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Q.The objective function Z=ax+byZ = ax + by of an LPP has maximum value 42 at (4,6)(4, 6) and minimum value 19 at (3,2)(3, 2). Which of the following is true?

(a) a=9a = 9, b=1b = 1
(b) a=5a = 5, b=2b = 2
(c) a=3a = 3, b=5b = 5
(d) a=5a = 5, b=3b = 3
CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2023MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
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In a linear programming problem, the objective function Z=ax+byZ = ax + by attains its maximum and minimum at corner points of the feasible region. Given the maximum 42 at (4,6)(4,6) and minimum 19 at (3,2)(3,2), solving the two equations 4a+6b=424a + 6b = 42 and 3a+2b=193a + 2b = 19 gives a=3a = 3, b=5b = 5, which corresponds to option (c).

The graphical method for solving a Linear Programming Problem (LPP) relies on a fundamental theorem: if an optimal solution exists, it occurs at one of the corner points (vertices) of the feasible region. The objective function Z=ax+byZ = ax + by is a linear function, so its value changes linearly as you move across the region. The maximum and minimum values will therefore be found at extreme points — the corners.

Here, we are told that the maximum value 42 occurs at (4,6)(4,6) and the minimum value 19 occurs at (3,2)(3,2). This means both points are vertices of the feasible region. Since the objective function is the same linear expression ax+byax + by at every point, we can plug these coordinates into ZZ to get two equations in aa and bb.

  1. Set up the equations from the given data. At (4,6)(4,6), Z=42Z = 42:

4a+6b=424a + 6b = 42

At (3,2)(3,2), Z=19Z = 19:

3a+2b=193a + 2b = 19

  1. Solve the system of linear equations. We have:

4a+6b=42(1)4a + 6b = 42 \quad \text{(1)}

3a+2b=19(2)3a + 2b = 19 \quad \text{(2)}

Multiply equation (2) by 3 to align coefficients of bb:

9a+6b=57(3)9a + 6b = 57 \quad \text{(3)}

Subtract equation (1) from equation (3):

(9a+6b)−(4a+6b)=57−42(9a + 6b) - (4a + 6b) = 57 - 42

5a=155a = 15

a=3a = 3

  1. Substitute a=3a = 3 back into equation (2) to find bb.

3(3)+2b=193(3) + 2b = 19

9+2b=199 + 2b = 19

2b=102b = 10

b=5b = 5

  1. Verify with the other equation. …

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