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Exercise 12.1 · Q1

Q.Find the value of the following: Maximise Z=3x+4yZ = 3x + 4y subject to the constraints : x+y≤4,x≥0,y≥0x + y \le 4, x \ge 0, y \ge 0.

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Appeared in past exams:GUJCET 2020· Set 07· 1mexact
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This is a linear programming problem where we maximise Z=3x+4yZ = 3x + 4y under x+y≤4x + y \le 4, x≥0x \ge 0, y≥0y \ge 0. The feasible region is a right triangle with vertices at (0,0)(0,0), (4,0)(4,0), and (0,4)(0,4). The maximum value of ZZ is 1616, achieved at (0,4)(0,4).

The core idea here is that in linear programming, the maximum (or minimum) of a linear objective function under linear constraints always occurs at a corner point of the feasible region — provided the region is bounded. This is the corner point theorem. So instead of checking every possible point (which is infinite), we only need to examine the vertices of the region formed by the constraints.

Let’s build the feasible region step by step.

  1. Plot the constraints.

    The inequality x+y≤4x + y \le 4 describes all points on or below the line x+y=4x + y = 4.

    The conditions x≥0x \ge 0 and y≥0y \ge 0 restrict us to the first quadrant.

    So the feasible region is the triangle with vertices at (0,0)(0,0), (4,0)(4,0), and (0,4)(0,4).

  2. Identify the corner points.

    These are the intersections of the boundary lines:

    • Intersection of x=0x = 0 and y=0y = 0: (0,0)(0,0)
    • Intersection of y=0y = 0 and x+y=4x + y = 4: (4,0)(4,0)
    • Intersection of x=0x = 0 and x+y=4x + y = 4: (0,4)(0,4)

    There is no fourth corner because the line x+y=4x + y = 4 meets the axes exactly at these two points.

  3. Evaluate the objective function at each corner.

    Z=3x+4yZ = 3x + 4y:

    • At (0,0)(0,0): Z=3(0)+4(0)=0Z = 3(0) + 4(0) = 0
    • At (4,0)(4,0): Z=3(4)+4(0)=12Z = 3(4) + 4(0) = 12
    • At (0,4)(0,4): Z=3(0)+4(4)=16Z = 3(0) + 4(4) = 16
  4. Compare the values.

    The largest is 1616 at (0,4)(0,4).

Watch out

A common mistake is to assume the maximum occurs where xx is largest, because 3x3x seems significant. But here 4y4y grows faster per unit, so the optimum shifts to the yy-axis. Always check all corners — don’t guess.

Tip

Notice that the objective function’s slope is −34-\frac{3}{4}, which is shallower than the constraint line’s slope of −1-1. This means the maximum will be on the yy-axis rather than the xx-axis. A quick slope comparison can save time in multiple-choice exams.

✓Final answer

The maximum value is 16\boxed{16}, attained at the point (0,4)(0,4).

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