Linear Programming : Introductory Example
THE PROBLEM
A factory produces two types of drink, an energy
drink and a refresher drink. The days output is
to be planned. Each drink requires syrup, vitamin
supplement and concentrated flavouring, as shown
in the table.
The last row in the table shows how much of each
ingredient is available for the days production.
How can the factory manager decide how much
of each drink to make?
THE PROBLEM
Syrup
Vitamin
supplement
Concentrated
flavouring
5 litres of
energy drink
1.25 litres
2 units
30 cc
5 litres of
refresher
drink
1.25 litres
1 unit
20 cc
Availabilities
250 litres
300 units
4.8 litres
Energy drink sells at 1 per litre
Refresher drink sells at 80 p per litre
FORMULATION
Syrup constraint:
Let x represent number of litres of energy drink
Let y represent number of litres of refresher drink
0.25x + 0.25y 250
x + y 1000
FORMULATION
Vitamin supplement constraint:
Let x represent number of litres of energy drink
Let y represent number of litres of refresher drink
0.4x + 0.2y 300
2x + y 1500
FORMULATION
Concentrated flavouring constraint:
Let x represent number of litres of energy drink
Let y represent number of litres of refresher drink
6x + 4y 4800
3x + 2y 2400
FORMULATION
Objective function:
Let x represent number of litres of energy drink
Energy drink sells for 1 per litre
Let y represent number of litres of refresher drink
Refresher drink sells for 80 pence per litre
Maximise
x + 0.8y
SOLUTION
Empty grid to
accommodate
the 3
inequalities
SOLUTION
1st constraint
Draw boundary
line:
x + y = 1000
x
0
y
1000
1000
SOLUTION
1st constraint
Shade out
unwanted
region:
x + y 1000
SOLUTION
Empty grid to
accommodate
the 3
inequalities
SOLUTION
2nd constraint
Draw boundary
line:
2x + y = 1500
1500
750
SOLUTION
2nd constraint
Shade out
unwanted
region:
2x + y 1500
SOLUTION
Empty grid to
accommodate
the 3
inequalities
SOLUTION
3rd constraint
Draw boundary
line:
3x + 2y = 2400
1200
800
SOLUTION
3rd constraint
Shade out
unwanted region:
3x + 2y 2400
SOLUTION
All three
constraints:
First:
x + y 1000
SOLUTION
All three
constraints:
First:
x + y 1000
Second:
2x + y 1500
SOLUTION
All three
constraints:
First:
x + y 1000
Second:
2x + y 1500
Third:
3x + 2y 2400
SOLUTION
All three
constraints:
First:
x + y 1000
Second:
2x + y 1500
Third:
3x + 2y 2400
Adding:
x 0 and y 0
SOLUTION
Feasible region
is the unshaded
area and
satisfies:
x + y 1000
2x + y 1500
3x + 2y 2400
x 0 and y 0
SOLUTION
Evaluate the
objective function
x + 0.8y
at vertices of the
feasible region:
A
B
O: 0 + 0 = 0
A: 0 + 0.8x1000
= 800
C
D
O
B: 400 + 0.8x600
= 880
C: 600 + 0.8x300
= 840
Maximum income = 800 at (400, 600)
D: 750 + 0 = 750