P-ISSN: 2808-5957

E-ISSN: 2808-6724
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SOLVING LINEAR PROGRAM WITH SIMPLEX METHOD

THROUGH APP CALCULATOR SIMPLEX

Fadlan Alkhairi, Kasa Inti Josia Tambunan, Naila Fauziah, Sabrina Aisyah Putri
Barus*, Erlinawaty Simanjuntak
State University of Medan, Indonesia
*
[email protected]

Abstract
Since the simplex approach takes so long to work, many students make mistakes or are just not as cautious
as they should be, there is a learning material to help them overcome this. The objectives of this article are
to accomplish the work of engineering ideas in Linear Program courses, gain insight into the development of
learning media in the Linear Program, and be able to run digital media. This study was conducted in several
ways, including using a line of inquiry, the graph technique, the simplex method, and Geogebra. The results
reveal that the simplex calculator is uncomplicated to use and that the calculator's solutions are presented
gradually and clearly. It is intended that by using this simplex calculator, students will be eligible to function
more quickly.
Keywords: Linear Program, Simplex Method, Learning Media

This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

INTRODUCTION
Linear programming is a part of mathematics that is used to find the optimum value of a
linear inequality (Tanzimah, 2018). This science is very important to use in performing
calculations to find the optimum value of linear inequality problems (Wahyuni, 2017). At the
tertiary level, students generally learn linear program material in separate courses or inserted
in other courses, such as mathematics courses. By studying linear programming material,
students can perform calculations to optimize a case to obtain maximum profit.
The learning media that is built can visualize the problem of linear equations so that it can
be seen that the variables that influence each other can be seen. Learning media is made
interactively so that students can interact. Students can make changes to variables and see the
results of the changes they make directly. This will make students more interested in studying
linear programming material (Putri & Suryati, 2019).
Digital learning media is a medium in modern times where with the existence of digital
learning media, learning will be more interesting, fun, and easy (Ernawati, 2016). The Simplex
method is a method that can be used to solve managerial problems that have been formulated
in advance into a linear programming mathematical equation that has a decision variable
ranging from greater than or equal to 2 to multivariable (Indrawirawan et al., 2013). The work
of the simplex method is very long so many students make mistakes or are less careful in doing
it, there is a learning material to help them overcome this.

Formulation of the problem

1) What digital media can help in learning Linear programming with the Simplex method?
2) How to apply digital media.

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Solving Linear Program with Simplex Method through App Calculator Simplex

Purpose
1) Completed idea-engineering tasks in Linear Program courses.
2) Adding insight into the development of learning media in the Liner Program.
3) Can run the digital media.

METHOD
Using the Search Line
The line probing method is a method commonly used in linear programming to determine
the optimum value of a linear problem.
Pros : This method is easy to use and easy to understand.
Weaknesses : If use this method, the size of chart or picture must right.

Using the Graphics Method

The graphic method is one method that can be used to solve linear programming
problems. This method uses a graphical approach in its decision-making, where all the
constraint functions are made in one part of the image then the optimal decision is taken.
The Graphic Method consists of two phases, namely:
1. Determine the space/area of the solution that is feasible.
2. Determine the optimal solution from all points in the feasible region. There are two methods
to identify the optimum solution, namely:
a. Isoline Method
b. Extreme Point Method
Pros : This method is easy to use and easy to understand.
Weaknesses : This method is limited to use for two decision variables, if you have more than
two decision variables, this method cannot be used. In drawing the graph, it must be neat and
have the same size.

Using the Simplex Method

The Simplex method is a method that can be used to solve managerial problems that have
been formulated in advance into a linear programming mathematical equation that has a
decision variable ranging from greater than or equal to 2 (two) to multivariable. In this method,
we change the model into the form of a table, then perform mathematical steps into the table.
These mathematical steps are a replication of the process of moving from one extreme point to
another on the boundary of the solution region. However, unlike the graphical method, where
we can easily find the best point among all the solution points, the simplex method moves from
one solution to a better solution until an optimal solution is obtained.
To find the optimum value using the simplex method, an iteration process is carried out
starting from a feasible initial basis completion (Feasible) to a feasible final basis completion
where the value of the objective function is optimum. In this case, the iteration process cannot
be carried out again.
Pros : It would be better to use if more than 2 variables and 2 equations
Weaknesses : The road used is too long and seems complicated

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Using Geogebra
Linear programming is a linear equation optimization model that deals with linear inequality
problems. The linear programming problem means the problem of the optimum value
(Maximum or minimum) of a linear function on a system
of linear inequalities that must satisfy the optimization of the objective function.
Geogebra is very helpful in solving linear programming problems, of course, by not
neglecting the mathematical steps in solving them. Geogebra can be used when starting to
draw graphs and determining completion test points, as well as testing the optimum function
at these points.
Pros : This method is easy to use and looks more attractive.
Weaknesses : This method can only be used in 2 to 3 variables.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Using the Simplex Method manually
Maximize:
1. Purpose function:
𝑍 = 30𝑥1 + 40𝑥2 → max 𝑍 − 30𝑥1 − 40𝑥2 = 0
2. Constraint function:
a. Silk thread : 3𝑥1 + 4𝑥2 ≤ 120 → 3𝑥1 + 4𝑥2 + 𝑠1 ≤ 120
b. Wool yarn : 𝑥2 ≤ 20 → 𝑥2 + 𝑠1 ≤ 20
c. Years of service : 2𝑥1 + 2𝑥2 ≤ 40 → 2𝑥1 + 2𝑥2 + 𝑠1 ≤ 40

Putting Equations into a Table

NB X1 X2 s1 s2 s3 Right Index
Value
Z -30 -40 0 0 0 0
s1 3 4 1 0 0 120
s2 0 1 0 1 0 20
s3 2 2 0 0 1 40

Setting the Key Column

The key column is the column that has a negative base Z value with the largest number.
NB X1 X2 s1 s2 s3 Right Index
Value
Z -30 -40 0 0 0 0
s1 3 4 1 0 0 120
s2 0 1 0 1 0 20
s3 2 2 0 0 1 40

Define Key Row

Defining the key row as the smallest index value by below formula:
𝑅𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 (𝑅𝑉)
Index=𝐾𝑒𝑦 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

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entering variable

NB X1 X2 s1 s2 s3 Right Index
Value
Z -30 -40 0 0 0 0 -
s1 3 4 1 0 0 120 30
s2 0 1 0 1 0 20 20
s3 2 2 0 0 1 40 20
leaving variable
pivot row
Specifying New Key Row Value pivot colomn
New key row = key row/key number
So, the table becomes as follows:
NB X1 X2 s1 s2 s3 Right Index
Value
Z
s1
s2
X1 1 1 0 0 1/2 20

Changing Values Other Than Key Row

New row = old row – (key column value * new key row value)
Z -30 -40 0 0 0 old row

- 0
40 1 1 0 0 ½
20 -
new row
10 0 0 0 20 800

𝑠1 3 4 1 0 0
120
4 1 1 0 0 ½
20 -
-1 0 1 0 -2 40

𝑠2 1 1 0 1 0
20
1 0 1 0 0 ½
20 -
-1 0 0 1 -½ 0

Enter New Row Value

NB X1 X2 s1 s2 s3 Right Index
Value
Z 10 0 0 0 20 800

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s1 -1 0 1 0 -2 40
s2 -1 0 0 1 -1/2 0
X2 1 1 0 0 1/2 20
The results are = 20, Zmax = 800

Using the Simplex Calculator

In finding the maximum and minimum value of a linear programming problem using the
simplex method, many students still cannot use it and still make mistakes/errors in using this
simplex method, because the simplex method is a very long way of working and typing. Students
may miscalculate so that the answer they got would be wrong, so to overcome this, the student
had to check the simplex method several times, which took a very long time.
Here the researchers offer a solution to overcome student’s errors in working on a linear
programming system by using an application. The application is "Simplex calculator", where
this application can be downloaded on student smartphones. It is uncomplicated to use; here
the researchers will show the way to use this application:
For example:
Maximize:
Z= 30𝑥1 +40𝑥2
Constraint function:
3𝑥1 +4𝑥2 ≤120
𝑥2 ≤20
2𝑥1 + 2𝑥2 ≤40
The steps for working on the problem above using a simplex calculator are:
1. Download the Simplex application "Method Calculator" on the play store.

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2. Open the Simplex Method Calculator App.

3. Adjust the App with the number of variables and the functions of the problem. The data
problem consists of 2 variables namely X1 and X2 consists of 4 equations where 1
equation is the objective function and 3 equations are the constraint function.

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4. Enter the constant values of each equation then press solve and wait for the result.

Results:

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From the results above, it can be concluded that the maximum value of the above function
is 800, and the value 𝑥1 =20 and 𝑥2 =40
The Advantages of the App are:
1. Easy to use
2. Help students overcome errors in using the simplex method

The Disadvantage of the App is:

This app can only up to 20 variables and 20 equations.

CONCLUSION
The simplex calculator is very easy to use and the answers shown by the calculator are
shown in stages and clearly. With the simplex calculator, it is hoped that students will be able
to understand the simplex method more quickly and better.

REFERENCES
Ernawati. (2016). Pengembangan perangkat pembelajaran matematika berbasis open-ended
approach untuk mengembangkan HOTS siswa SMA. Jurnal Riset Pendidikan
Matematika, 3(2), 209.
Indrawirawan, G. N., Darmawiguna, I. G. M., & Sunarya, I. M. G. (2013). APLIKASI
SIMULASI METODE SIMPLEX UNTUK PEMBELAJARAN RISET OPERASIONAL
BERBASIS WEB. KARMAPATI (Kumpulan Artikel Mahasiswa Pendidikan Teknik
Informatika), 2(6), 784–789.
Putri, N. W. S., & Suryati, K. (2019). Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Program Linier
Berbasis Geogebra di STMIK STIKOM INDONESIA. Jurnal Matematika, 9(2), 111.
Tanzimah, T. (2018). PEMBELAJARAN PROGRAM LINEAR MENGGUNAKAN
APLIKASI KOMPUTER GEOGEBRA. PROSIDING SEMINAR NASIONAL
PROGRAM PASCASARJANA UNIVERSITAS PGRI PALEMBANG, 5(05).
Wahyuni, S. (2017). Development test system based on linear equations two variable revised
Taxonomy Bloom to measure High Order Thinking Skills at student class VIII SMPN
Sungguminasa Gowa. Jurnal Daya Matematis, 5(1), 129.

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