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Q.The corner points of the feasible region of a Linear Programming Problem are (0,2)(0, 2), (3,0)(3, 0), (6,0)(6, 0), (6,8)(6, 8) and (0,5)(0, 5). If Z=ax+byZ = ax + by; (a,b>0)(a, b > 0) be the objective function, and maximum value of ZZ is obtained at (0,2)(0, 2) and (3,0)(3, 0), then the relation between aa and bb is : (A) a=ba = b (B) a=3ba = 3b (C) b=6ab = 6a (D) 3a=2b3a = 2b

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In a linear programming problem, if the maximum occurs at two distinct corner points, the objective function is constant along the edge joining them. Here, the maximum at (0,2)(0,2) and (3,0)(3,0) forces 2a=3b2a = 3b, so the correct relation is 3a=2b3a = 2b, which is option (D).

The key idea in the graphical method of linear programming is that the optimal value of a linear objective function Z=ax+byZ = ax + by (with a,b>0a, b > 0) over a convex feasible region always occurs at a corner point. If it occurs at two different corner points, then every point on the line segment joining them also gives the same optimal value — the objective function is constant along that edge.

Here, the maximum occurs at both (0,2)(0,2) and (3,0)(3,0). That means ZZ has the same value at these two points. Let's work through the reasoning step by step.

  1. Write the objective function at each given point.

    At (0,2)(0,2): Z=a(0)+b(2)=2bZ = a(0) + b(2) = 2b.

    At (3,0)(3,0): Z=a(3)+b(0)=3aZ = a(3) + b(0) = 3a.

  2. Since both give the same maximum value, we equate them:

2b=3a2b = 3a

  1. Rearrange to find the relation between aa and bb. From 2b=3a2b = 3a, we get 3a=2b3a = 2b. This is a direct linear relation.
Watch out

A common mistake is to stop at 2b=3a2b = 3a and pick an option like a=3ba = 3b or b=6ab = 6a by misreading the equation. Always check: 2b=3a2b = 3a means b=32ab = \frac{3}{2}a, not b=3ab = 3a or a=3ba = 3b. The correct form matching the options is 3a=2b3a = 2b.

  1. Verify against the options. …

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