Linear Programming III - The Dual Problem
Linear Programming III - The Dual Problem
Dual Problem
Maumita Roy
Duality Theorem
For every maximisation (or minimisation) problem in linear
programming, there is a unique similar problem of
minimisation (or maximisation) involving the same data
which describes the original problem.
The given problem is called primal or direct , the
corresponding intimately related problem is called its dual
problem.
In fact, either can be called original as both are derived from
the same data.
Example 1:
Wood constraint
Metal constraint
non negativity
Example 2 :
An individual has a choice of two types of food to eat, meat and potatoes,
each offering varying degrees of nutritional benefit. He has been warned
by his doctor that he must receive at least 400 units of protein, 200 units
of carbohydrates and 100 units of fat from his daily diet. Given that a kg
of steak costs Rs.100 and provides 80 units of protein, 20 units of
carbohydrates and 30 units of fat, and that a kg of potatoes costs Rs.20
and provides 40 units of protein, 50 units of carbohydrates and 20 units of
fat, he would like to find the minimum cost diet which satisfies his
nutritional requirements
Objective function:
Min Z = 100x1 +20x2
Subject to:
80x1 + 40x2 400
20x1 + 50x2 200
30x1 + 20x2 100
protein constraint
carbohydrates constraint
fat constraint
x1; x2 0
Example:
Objective function:
Min Z = 2x1 + 3x2 + 4x3
Subject to:
2x1 + 3x2 + 5x3 2
3x1 + x2 + 7x3 = 3
x1 + 4x2 + 6x3 5
x1; x2 0; x3 unrestricted in sign
Objective function:
Min Z = x1 - 3x2 - 2x3
Subject to:
3x1 - x2 + 2x3 7
2x1 - 4x2
12
-4x1 + 3x2 + 8x3 = 10
x1; x2 0; x3 unrestricted in sign