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Q.Solve the following linear programming problem graphically: Maximise z=4x+3yz = 4x + 3y, subject to the constraints x+y≤800x + y \le 800,   2x+y≤1000\;2x + y \le 1000,   x≤400\;x \le 400,   x,y≥0\;x, y \ge 0.

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2024Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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The maximum value of z=4x+3yz = 4x + 3y under the given constraints is found at the corner point (200,600)(200, 600) of the feasible region, giving z=2600z = 2600.

Why the graphical method works

Linear programming is about finding the best outcome (maximum or minimum) under fixed limits. When you have only two variables, you can draw every constraint as a straight line on the xyxy-plane. The region where all constraints overlap is called the feasible region — every point inside it is a possible solution.

The key insight: the optimal value of a linear objective function (like z=4x+3yz = 4x + 3y) will always occur at a corner point (vertex) of this feasible region. This is because the objective function is a plane tilting over the region; its highest point must be at an edge or corner. So we don't need to check every point — just the vertices.

Step-by-step solution

1. Convert inequalities to equations and plot the lines

We have four constraints (including non-negativity). Draw each as a line:

  • x+y=800x + y = 800 Intercepts: (800,0)(800, 0) and (0,800)(0, 800)
  • 2x+y=10002x + y = 1000 Intercepts: (500,0)(500, 0) and (0,1000)(0, 1000)
  • x=400x = 400 (vertical line)
  • x=0x = 0 and y=0y = 0 (the axes)

2. Determine which side of each line is the feasible side

For x+y≤800x + y \le 800: test (0,0)(0,0) → 0≤8000 \le 800 is true, so the region containing the origin is feasible.

For 2x+y≤10002x + y \le 1000: test (0,0)(0,0) → 0≤10000 \le 1000 is true, so again the origin side.

For x≤400x \le 400: the region to the left of the vertical line x=400x = 400.

And x≥0x \ge 0, y≥0y \ge 0 restricts us to the first quadrant.

3. Find the feasible region and its vertices

The feasible region is a polygon bounded by these lines. Its vertices are the intersection points of the boundary lines. Let's find them:

  • Intersection of x=0x = 0 and y=0y = 0: (0,0)(0,0)
  • Intersection of x=0x = 0 and x+y=800x + y = 800: (0,800)(0, 800)
  • Intersection of x=0x = 0 and 2x+y=10002x + y = 1000: (0,1000)(0, 1000) — but check: does this satisfy x+y≤800x + y \le 800? 0+1000=1000>8000 + 1000 = 1000 > 800, so it's outside. So (0,1000)(0,1000) is not a vertex of the feasible region.
  • Intersection of y=0y = 0 and x+y=800x + y = 800: (800,0)(800, 0) — but check 2x+y≤10002x + y \le 1000: 1600>10001600 > 1000, so outside.
  • Intersection of y=0y = 0 and 2x+y=10002x + y = 1000: (500,0)(500, 0) — check x≤400x \le 400? 500>400500 > 400, so outside.
  • Intersection of y=0y = 0 and x=400x = 400: (400,0)(400, 0) — check 2x+y≤10002x + y \le 1000: 800≤1000800 \le 1000, yes. So (400,0)(400,0) is a vertex.
  • Intersection of x=400x = 400 and x+y=800x + y = 800: 400+y=800  ⟹  y=400400 + y = 800 \implies y = 400, so (400,400)(400, 400). Check 2x+y≤10002x + y \le 1000: 800+400=1200>1000800 + 400 = 1200 > 1000, so outside.
  • Intersection of x=400x = 400 and 2x+y=10002x + y = 1000: 800+y=1000  ⟹  y=200800 + y = 1000 \implies y = 200, so (400,200)(400, 200). Check x+y≤800x + y \le 800: 400+200=600≤800400 + 200 = 600 \le 800, yes. So (400,200)(400, 200) is a vertex. …

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