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Exercise 12.1 · Q3

Q.Find the value of the following: Maximise Z=5x+3yZ = 5x + 3y subject to 3x+5y≤153x + 5y \le 15, 5x+2y≤105x + 2y \le 10, x≥0x \ge 0, y≥0y \ge 0.

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This is a linear programming problem where we maximise Z=5x+3yZ = 5x + 3y under two resource constraints and non-negativity. The maximum occurs at the corner point (2019,4519)\left(\frac{20}{19}, \frac{45}{19}\right), giving Z=23519≈12.37Z = \frac{235}{19} \approx 12.37.

We are asked to maximise a linear objective function Z=5x+3yZ = 5x + 3y subject to two linear inequalities and the usual non-negativity conditions. This is a classic linear programming problem in two variables — the kind you solve graphically by identifying the feasible region and checking its corner points.

The key idea: the maximum (or minimum) of a linear function over a convex polygon (the feasible region) always occurs at a vertex, or along an entire edge if the objective is parallel to it. So we don't need to test every point — just the corners.

Let’s work through it.

  1. Write down the constraints clearly

3x+5y≤15(Constraint 1)5x+2y≤10(Constraint 2)x≥0,y≥0\begin{aligned} 3x + 5y &\le 15 \quad \text{(Constraint 1)} \\ 5x + 2y &\le 10 \quad \text{(Constraint 2)} \\ x &\ge 0, \quad y \ge 0 \end{aligned}

  1. Find the boundary lines

    For Constraint 1: 3x+5y=153x + 5y = 15

    • If x=0x = 0, then y=3y = 3 → point (0,3)(0,3)
    • If y=0y = 0, then x=5x = 5 → point (5,0)(5,0)

    For Constraint 2: 5x+2y=105x + 2y = 10

    • If x=0x = 0, then y=5y = 5 → point (0,5)(0,5)
    • If y=0y = 0, then x=2x = 2 → point (2,0)(2,0)
  2. Identify the feasible region

    Since both constraints are “≤\le” and x,y≥0x, y \ge 0, the feasible region is the set of points in the first quadrant that lie below both lines.

    The region is a polygon with vertices at:

    • (0,0)(0,0) — origin
    • (2,0)(2,0) — where Constraint 2 meets the xx-axis
    • (0,3)(0,3) — where Constraint 1 meets the yy-axis
    • The intersection point of the two lines (if it lies in the first quadrant)
  3. Find the intersection of the two lines

    Solve:

{3x+5y=155x+2y=10\begin{cases} 3x + 5y = 15 \\ 5x + 2y = 10 \end{cases}

Multiply the first equation by 2 and the second by 5 to eliminate yy:

6x+10y=3025x+10y=50\begin{aligned} 6x + 10y &= 30 \\ 25x + 10y &= 50 \end{aligned}

Subtract: (25x−6x)+(10y−10y)=50−30(25x - 6x) + (10y - 10y) = 50 - 30

19x=20⇒x=201919x = 20 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = \frac{20}{19}

Substitute into 3x+5y=153x + 5y = 15:

3(2019)+5y=15⇒6019+5y=153\left(\frac{20}{19}\right) + 5y = 15 \quad \Rightarrow \quad \frac{60}{19} + 5y = 15

5y=15−6019=285−6019=225195y = 15 - \frac{60}{19} = \frac{285 - 60}{19} = \frac{225}{19}

y=4519y = \frac{45}{19}

So the intersection point is (2019,4519)\left(\frac{20}{19}, \frac{45}{19}\right).

Tip

Notice that 2019≈1.05\frac{20}{19} \approx 1.05 and 4519≈2.37\frac{45}{19} \approx 2.37 — both positive, so this point is indeed a vertex of the feasible region.

  1. List all corner points

    The feasible region has four vertices:

    • A(0,0)A(0,0)
    • B(2,0)B(2,0)
    • C(2019,4519)C\left(\frac{20}{19}, \frac{45}{19}\right)
    • D(0,3)D(0,3)

    (The point (0,5)(0,5) is not feasible because it violates Constraint 1; (5,0)(5,0) violates Constraint 2.)

  2. Evaluate Z=5x+3yZ = 5x + 3y at each corner

    • At A(0,0)A(0,0): Z=5(0)+3(0)=0Z = 5(0) + 3(0) = 0
    • At B(2,0)B(2,0): Z=5(2)+3(0)=10Z = 5(2) + 3(0) = 10
    • At C(2019,4519)C\left(\frac{20}{19}, \frac{45}{19}\right):

Z=5(2019)+3(4519)=10019+13519=23519Z = 5\left(\frac{20}{19}\right) + 3\left(\frac{45}{19}\right) = \frac{100}{19} + \frac{135}{19} = \frac{235}{19}

  • At D(0,3)D(0,3): Z=5(0)+3(3)=9Z = 5(0) + 3(3) = 9
  1. Compare values

0,10,23519≈12.37,90,\quad 10,\quad \frac{235}{19} \approx 12.37,\quad 9

The largest is 23519\frac{235}{19} at point CC.

Watch out

A common mistake is to forget the intersection point and only check the intercepts. Here, the maximum is not at (2,0)(2,0) or (0,3)(0,3) — it’s at the interior vertex where both constraints are active.

✓Final answer

The maximum value is 23519\boxed{\frac{235}{19}}, achieved at x=2019x = \frac{20}{19}, y=4519y = \frac{45}{19}.

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