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Exercise 12.1 · Q2

Q.Find the value of the following: Minimise Z=−3x+4yZ = -3x + 4y subject to x+2y≤8x + 2y \le 8, 3x+2y≤123x + 2y \le 12, x≥0x \ge 0, y≥0y \ge 0.

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This is a linear programming problem where we minimise Z=−3x+4yZ = -3x + 4y under given constraints. The feasible region is bounded, and the minimum occurs at a corner point. The optimal value is Z=−12Z = -12 at (4,0)(4, 0).

Why This Approach Works

Linear programming problems with two variables are solved graphically. The constraints define a polygon (the feasible region) in the xyxy-plane. The objective function Z=−3x+4yZ = -3x + 4y is linear, so its extreme values (minimum and maximum) must occur at the vertices (corner points) of this polygon — not in the interior. This is the corner point theorem.

Here, the coefficient of xx is negative (−3-3), so making xx large reduces ZZ. The coefficient of yy is positive (+4+4), so increasing yy increases ZZ. To minimise ZZ, we want xx as large as possible and yy as small as possible, within the constraints.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Write down the constraints clearly

We have:

  • x+2y≤8x + 2y \le 8
  • 3x+2y≤123x + 2y \le 12
  • x≥0x \ge 0, y≥0y \ge 0

These are all linear inequalities. The non-negativity constraints (x≥0x \ge 0, y≥0y \ge 0) restrict us to the first quadrant.

2. Find the boundary lines and their intersection points

Convert each inequality to an equation to find the lines:

  • Line 1: x+2y=8x + 2y = 8
  • Line 2: 3x+2y=123x + 2y = 12

Find where each line meets the axes:

  • For Line 1: when x=0x=0, 2y=8⇒y=42y=8 \Rightarrow y=4; when y=0y=0, x=8x=8. So points: (0,4)(0,4) and (8,0)(8,0).
  • For Line 2: when x=0x=0, 2y=12⇒y=62y=12 \Rightarrow y=6; when y=0y=0, 3x=12⇒x=43x=12 \Rightarrow x=4. So points: (0,6)(0,6) and (4,0)(4,0).

Now find the intersection of the two lines:

{x+2y=83x+2y=12\begin{cases} x + 2y = 8 \\ 3x + 2y = 12 \end{cases}

Subtract the first equation from the second:

(3x+2y)−(x+2y)=12−8  ⟹  2x=4  ⟹  x=2(3x + 2y) - (x + 2y) = 12 - 8 \implies 2x = 4 \implies x = 2

Substitute x=2x=2 into x+2y=8x + 2y = 8:

2+2y=8  ⟹  2y=6  ⟹  y=32 + 2y = 8 \implies 2y = 6 \implies y = 3

So the intersection point is (2,3)(2, 3).

3. Identify the feasible region

The feasible region is the set of points satisfying all constraints. Since both inequalities are "≤\le", the region lies below both lines (and in the first quadrant). The corner points of this polygon are:

  • (0,0)(0,0) — origin
  • (4,0)(4,0) — from Line 2 on the xx-axis
  • (0,4)(0,4) — from Line 1 on the yy-axis
  • (2,3)(2,3) — intersection of the two lines
Watch out

A common mistake is to include (0,6)(0,6) as a corner point. But (0,6)(0,6) lies on Line 2, yet it does not satisfy x+2y≤8x + 2y \le 8 because 0+2(6)=12>80 + 2(6) = 12 > 8. So it is outside the feasible region. Always check every candidate point against all constraints.

4. Evaluate the objective function at each corner point

We compute Z=−3x+4yZ = -3x + 4y at each point:

Corner PointZ=−3x+4yZ = -3x + 4y
(0,0)(0,0)00
(4,0)(4,0)−3(4)+4(0)=−12-3(4) + 4(0) = -12
(0,4)(0,4)−3(0)+4(4)=16-3(0) + 4(4) = 16
(2,3)(2,3)−3(2)+4(3)=−6+12=6-3(2) + 4(3) = -6 + 12 = 6

5. Determine the minimum

The smallest value among these is −12-12 at (4,0)(4,0). Since the feasible region is bounded (a closed polygon), this is the global minimum.

Tip

Notice that ZZ decreases as xx increases (because of −3x-3x) and increases as yy increases. The point (4,0)(4,0) has the largest xx and smallest yy among all corner points — exactly what we expected intuitively.

✓Final answer

The minimum value is −12\boxed{-12} at the point (4,0)(4, 0).

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