Linear Programming Models:
Graphical Method
© 2007 Pearson Education
Steps in Developing a Linear
Programming (LP) Model
1) Formulation
2) Solution
3) Interpretation and Sensitivity Analysis
Properties of LP Models
1) Seek to minimize or maximize
2) Include “constraints” or limitations
3) There must be alternatives available
4) All equations are linear
Example LP Model Formulation:
The Product Mix Problem
Decision: How much to make of > 2 products?
Objective: Maximize profit
Constraints: Limited resources
Example: Flair Furniture Co.
Two products: Chairs and Tables
Decision: How many of each to make this
month?
Objective: Maximize profit
Flair Furniture Co. Data
Tables Chairs
(per table) (per chair)
Profit Hours
$7 $5
Contribution Available
Carpentry 3 hrs 4 hrs 2400
Painting 2 hrs 1 hr 1000
Other Limitations:
• Make no more than 450 chairs
• Make at least 100 tables
Decision Variables:
T = Num. of tables to make
C = Num. of chairs to make
Objective Function: Maximize Profit
Maximize $7 T + $5 C
Constraints:
• Have 2400 hours of carpentry time
available
3 T + 4 C < 2400 (hours)
• Have 1000 hours of painting time available
2 T + 1 C < 1000 (hours)
More Constraints:
• Make no more than 450 chairs
C < 450 (num. chairs)
• Make at least 100 tables
T > 100 (num. tables)
Nonnegativity:
Cannot make a negative number of chairs or tables
T>0
C>0
Model Summary
Max 7T + 5C (profit)
Subject to the constraints:
3T + 4C < 2400 (carpentry hrs)
2T + 1C < 1000 (painting hrs)
C < 450 (max # chairs)
T > 100 (min # tables)
T, C > 0 (nonnegativity)
Graphical Solution
• Graphing an LP model helps provide
insight into LP models and their solutions.
• While this can only be done in two
dimensions, the same properties apply to
all LP models and solutions.
C
Carpentry
Constraint Line
3T + 4C = 2400 600 Infeasible
> 2400 hrs
3T
Intercepts +
4C
=
24
(T = 0, C = 600) 00
Feasible
0
(T = 800, C = 0) < 2400 hrs
0 800 T
C
1000
Painting
Constraint Line
2T
2T + 1C = 1000
+
1C
600
= 100
0
Intercepts
(T = 0, C = 1000)
0
(T = 500, C = 0)
0 500 800 T
C
1000
Max Chair Line
C = 450
600
Min Table Line 450
T = 100
0 Feasible
Region
0 100 500 800 T
C
7T
Objective
+ 5C
Function Line
=$
500
4,0
7T + 5C = Profit
40
400 Optimal Point
(T = 320, C = 360)
7T
+5
300
C
=$
7T
2 ,8
200
+5
00
C
=$
100
2,1
00
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 T
C
Additional Constraint New optimal point
500 T = 300, C = 375
Need at least 75
more chairs than 400
tables
T = 320
C > T + 75 300 C = 360
No longer
Or feasible
200
C – T > 75
100
0 100 200 300 400 500 T
LP Characteristics
• Feasible Region: The set of points that
satisfies all constraints
• Corner Point Property: An optimal
solution must lie at one or more corner
points
• Optimal Solution: The corner point with
the best objective function value is optimal
Special Situation in LP
1. Redundant Constraints - do not affect
the feasible region
Example: x < 10
x < 12
The second constraint is redundant
because it is less restrictive.
Special Situation in LP
2. Infeasibility – when no feasible solution
exists (there is no feasible region)
Example: x < 10
x > 15
Special Situation in LP
3. Alternate Optimal Solutions – when
there is more than one optimal solution
C
Max 2T + 2C 10
2T
Subject to:
+
All points on
2C
T + C < 10
=
6 Red segment
20
T < 5 are optimal
C< 6
T, C > 0
0
0 5 10 T
Special Situation in LP
4. Unbounded Solutions – when nothing
prevents the solution from becoming
infinitely large
i on
C
ct on
Max 2T + 2C i re luti
D so
Subject to: 2 of
2T + 3C > 6
1
T, C > 0
0
0 1 2 3 T
