Chapter 5
Exercise 5.2 Solutions
Complete solved exercises for bounded and unbounded linear programming optimization, corner-point evaluation, and simultaneous intersection coordinates.
Question 1
LP Maximization
Maximize f(x, y) = 2x + 5y; subject to the constraints:
2y - x ≤ 8; x - y ≤ 4; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
2y - x ≤ 8; x - y ≤ 4; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
Solution
Step 1: Graph the constraints in first quadrant:
• Line 1: 2y - x = 8. Intercepts are (-8, 0) and (0, 4). Shading is below (origin-side, since 0 ≤ 8).
• Line 2: x - y = 4. Intercepts are (4, 0) and (0, -4). Shading is above (origin-side, since 0 ≤ 4).
• Line 1: 2y - x = 8. Intercepts are (-8, 0) and (0, 4). Shading is below (origin-side, since 0 ≤ 8).
• Line 2: x - y = 4. Intercepts are (4, 0) and (0, -4). Shading is above (origin-side, since 0 ≤ 4).
Step 2: Find corner points (vertices) of the feasible region:
• Origin: O(0, 0).
• x-intercept of Line 2: C(4, 0).
• y-intercept of Line 1: B(0, 4).
• Intersection point E of Line 1 and Line 2:
• Origin: O(0, 0).
• x-intercept of Line 2: C(4, 0).
• y-intercept of Line 1: B(0, 4).
• Intersection point E of Line 1 and Line 2:
2y - x = 8
⇒
x = 2y - 8
Substitute into Line 2:
(2y - 8) - y
=
4
y
=
12 \implies x = 2(12) - 8 = 16
So intersection point is E(16, 12).
Step 3: Evaluate objective function at corner points:
| Corner Point (x, y) | f(x, y) = 2x + 5y | Value |
|---|---|---|
| O(0, 0) | 2(0) + 5(0) | 0 |
| C(4, 0) | 2(4) + 5(0) | 8 |
| B(0, 4) | 2(0) + 5(4) | 20 |
| E(16, 12) [Optimal] | 2(16) + 5(12) = 32 + 60 | 92 |
The maximum value is 92 at corner point E(16, 12).
Question 2
LP Maximization
Maximize f(x, y) = x + 3y; subject to constraints:
2x + 5y ≤ 30; 5x + 4y ≤ 20; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
2x + 5y ≤ 30; 5x + 4y ≤ 20; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
Solution
Step 1: Graph constraints:
• Line 1: 2x + 5y = 30 (intercepts (15, 0), (0, 6)).
• Line 2: 5x + 4y = 20 (intercepts (4, 0), (0, 5)).
• Line 1: 2x + 5y = 30 (intercepts (15, 0), (0, 6)).
• Line 2: 5x + 4y = 20 (intercepts (4, 0), (0, 5)).
Step 2: Feasibility check:
Notice that Line 2 is completely inside the boundary of Line 1 in the first quadrant.
At point (0, 5), 2(0) + 5(5) = 25 ≤ 30 (True).
At point (4, 0), 2(4) + 5(0) = 8 ≤ 30 (True).
Thus, the intersection point of the boundary lines is outside the first quadrant, and the active feasible region is bounded by the axes and Line 2.
Notice that Line 2 is completely inside the boundary of Line 1 in the first quadrant.
At point (0, 5), 2(0) + 5(5) = 25 ≤ 30 (True).
At point (4, 0), 2(4) + 5(0) = 8 ≤ 30 (True).
Thus, the intersection point of the boundary lines is outside the first quadrant, and the active feasible region is bounded by the axes and Line 2.
Step 3: Evaluate corner points:
| Corner Point (x, y) | f(x, y) = x + 3y | Value |
|---|---|---|
| O(0, 0) | 0 + 3(0) | 0 |
| C(4, 0) | 4 + 3(0) | 4 |
| D(0, 5) [Optimal] | 0 + 3(5) | 15 |
The maximum value is 15 at corner point D(0, 5).
Question 3
LP Maximization
Maximize z = 2x + 3y; subject to the constraints:
2x + y ≤ 4; 4x - y ≤ 4; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
2x + y ≤ 4; 4x - y ≤ 4; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
Solution
Step 1: Graph constraints:
• Line 1: 2x + y = 4 (intercepts (2, 0), (0, 4)).
• Line 2: 4x - y = 4 (intercepts (1, 0), (0, -4)).
• Line 1: 2x + y = 4 (intercepts (2, 0), (0, 4)).
• Line 2: 4x - y = 4 (intercepts (1, 0), (0, -4)).
Step 2: Find intersection E of both lines:
2x + y = 4
4x - y = 4
Add the equations:
6x
=
8 \implies x = 4/3
Substitute x = 4/3:
2(4/3) + y
=
4 \implies y = 4 - 8/3 = 4/3
So intersection point is E(4/3, 4/3).
Step 3: Evaluate corner points:
| Corner Point (x, y) | z = 2x + 3y | Value |
|---|---|---|
| O(0, 0) | 2(0) + 3(0) | 0 |
| C(1, 0) | 2(1) + 3(0) | 2 |
| E(4/3, 4/3) | 2(4/3) + 3(4/3) = 8/3 + 4 | 20/3 ≈ 6.67 |
| B(0, 4) [Optimal] | 2(0) + 3(4) | 12 |
The maximum value is 12 at corner point B(0, 4).
Question 4
LP Minimization
Minimize z = 2x + y; subject to the constraints:
x + y ≥ 3; 7x + 5y ≤ 35; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
x + y ≥ 3; 7x + 5y ≤ 35; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
Solution
Step 1: Graph constraints:
• Line 1: x + y = 3 (intercepts (3, 0), (0, 3)). Shading is above (away from origin).
• Line 2: 7x + 5y = 35 (intercepts (5, 0), (0, 7)). Shading is below (towards origin).
• Line 1: x + y = 3 (intercepts (3, 0), (0, 3)). Shading is above (away from origin).
• Line 2: 7x + 5y = 35 (intercepts (5, 0), (0, 7)). Shading is below (towards origin).
Step 2: Identify corner points of feasible region:
The region lies between the two boundary lines in the first quadrant:
• Point A(3, 0) (on x-axis)
• Point C(5, 0) (on x-axis)
• Point D(0, 7) (on y-axis)
• Point B(0, 3) (on y-axis)
The region lies between the two boundary lines in the first quadrant:
• Point A(3, 0) (on x-axis)
• Point C(5, 0) (on x-axis)
• Point D(0, 7) (on y-axis)
• Point B(0, 3) (on y-axis)
Step 3: Evaluate objective function at corner points:
| Corner Point (x, y) | z = 2x + y | Value |
|---|---|---|
| B(0, 3) [Optimal Min] | 2(0) + 3 | 3 |
| A(3, 0) | 2(3) + 0 | 6 |
| D(0, 7) | 2(0) + 7 | 7 |
| C(5, 0) | 2(5) + 0 | 10 |
The minimum value is 3 at corner point B(0, 3).
Question 5
LP Maximization
Maximize the function defined as f(x, y) = 2x + 3y subject to constraints:
2x + y ≤ 8; x + 2y ≤ 14; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
2x + y ≤ 8; x + 2y ≤ 14; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
Solution
Step 1: Graph constraints:
• Line 1: 2x + y = 8 (intercepts (4, 0), (0, 8)).
• Line 2: x + 2y = 14 (intercepts (14, 0), (0, 7)).
• Line 1: 2x + y = 8 (intercepts (4, 0), (0, 8)).
• Line 2: x + 2y = 14 (intercepts (14, 0), (0, 7)).
Step 2: Find intersection E:
Multiply Line 1 by 2:
Multiply Line 1 by 2:
4x + 2y
=
16
Subtract Line 2 (x + 2y = 14) from it:
3x
=
2 \implies x = 2/3
Substitute x = 2/3 into Line 1:
2(2/3) + y
=
8 \implies y = 8 - 4/3 = 20/3
So intersection point is E(2/3, 20/3).
Step 3: Evaluate corner points:
| Corner Point (x, y) | f(x, y) = 2x + 3y | Value |
|---|---|---|
| O(0, 0) | 2(0) + 3(0) | 0 |
| A(4, 0) | 2(4) + 3(0) | 8 |
| D(0, 7) | 2(0) + 3(7) | 21 |
| E(2/3, 20/3) [Optimal] | 2(2/3) + 3(20/3) = 4/3 + 20 | 64/3 ≈ 21.33 |
The maximum value is 64/3 ≈ 21.33 at corner point E(2/3, 20/3).
Question 6
Unbounded LP Minimization
Minimize z = 3x + y; subject to the constraints:
3x + 5y ≥ 15; x + 6y ≥ 9; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
3x + 5y ≥ 15; x + 6y ≥ 9; x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0
Solution
Step 1: Graph constraints:
• Line 1: 3x + 5y = 15 (intercepts (5, 0), (0, 3)). Shading is above (away from origin).
• Line 2: x + 6y = 9 (intercepts (9, 0), (0, 1.5)). Shading is above (away from origin).
• Line 1: 3x + 5y = 15 (intercepts (5, 0), (0, 3)). Shading is above (away from origin).
• Line 2: x + 6y = 9 (intercepts (9, 0), (0, 1.5)). Shading is above (away from origin).
Step 2: Find intersection point E:
3x + 5y = 15
Multiply Line 2 by 3:
3x + 18y = 27
Subtract equations:
13y
=
12 \implies y = 12/13
Substitute y = 12/13 into Line 2:
x + 6(12/13)
=
9 \implies x = 9 - 72/13 = 45/13
So intersection point is E(45/13, 12/13).
Step 3: Evaluate corner points of unbounded region:
| Corner Point (x, y) | z = 3x + y | Value |
|---|---|---|
| B(0, 3) [Optimal Min] | 3(0) + 3 | 3 |
| E(45/13, 12/13) | 3(45/13) + 12/13 = 147/13 | 147/13 ≈ 11.31 |
| C(9, 0) | 3(9) + 0 | 27 |
The minimum value of z is 3 at corner point B(0, 3).
Interactive Sandbox
LP Corner-Point Solver & Grapher
Select a textbook question preset below or configure custom objective coefficients. The solver will automatically map the feasible region and identify the optimal vertex point!
Feasible Corner-Point Evaluations