraints for the LPP.
Optimal Solution: A feasible solution that maximises or minimizes the
objective function is called an optimal solution of the LPP.
*
82

In this unit we shall work with just two variables.

Linear Programming

Definition
Convex Region
A region R in the coordinate plane is said to be convex if whenever we take two
points A and B in the region R, the segment joining A and B lies completely in
R.
The student may observe that a feasible region for a linear programming is a
convex region.
One of the properties of the convex region is that maximum and minimum values
of a function defined on convex regions occur at the corner points only. Since
all feasible regions are convex regions, maximum and minimum values of
optimal functions occur at the corner points of the feasible region.
The region of Figure 3 is convex but that of Figure 4 is not convex.
y

B
B

x
Figure 3 : Convex Region

x
Figure 4 : Not Convex

4.3 TECHNIQUES OF SOLVING LINEAR PROGRAMMING

PROBLEM
There are two techniques of solving an L.P.P. (Linear Programming Problem)
by graphical method. These are
(i)
Corner point method, and
(ii)
Iso profit or Iso-cost method.
The following procedure lists the coner point method.
Corner Point Method*
Step 1 Plot the feasible region.
Step 2 Find the coordinates of the cornor points of the feasible region.
Step 3 Calculate the value of the objective function at each of the corner points
of the feasible region.
Step 4 Pick up the maximum (or minimum) value of the objective function
from amongst the points in step 3.
* The method explained in Example 1 is the iso-profit method. You are advised to use corner
method unless you are specifically asked to do the problem by the iso -profit or
method.

iso-cost
83

Vectors and Three

Example
Dimensional Geometry

1 Find the maximum value of 5x + 2y subject to the constraints

2x 3y 6
x 2y 2
6x + 4y 24
3x +2y 3
x 0, y 0.

Solution
Let us denote 5x + 2y by P.
Note that 2x 3y 6 can be written as 2x + 3 y 6.
We can write the given LPP in the following format :
Maximise
P = 5x + 2y
subject to
2x + 3y 6

(I)

x 2y 2

(II)

6x + 4y 24

(III)

3x +2y 3
and

(IV)

x 0, y 0

We plot the feasible region bounded by the given constraints in Figure 5

The lines I and II intersect in A (18/7, 2/7)

The lines II and III intersect in B (7/2, 3/4)
The lines III and IV intersect in C (3/2, 15/4)
The lines IV and I intersect in D (3/13, 24/13)
Let us evaluate P at A, B, C and D

P(A) = 5 (18/7) + (2/7)

= 94/7

P(C) = 5 (3/2) + 2(15/4) = 15

P(B) = 5 (7/2) + 2(3/4) =19

P(D) = 5 (3/13) + 2(24/13)= 63/13

Thus, maximum value of P is 19 and its occurs at x = 7/2, y =3/4.

84

Linear Programming
III

+
6x
4
y
=
2, 1
5/
4)

24
C

(3
/

I
2x

+3
y

/ 4)
,3
2
/
7
B(

IV

-3

x+
2y

II

-1

2
x-

y=

Figure 5

Example 2 Find the maximum value of 2x + y subject to the constraints

x + 3y 6
x 3y 3
3x + 4y 24
3x + 2y 6
5x + y 5
x, y 0
Solution
We write the given question in the following format :
Maximise
P = 2x + y
subject to
x + 3y 6
x 3y 3
3x + 4y 24
3x + 2y 6
5x + y 5
and x 0, y 0

(I)
(II)
(III)
(IV)
(V)
(VI)
85

Vectors and Three

The
Dimensional Geometry

feasible region is sketched in Figure 6

Y

V
6
C(4/3,5)

5
4
3

A(9/2,1/2)
IV

-2

-1

V
III

II

Figure 6

The lines I and II intersect in

A(9/2, 1/2)

The lines II and III intersect in B(84/13, 15/13)

The lines III and IV intersect in C(4/3, 5)
The lines IV and V intersect in D(4/13, 45/13)
The lines V and I intersect in E(9/14, 25/14).
Let us evaluate P at the points A, B, C, D and E as follows:
P(A) = 2(9/2) + 1/2 = 19/2
P(B) = 2(84/13) + 15/13 = 183/13
P(C) = 2(4/3) + 5 = 23/3
P(D) = 2(4/13) + 45/13 = 53/13
P(E) = 2(9/14) + 25/14 = 43/14
The maximum value of P is 183/13 which occurs at x = 84/13 and y = 15/13.
Example 3: An aeroplane can carry a maximum of 200 passengers. A profit of
` 400 is made on each first class ticket and a profit of ` 300 is made on
each economy class ticket. The airline reserves at least 20 seats for first class.
However, at least 4 times as many passengers prefer to travel by economy
class than by first class. Determine how many of each type of tickets must be
sold in order to maximise the profit for the airline? What is the maximum profit?
86

Linear Programming

Solution
Let number of first class tickets sold be x and the number of economy class tickets
sold be y.
As the airline makes a profit of `400 on first calss and `300 on economy class,
the profit of the airlines is 400x + 300y
As the aeroplane can carry maximum of 200 passengers, we must have
x + y 200. As the airline reserves at least 20 tickets for the first class, x 20.
Next, as the number of passengers preferring economy class is at least four times
the number of passengers preferring the first class, we must have y 4x.
Also, x 0, y 0.
Therefore the LPP is
Maximixe
P = 400x + 300y
x + y 200,
y 20
y 4x
x 0, y 0

subject to

[objective function]
[capacity function]
[first class function]
[preference constraint]
[non-negativity]

We plot the feasible region in Figure 7

y

200
C(20,180)

B(40,160)

A(20,80)

x
0

20

200

Figure
7 7
Figure

We now calculate the profit at the corner points of the feasible region.
P(A) = P(20,80) = (400)(20) + (300)(80) = 8000 + 24000 = 32000
P(B) = P(20,160) = (400)(40) + (300)(160) = 64000
P(C) = P(20,180) = (400)(20) + (300)(180) = 62000
Hence, profit of the airlines maximum at B i.e., when 40 tickets of first class
and 160 tickets of ecoomy class are sold. Also, maximum profit is ` 64,000.
87

Vectors and Three

Example
Dimensional Geometry

4: Suriti wants to invest at most ` 12000 in Savings Certificate and

National Savings Bonds. She has to invest at least ` 2000 in Savings
Certificate and at least ` 4000 in National Savings Bonds. If the rate of interest
in Saving Certificate is 8% per annum and the rate of interest on National
Saving Bond is 10% per annum, how much money should she invest to earn
maximum yearly income ? Find also the maximum yearly income ?
Solution
Suppose Suriti invests ` x in saving certificate and ` y in National Savings
Bonds.
As she has just ` 12000 to invest, we must have x + y 12000.
Also, as she has to invest at least ` 2000 in savings certificate x 2000.
Next, as she must invest at least Rs. 4000 in National Savings Certificate
y 4000. Yearly income from saving certificate = `
= 0.08x and from
National Savings Bonds = `

= Rs. 0.1y

Her total income is ` P where

P = 0.08x + 0.1y
Thus, the linear programming problem is
Maximise

subject to
x + y 12000
x 2000

[Total Money Constraint]

[Savings Certificate Constraint]

y 4000
x 0, y 0

[National Savings Bonds Constraint]

[ Non-negativity Constraint]

However, note that the constraints x 0, y 0, are redundant in view of

x 2000 and y 4000.
We draw the feasible region in Figure 8

88

Linear Programming

12000
C(2000,10000)

x+

4000

A(2000, 4000)

y=

12

00

0
Y = 4000
B(8000, 4000)

X = 2000
2000

x
12000

Figure 8

We now calculate the profit at the corner points of the feasible region.
We have
P(A)

= P(2000,4000) = (0.08) (2000) + (0.1)(4000)

= 160 +400 = 560
P(B) = P(8000,4000) = (0.08) (2000) + (0.1)(4000)
= 640 +400 = 1040
P(C) = P(2000,10000) = (0.08) (2000) + (0.1)(10000)
= 160 +1000 =1160.
Thus, she must invest ` 2000 in Savings certificate and ` 10000 in National
Savings Bonds in order to earn maximum income.
Example 5 If a young man rides his motor cycle at 25 km per hour, he has to
spend ` 2 per km on petrol; if he rides it at a faster speed of 40 km per hour,
the petrol cost increases to ` 5 per km. He wishes to spend at most ` 100 on
petrol and wishes to find what is maximum distance he can travel within one
hour. Express this as a linear programming problem and then solve it.
Solution
Let x km be the distance travlled at the rate of 25 km/h and y km be the
distance travelled at the rate of 40 km/h. Then the total distance covered by the
young man is D = (x + y) km.
The money spent in travelling x km (at the rate of 25 km/h) is 2x and the money
spent in travelling y km (at the rate of 40 km/h) is 5y. Thus, total money spent
during the journey is ` (2x +5y). Since the young man wishes to spend at most
Rs. 100 on the journey, we must have 2x + 5y 100.
89

Vectors and Three

Dimensional Geometry

Also, note that x 0, y 0.

The mathematical formulation of the linear programming problem is
Maximise
D=x+y
subject to
2x + 5y 100

and x 0, y 0.
The feasible region is sketched in Figure 9.
Y

40

C(0,20)

30

20

50 40
3

10

A(25,0) A(25,0)
0

10

20

30

40

x
50

Figure 9
Figure 9

The corner points of feasible region are O(0,0), A(25,0),

Let us evaluate D at these points

D(O) = 0 + 0 = 0
D(A) = 25 + 0 = 25

90

D(C) = 0 + 20 = 20
Thus, the maximum values of D is 30 which occurs at x = 50/3, y = 40/3

Linear Programming

When do we have Multiple Solutions ?

Whenever the objective function isoprofit (iso-cost) line is parallel to one of the
constraints we have multiple optimal solutions to the linear programming
problem. We illustrate this in the following example.
Example 6 The xyz company manufactures two products A and B. They are
processed on the same machine. A takes 10 mintues per item and B takes 2
minutes per items on the machine. The machine can run for a maximum of 35
hours in a week. Product A requires 1 kg and product B 0.5 kg of the raw
material per item, the supply of which is 600 kg per week. Note more than 800
items of product B are required per week. If the product A costs ` 5 per items
and can be sold for ` 10 and Product B costs ` 6 per items and can be sold for
` 8 per item. Determine how many items per week be produced for A and B
in order to maximize the profit.
Solution
We summarise the information given in the question as follows :
Product A (x)

Product B(y)

Constraint

Machine

10 (min. per item)

2 (min. per item)

35

Material

1 (kg per item)

0.5 (kg per item)

600

for the Proudct B

800

` (86) = ` 2 per
item

Maximise P

Number
Profit

` (10 5) = ` 5
per item

60 = 2100

Suppose x items of A and y items of B are be manufactured. The given

problem can be written as follows.
Maximise
P = 5x + 2y
subject to
10x + 2y 2100

(Machine constraint)

x + 0.5y 600

(Material constraint)

y 800

(Restriction on B)

x 0, y 0

(Non-negativity)

The feasible region has been shaded in Figure 10.

91

Vectors and Three

Dimensional Geometry

y
1200

1000

A(0,800)
Y = 800

800
B(50,800)

600
x+
+
10 x

0 .5
y

2y

400

60
0

00
=6

200
C(210,0)
0(0,0)

100

200

300

x
400

500

600

Figure
1010
Figure

We now calculate the value of P at the corner points of the feasible region
P(A) = P(0,800) = 1600
P(B) = P(50,800) = 1850
P(C) = P(210,0) = 1050
P(O) = P(0,0) = 0
Maximum profit is ` 1850 for x = 50 and y = 800
Redundant Constraints
In the above example, the constraitn x + 0.5, y 600 does not affect the
feasible region. Such a constraints is called as redundant constraint.
Redundant constraints are unnecessary in the formulation and solution of the
problem, because they do not affect the feasible region.
Example 7 The manager of an oil refinery wants to decide on the optimal mix
of two possible blending processes 1 and 2, of which the inputs and outputs per
product runs as follows :

92

Process

Crude A

Crude B

Gasoline X

Gasoline Y

The maximum amounts available of crudes A and B are 200 untis and 150 Linear Programming
units, respectively. At least 100 units of gasoline X and 80 untis of Y are
required. The profit per production run from processes 1 and 2 ` 300 and Rs.
400 respectively. Formulate the above as linear programming and solve it by
graphical method.
Solution
Let process 1 be run x times and process 2 be y times. The mathematical
formulation of the above linear programming problem is given by
Maximise
P = 300 x + 400 y
subject to
5x + 4y 200

(constraint on Crude A)

3x + 5y 200

(constraint on Crude B)

5x + 4y 100

(constraint on gasoline X)

8x + 4y 80

(constraint on gasoline Y)

x 0, y 0

(non-negativity)

The feasible region has been shaded in Figure 11.

We have
P(A) = P(0,30) = 12000

P(C) = P(40,0) = 12,000

P(D) = P(25,0) = 7500
P(E) = P(0,200) = 8000

1 and 11 runs of process 2 will give maximum profit.

93

Vectors and Three

Dimensional Geometry

Y
50

5x

40

+
4y
A(0,30)
=
20
3x
0
+5
30
y=
150

E(0,25)
20

5x
+
8x

+4
y=

=
4y

10

B
10
0

80

C(40,0)
x
60

D(20,0)

10

20

25

30

40

50

Figure 11

Remark : The constraint 8x + 4y 80 does not affect the feasible region, that
is, the constraint 8x + 4y 80 is a redundant constraint.
No Feasible Solution
In case the solution space or the feasible region is empty, that is, there is no
point which satisfies all the constraints, we say that the linear programming
problem has no feasible solution.

Illustration : We illustrate this in the following linear programming problem.

Maximise
P = 2x + 5y
subject to

x + 2y 10
x 12
and
x 0, y 0
we draw the feasible region in Fig 12.
10

12

Figure 12

The direction of arrows indicate that the feasible region is empty. Hence, the
given linear programming problem has no feasible solution.
Unbounded solution
Sometimes the feasible region is unbounded. In such cases, the optimal
solution may not exist, because the value of the objective function goes on
increasing in the unbounded region.
94

Linear Programming

Illustration Let us look at the following illustration.

Maximise
P = 7x + 5y
subject to
2x + 5y 10
x4
y3
x 0, y 0
has no bounded solution.
We draw the feasible region in Fig. 13
y

3
2

Figure 13

The constraint 2x + 5y 10 is a redundant constraint.

The feasible region is unbounded. Note that the linear programming problem
has no bounded solution.
Chcek Your Progress 1
1. Best Gift Packs company manufactures two types of gift packs, type A and
type B. Type A requires 5 minutes each for cutting and 10 minutes
assembling it. Type B requires 8 minutes each for cutting and 8 minutes
each for assembling. There are at most 200 minutes available for cutting
and at most 4 hours available for assembling. The profit is ` 50 each for
type A and ` 25 each for type B. How many gift packs of each type should
the company manufacture in order to maximise the profit ?
2. A manufacturer makes two types of furniture, chairs and tables. Both the
products are processed on three machines A 1, A2 and A3. Machine A1
requires 3 hrs for a chair and 3 hrs for a table, machine A 2 requires 5 hrs
for a chair and 2 hrs for a table and machine A 3 requires 2 hrs a chair
and 6 hrs for a table. Maximum time available on machine A 1, A2, A3 is
36 hrs, 50 hrs and 60 hrs respectively. Profits are ` 20 per chair and
` 30 per table. Formulate the above as a linear programming problem to
maximise the profit and solve it.

95

Vectors and Three

3.
Dimensional Geometry

A manufacturer wishes to produce two types of steel trunks. He has two

machines A and B. For completing, the first type of trunk, he requires 3
hrs on machine A and 2 hrs on machine B whereas the second type of trunk
requires 3 hrs on machine A and 3 hrs on machine B. Machines A and B can
work at the most for 18 hrs and 14 hrs per day respectively. He earns a
profit of `30 and ` 40 per trunk of first type and second type respectively.
How many trunks of each type must he make each day to make
maximum profit? What is his maximum profit?
4. A new businessman wants to make plastic buckets. There are two types
of available plastic bucket making machines. One type of machine
makes 120 buckets a day, occupies 20 square metres and is
operated by 5 men. The corresponding data for second type of
machine is 80 buckets, 24 square metres and 3 men. The available
resources with the businessman are 200 sq. metres and 40 men. How
many machines of each type the manufacturer should buy, so as to
maximise the number of buckets?
5. A producer has 20 and 10 units of labour and capital respectively which
he can use to produce two kinds of goods X and Y. To produce one unit
of goods X, 2 units of capital and 1 unit of labour is required. To
produce one unit of goods Y, 3 units of labour and 1 unit of capital is
required. If X and Y are priced at ` 80 and ` 100 per unit
respectively, how should the producer use his resources to maximize
the total revenue? Solve the problem graphically.
6. A firm has available two kinds of fruit juices pineapple and
orange juice. These are mixed and the two types of mixtures are
obtained which are sold as soft drinks A and B. One tin of A needs 4
kgs of pineapple juice and 1 kg of orange juice. One tin of B needs 2
kgs of pineapple juice and 3 kgs of orange juice. The firm has
available only 46 kgs of pineapple juice and 24 kgs of orange juice.
Each tin of A and B sold at a profit of ` 4 and ` 2 respectively. How
many tins of A and B should the firm produce to maximise profit?

4.4

COST MINIMISATION

We illustrate the concept by the following example.

Example 7 : A farm is engaged in breeding pigs. The pigs are fed on
various products grown on the farm. In view of the need to ensure, certain
nutrient constituents, it is necessary to buy two products (call them A and B)
in addition. The contents of the various products, per unit, in nutrient
constituents (e.g., vitamins, proteins, etc.) is given in the following table:
Nutrients
M1
M2
M3
96

Nutrient content in product

A
B
36
6
3
12
20
10

Minimum amount of
nutrient
108
36
100

The last column of the above table gives the minimum amounts of nutrient
constituients M1, M2, M3 which must given to the pigs. If products A and B cost
` 20 and ` 40 per unit respectively, how much each of these two products

Linear Programming

should be bought, so that the total cost is minimised?

Solution
Let x units of A and y units B be purchased. Our goal is to minimise the total
cost
C = 20x + 40y
By using x units of A and y units of B, we shall get 36x + 6y units of
M1 Since we need at least 108 units of M1, we must have
36x + 6y 108
Similarly for M2 we have 3x + 12y 36 and for M3 we have 20x + 10y 100.
Also, we cannot use negative numbers of x and y. Thus, our problem is
Minimise
C = 20x + 40y
subject to
36x + 6y 108
3x + 12y 36
20x + 10y 100
x 0, y 0

We now draw the constraints on the same graph to obtain the feasible region.
Since x 0, y 0, we shall restrict ourself only to the first quadrant. See
Figure 14. We obtain point B by solving 36x + 6y = 108 and 20x + 10y = 100
and point C by solving 3x + 12y = 36 and 20x + 10y = 100. The feasible region
has been shaded.

97

Vectors and Three

Dimensional Geometry

18 A(0.18)
36 x
=
6y
+1
x+

10 8

20

10

B(2,6)

y
10
=

0
10

C(4,2)
3x +1
2y =36

D(12,0)
12

Figure14

We next draw a family of straight lines

with varying values of C. See Figure 15

y
Equal Cost lines

6
5
4

C
C

C
C

2
1

C
C

40

80

12
0

0 1 2 3 4

20

24
0

Direction Increasing Cost

16 0
0

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Figure 15

It is clear from here that in order to have least possible cost, we should take
a cost line which intersects the feasible region and is as near to the origin
as possible. Therefore we should consider only the corner points of the
98

feasible region as possible candidates for least cost.

Linear Programming

C(A) = C(0, 18) = 720

C(B) = C(2, 6) = 20 2 + 40 6 = 280
C (C )=C (4,2)=20 4+ 402= 160
C(D) = C(12, 0) = 240
Minimum cost is obtained at C, that is, for x = 4, y= 2. Minimum possible
cost is `160.
Remark: The procedure for finding least cost is the same as that for the
maximization of profit.
Example 8 A diet for a sick person must contain at least 1400
units of vitamins, 50 units of minerals and 1400 of calories. Two foods
A and B are available at a cost of ` 4 and ` 3 per unit, respectively. If one
unit of A contains 200 units of vitamins, one unit of mineral and 40
calories and one unit of food B contains 100 units of vitamins, two units of
minerals and 40 calories. Find what combination of food be used to have
least cost?
Solution
Let x units of food A and y units of food B be used to give the sick person the
least quantities of vitamins, minerals and calories.
The total cost of the food is C = 4x + 3y. We wish to minimise C.
By consuming x units of A and y units of B, the sick person will get
200x + 100 y units of vitamins. Since the least quantity of vitamin required is
1400, we must have 200x + 100y 1400

A(0,35)
35

25

x+
2y

=5
0
B(20,15)

x+
40
y

0
10

40

+
0x
20

14

=1

0
40

=
7

00
14

35

(E 50,0 )
50

Figure16

Similarly, we must have

Minerals : x + 2y 50
Calories : 40x + 40y 1400

99

Vectors and Three

Also,
Dimensional Geometry

since x and y cannot be negative, we must have x 0, y 0

Thus, the linear programming problem is
Minimise
C = 4x + 3 y
subject to
200 x + 100 y 1400
x + 2y 50
40x + 40 y 1400
and

x 0, y 0

We draw the feasible region of the above linear programming problem in fig.
16. Note that constraint 200x + 100 y 1400 is a redundant constraint. The
other two intersect in (20,15).
The corner points of the feasible regions are A(0, 35), B(20,15) and E(50,0).
We find the value of C at each of these corner points.
C(A) = 4(0) + 3(35) = 105
C(B) = 4(20) + 3(15) = 125
C(E) = 4(50) + 3(0) = 200
Thus, least cost is occurs at x = 0, y =35.
Example 9 Every gram of wheat provides 0.1 g of proteins and 0.25 g of
carbohydrates. The corresponding values for rice are 0.05 g and 0.5 g, respectively.
Wheat costs `2 per kg and rice ` 8. The minimum daily requirements of protein and
carbohydrates for an average child are 50 g and 200 g, respectively. In what quantities should wheat and rice be mixed in the daily diet to provide the minimum daily
requirements of protein and carbohydrates at minimum cost? (The protein and
carbohydrate values given here are fictitious and may be quite different from the
actual values.)
Solution
Let x kg of wheat and y kg of rice be given to the child to give him at least
the minimum requirements of protein and carbohydrates. Then cost of the
food is (2x + 8y) = C (say).
Since one gram wheat contains 0.1 g of proteins, x kg of wheat will contain
(1000 x) (0.1) = 100 x grams of protein.

100

Similarly, y kg of rice contain (100 y) (0.05) = 50 y grams of protein. Thus,

x kg of wheat and y kg of rice will contain (100 x + 50 y) gms of protein.

As the minimum requirement of protein is 50 g, we must have

100x + 50y 50.
Similarly, for carbohydrate, we must have

Linear Programming

(1000x) (0.25) + (1000y) (0.5) 200

or
250x + 500y 200
Also, x and y must be non-negative, that is, x 0, y 0.
Thus, the linear programming problem is
Minimise
C= 2x + 8y
subject to
100x + 50y 50
250x + 500y 200
x 0, y 0.

and

We draw the feaible region of its problem in Figure 17

A(0,1)

0.4

2 1
,
5 5
E(0.8,0)

0.8

Figure17

The corner points of the feasible region are A(0,1), B(2/5,1/5) and E(0.8,0).
Let us evaluate C at the conrer points of the feasible region.
C (A) = 2(0) + 8(1) = 8
C ( B) = 2

2
1
12
=8
=
5
5
5

2.4

C (E) = 2(0.8) + 8(0) = 1.6

Thus, the cost is least when x = 0.8, y = 0. The least cost is Rs. 1.60.

101

Vectors and Three

Example
Dimensional Geometry

10 An animal feed manufacturer produces a compound

mixture from two materials A and B. A costs `2 per kilograms and B,
` 4 per kilogram. Material A is supplied in packs of 25 kilograms and
material B in packs of 50 kilograms. A batch of at least 1,00,000
kilograms of the mixture is to be produced with the specification that at
least 40,000 kilograms of material A, should be used in the manufacture,
which ensures the minimum guaranteed content of the ingredient.
How many packs of A and B should be purchased in order to minimise cost?
Solution
Let x packs of A and y packs of B be purchased in order to meet the
requirement. Our goal is to minimise the total cost. The total cost is
C=2

25 + 4

50y = 50x + 200y

The constraints are

25x + 50y 100000
50x 40000
Therefore, the linear programming problem is
Minimise
C = 50x + 200y
subject to
25x + 50y 100000
50x 40000
x 0, y 0
We can rewrite the problem as
Minimise
C = 50x + 200y
subject to
x + 2y 4000
x 800
x 0, y 0
The feasible region of the above linear programming problem is
given in Figure 17
Let us evaluate C at the corner points of the feasible region.
C(A) = 50

800 + 50 1600

= 40000 + 80000 = 120000

102

C(B) = 50 4000 + 50

0 = 200000

Linear Programming
3000

2000

A (800,1600)

1000

B(4000,0)
B(4000,0)
0

800

1000

2000

3000

4000

Figure 18

Therefore, cost is minimum when x = 800, y = 1600. The minimum possible

cost is Rs. 1,20,000.
Check Your Progress 2
1. Two tailors, A and B, earn ` 150 and ` 200 per day respectively. A can
stitch 6 shirts and 4 pants while B can stitch 10 shirts and 4 pants per day. How
many days shall each work if it is desired to produce (at least) 60 shirts and 32
pants at a minimum labour cost ? Also calculate the least cost.
2. A dietician mixes together two kinds of food in such a way that the mixture
contains at least 6 units of vitamin A, 7 units of vitamin B, 11 units of vitamin
C and 9 units of vitamin D. The vitamin contents of 1 unit food X and 1 unit
of food Y are given below:
Vitamin A

Vitamin B

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Food X

Food Y

One unit of food X costs ` 5, whereas one unit of good Y cost ` 8. Find
the least cost the mixture which will produce the dersired diet.
Is
there any redundant constraint ?
3. A diet for a sick person must contain at least 4000 units of vitamins, 50 units of
minerals and 1400 of calories. Two foods, A and B, are available at a cost
of ` 4 and ` 3 per unit respectively. If one unit of A contains 200 units
of vitamin, 1 unit of mineral and 40 calories and one unit of food B contains
100 units of vitamin, 2 units of minerals and 40 calories, find what
combination of foods should be used to have the least cost ? Also calculate
the least cost.
103

Vectors and Three

4.
Dimensional Geometry

A tailor needs at least 40 large buttons and 60 small buttons. In the market,
buttons are available in boxes or cards. A box contains 6 large and two small
buttons and a card contains 2 large and 4 small buttons. If the cost of a box is
30 paise and card is 20 paise. Find how many boxes and cards should he buy
as to minimise the expenditure ?

4.5

ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Y
30

1. Type A : x, Type B : y then LPP is

Maximize
P = 50x + 25y
subject to
5x + 8y 200 [Cutting constraint]
10x + 8y 240 [Assembly constraint]
x0,y0
[Non- negativity]
P(A) = 1200
P (B) = 900
P (C) = 625
P(0) = 0

25 C

B(8,20)

20
10
0

10 20 A
Figure 19

Thus, profit is maximum when x = 24, y = 0

Maximum profit = Rs. 1200
2. Chairs : x, Tables : y, then LPP is
Maximize
P = 20x + 30y
subject to
3x + 3y 36 [Machine A 1 constraint]
5x + 2y 50 [Machine A 2 constraint]
2x + 6y 60 [Machine A 3 constraint]
x 0, y 0 [Non-negativity]

104

30

40

Linear Programming

30

5x + 2y = 50

20

10

C
3x + 3y = 36
2x + 6y = 60

10
A

20

30

Figure 20

P (A) = 20 (10) + 30(0) = 200

P (B) = 20

26
10
820
+ 30
=
3
3
3

P (C) = 20 (3) + 30(9) = 330

P (D) = 20 (10) + 30(0) = 200
P(0) = 20(0) + 30(0) = 0
Thus, profit is maximum
when x = 3, y = 9.
Maximum Profit = Rs. 330
3. First type trunks : x Second type trunks : y
The LPP is
Maximise P = 30 x + 40 y,
subject to
3x + 3y 18

[Machine A constraint]

2x + 3y 14

[Machine B constraint]

x 0, y 0

[non-negativity]

P(A) = 180
P(B) =200
P (C) = 560/3
P(O) = 0

105

Vectors and Three

Dimensional Geometry

14/3
C
3

B(4,2)
0

Figure 21

Thus, profit is maximum when x = 4, y = 2 and maximum profit is Rs. 200.

4. We write the information in the question in tabular form as follows :

First type of
First type of
Constraint
machine (x)
machine (x)
Area

20 (sq. m per
machine)

24 (sq. m per
machine)

200

Labour

5 (per machine)

3 (per machine)

40

Buckets

120 (per
machine)

80 (per
machine)

Maximise N

x and y machines of the second type be

Let x machines of the first type
purchased.
We have to
Maxmise
N = 120 x + 80y
subject to
20 x + 24 y 200
5x + 3y 40
x 0, y 0

106

(Area constraint)
(Labour constraint)
( Non-negativity)

Linear Programming

13

A(0,25/3)

25/3

5x
+
3y

=4
0

B(6,10/3)
4

20
x+
2

24
y=
200
x

10

C(8,0)

Figure 22

The feasible region for the above linear programming problem has been
shaded in the figure.
We find the value of N at the cornor points of the feasible region. We have
N (A) = N

0,

25
=
3

2,000
2
= 666
3
3

10
2960
2
=
= 986
3
3
3
N (C) = N(8,0) = 960
N (B) = N 6,

N (O) = N(0,0) = 0
Thus, the value of N is maximum when x = 6, y = 10/3. As y cannot be in
fraction, we take x = 6, y = 3.
5. We summarise the information given in the question in tabular form as
follows:
Good X

Good Y

Constraint

Capital

10

Labour

20

Revenue

80

100

Maximize R

Let x units of X and y units of Y be produced. The above problem can be

written as
Maxmize
R = 80 x + 100y
subject to
2x + y 10
(Capital constraint)
x + 3y 20
(Labour constraint)
x 0, y 0
( Non-negativity)
We shade the feasible region in following figure.
107

Vectors and Three

Dimensional Geometry

10

A(0,20/3)

B(2,6)
5

xx

20

C(5,0)

Figure 23

We now check the revenue at corner points of the feasible region.

2
R (A) = 80(0) + 100(20/3)= 2000/3 = 666
3
R(B) = 80(2) + 100(6) = 760
R(C) = 80(5) + 100(0) = 400
R(0) = 80(0) + 100(0) = 0
This shows that the revenue is maximum when x = 2 and y = 6
i.e. when 2 units of x and 6 units y are produced and the maximum revenue is
Rs. 760.
6. We summarise the information given in the above question in the
following table.

108

Drink A

Drink B

Constraint

Pineapple juice

4(kg per tin)

2(kg per tin)

46

Orange juice

1(kg per tin)

3(kg per tin)

24

Profit

Maximize P

Let x tins of drink A and y tins of drink B be filled up. The above problem
can be written as
Maximise
P = 4x + 2y
Subject to
4x + 2y 46
(pineabpple juice constraint)
x + 3y 24
(organge juice constraint)
x 0, y 0
(non-negativity)
The feasible region has been shaded. See the following figure.

Linear Programming

23

+
4x
=
2y

12

46

A(0,8)
B(9,5)

x+

3y =

24

C (23/2,0)
0

12

16

20

24

Figure 24

We have
P(A) = 4 (0) + 2(8) = 16
P(B) = 4(9) + 2(5) = 46
23
P(C ) 4
+ 2(0) = 46
2
P(0) = 0
We have maximum profit at B and C. In this case, we say that we have
multiple solutions. In fact, each point on the segment BC gives a profit of
` 46. This is because the segment BC is one of the isoprofit lines.
Check Your Progress 2
1. Suppose tailor A works for x days and tailor B work for y days.
The LPP is
Minimise
C = 150x + 200y
subject to
6x + 10y 60

[Shirts constraints ]

4x + 4 y 32

[ Pants constraint]

x 0, y 0

[ Nonnegativity]

109

Vectors and Three

Dimensional Geometry

8 R

Q(5,3)
P
0

10
12

Figure 25

C (P) = 1500
C (Q) = 1350
C( R) = 1600
Thus, cost is least when x =5 and y = 3

2.

Food X : x units and Food Y : y units LPP is

Y

S
(1,6)
R

4
3

(5,2)
Q
P

Figure 26

Minimise
C = 5x + 8y
subject to
x+2y6
x+y7
x + 3 y 11
2 x+ y 8
x 0, y 0
110

11

12

Now, C(P) = 55, C (Q) = 41

Linear Programming

C(R) = 30, C(S) = 64

Thus, C is least when x = 5, y = 2
least Cost is Rs. 41
The constraint x + 2y 6 is a redundant constraint.

3. Let x units of food A and y units of food B be used. The LPP is

Minimise
C = 4x + 3y
subject to
200x + 100y 400
(vitamins constraints)
x + 2 y 50
(minerals constraints)
40x + 40y 1400
(calories constraints)
x 0, y 0

(non-negativity)

We have
C(P) = 200, C (Q) = 125, C (R) = 110,
C(S) = 120
Thus, C is least when x = 5, y = 30.

40

S(0,40)

30
R(5,30)

35

20

Q(20,15)

10
P(50,0)

10

20

30

35

40

50

Figure 27
111

Vectors and Three

4.
Dimensional Geometry

Let x boxes and y cards be purchased.

Cost of x boxes is 30x paise and cost of y cards is 20y paise.
Cost incurred by the tailor (in paise ) is 30x + 20y
Number of large buttons obtained from x boses and y cards is 2x + 4y.
According to given condition.
6x + 2y 40
Number of small buttons obtained from x boxes and y cards is 2x + 4y.
According to the given condition
2x + 4y 60
Also,
x 0, y 0
Thus, the linear programming problem is

Minimize
C = 30 x + 20y
[objective function]
subject to
6x + 2y 40
[large button constraint]
2 x + 4y 60
[small button constraint]
x 0, y 0
[ non-negativity]
We draw the feasible in the following figure.
We now calculate the cost at the corner points of the feasible region.
C(A) = C(0,20) = 30(0) + (20)(20) = 400
C(B) = C(5/2, 55/2) = (30) (5/2) = (20) (55/2) = 75 + 550 = 525
C(D) = C (30,0) = (30)(30) + (20)(0) = 900

A (0,20)
15
B(5/2,55/2)

2x + 4y 60

6x + 2y 40

Xx
0

20/3

D(30,0)

Figure 28

Thus, the least cost occurs when the tailor purchases just 20 cards and the least
cost is 400.
112

4.7

SUMMARY

Linear Programming

The unit is about the mathematical discipline of linear programming. In section

4.0, a number of relevant concepts including that of objective function, feasible
region/solution space are introduced. Then the nomenclature linear
programming is explained. In section 4.2 the above concepts alongwith some
other relevant concepts are (formally) defined. Section 4.3 explains the two
graphical methods for solving linear programming problems (L.P.P.). viz. (i)
corner point method (ii) iso-profit and iso-cost method. The methods are
explained through a number of examples. Section 4.4 discusses methods of cost
minimisation in context of linear programming problems.
Answers/Solutions to questions/problems/exercises given in various sections of
the unit are available in section 4.5.

113