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UECM2043, UECM2093 Operations Research

Tutorial 2

1. Consider the following LP:
Maximize = 2
1
+3
2

subject to

1
+3
2
6
3
1
+2
2
6

1
,
2
0

a) Express the problem in equation form.
b) Determine all the basic solutions of the problem, and classify them as feasible and
infeasible.
c) Use direct substitution in the objective function to determine the optimum basic
feasible solution.
d) Verify graphically that the solution obtained in (c) is the optimum LP solution. Hence,
conclude that the optimum solution can be determined algebraically by considering
the basic feasible solutions only.
e) Show how the infeasible basic solutions are represented on the graphical solution
space

2. Consider the following LP with two variables:
Max = 8
1
+ 4
2

Subject to
2
1
+
2
4

1
+2
2
5

1
,
2
0
Consider the graphical solution of the problem. Identify the path of the simplex method
and the basic and nonbasic variables that define this path.

3. Consider the following set of constraints:

1
+2
2
+ 2
3
+ 4
4
40
2
1

2
+
3
+ 2
4
8
4
1
2
2
+
3

4
10

1
,
2
,
3
,
4
0
Solve the problem for each of the following objective functions.
(a) Maximize = 2
1
+
2
3
3
+5
4
.
(b) Minimize = 5
1
4
2
+6
3
8
4
.

4. The following tableau represents a specific simplex iteration. All variables are
nonnegative. The tableau is not optimal for either a maximization or a minimization
problem. Thus, when a nonbasic variable enters the solution it can either increase or
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decrease z or leave it unchanged, depending on the parameters of the entering nonbasic
variable.

Basic x
1
x
2
x
3
x
4
x
5
x
6
x
7
x
8
Solution
z 0 -5 0 4 -1 -10 0 0 620
x
8
0 3 0 -2 -3 -1 5 1 12
x
3
0 1 1 3 1 0 3 0 6
x
1
1 -1 0 0 6 -4 0 0 0

a) Categorize the variables as basic and nonbasic and provide the current values of all
the variables.
b) Assuming that the problem is of the maximization type, identify the nonbasic
variables that have the potential to improve the value of z. If each such variable enters
the basic solution, determine the associated leaving variable, if any, and the associated
change in z. Do not use the Gauss-J ordan row operations.
c) Repeat part (b) assuming that the problem is of the minimization type.
d) Which nonbasic variable(s) will not cause a change in the value of Z when selected to
enter the solution?

5. The Gutchi Company manufactures purses, shaving bags, and backpacks. The
construction includes leather and synthetics, leather being the scarce raw material. The
production process requires two types of skilled labor: sewing and finishing. The
following table gives the availability of the resources, their usage by the three products,
and the profits per unit.

Resource requirement per unit
Resource Purse Bag Backpack Daily availability
Leather (ft
2
) 2 1 3 42 ft
2

Sewing (hr) 2 1 2 40 hr
Finishing (hr) 1 0.5 1 45 hr
Selling price ($) 24 22 45

Formulate the problem as a linear program and find the optimum solution by using the
simplex method.

6. Use the Big M method to solve the following LP:
Maximize = 2
1
+ 3
2
5
3

Subject to

1
+
2
+
3
= 7
2
1
5
2
+
3
10

1
,
2
,
3
0


3

7. Use the Big M method to solve the following LP:
Minimize = 4
1
8
2
+ 3
3

Subject to

1
+
2
+
3
= 7
2
1
5
2
+
3
10

1
,
2
,
3
0


8. Consider the following LP:
Maximize = 3
1
+2
2

subject to
4
1

2
4
4
1
+ 3
2
6
4
1
+
2
4

1
,
2
0

(a) Show that the associated simplex iterations are temporarily degenerate.
(b) Verify the result by solving the problem graphically.

9. For the following LP, identify three alternative optimal basic solutions, and then write a
general expression for all the nonbasic alternative optima comprising these three basic
solutions.
Maximize =
1
+2
2
+3
3

subject to

1
+ 2
2
+3
3
10

1
+
2
5

1
1

1
,
2
,
3
0

10. Consider the LP:
Maximize = 20
1
+10
2
+
3

subject to
3
1
3
2
+5
3
50

1
+
3
10

1

2
+ 4
3
20

1
,
2
,
3
0
(a) By inspecting the constraints, determine the direction (
1
,
2
,
3
) in which the
solution space is unbounded.
(b) Without further computations, what can you conclude regarding the optimum
objective value?



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11. Consider the LP model
Maximize = 3
1
+2
2
+3
3

subject to
2
1
+
2
+
3
2
3
1
+4
3
+2
3
8

1
,
2
,
3
0
Show that the optimal solution includes an artificial basic variable at zero level. Does the
problem have a feasible optimal solution?

12. The NW Shopping Mall conducts special events to attract potential patrons. Among the
events that seem to aUract teenagers, the young/middle-aged group, and senior citizens,
the two most popular are band concerts and art shows. Their costs per presentation are
$1500 and $3000, respectively. The total (strict) annual budget allocated to the two events
is $15,000. The mall manager estimates the attendance as follows:

Number attending per presentation
Event Teenagers Young/middle age Seniors
Band concert 200 100 0
Art show 0 400 250

The manager has set minimum goals of 1000, 1200, and 800 for the attendance of
teenagers, the young/middle-aged group, and seniors, respectively. Formulate the
problem as a goal programming model. Suppose that the goal of attracting
young/middle-aged people is twice as important as for either of the other two categories
(teens and seniors). Find the associated solution, and check if all the goals have been
met.

13. Camyo Manufacturing produces four parts that require the use of a lathe and a drill press.
The two machines operate 10 hours a day. The following table provides the time in
minutes required by each part:

Production time in min
Part Lathe Drill press
1 5 3
2 6 2
3 4 6
4 7 4

It is desired to balance the two machines by limiting the difference between their total
operation times to at most 30 minutes. The market demand for each part is at least 10
units. Additionally, the number of units of part 1 may not exceed that of part 2.
Formulate the problem as a goal programming model.
Suppose that the market demand goal is twice as important as that of balancing the two
machines, and that no overtime is allowed. Solve the problem, and determine if the goals
are met.