AS June 2024 Q4

EdexcelAS paperCurrent spec12 marksLinear Programming

4.

Figure 4: graph for x from -5 to 30 showing the lines x + y = 30, y = 2x + 10 and 5y = 2x - 10, with the region satisfying all three left unshaded
Figure 4

Figure 4 shows three of the six constraints for a linear programming problem in \(x\) and \(y\)

The unshaded region and its boundaries satisfy these three constraints.

(a) State these three constraints as simplified inequalities with integer coefficients. (3)

The variables \(x\) and \(y\) represent the number of orange fish and the number of blue fish, respectively, that are to be kept in an aquarium.

The number of fish in the aquarium is subject to these three further constraints

  • there must be at least one blue fish
  • the orange fish must not outnumber the blue fish by more than ten
  • there must be no more than five blue fish for every orange fish
(b) Write each of these three constraints as a simplified inequality with integer coefficients. (2)
(c) Represent these three constraints by adding lines and shading to Diagram 1 in the answer book, labelling the feasible region, \(R\) (3)

[Diagram 1 in the answer book is a copy of Figure 4.]

The total value (in pounds) of the fish in the aquarium is given by the objective function

\[\text{Maximise } P = 3x + 5y\]
(d)
(i) Use the objective line method to determine the optimal point of the feasible region, giving its coordinates as exact fractions.
(ii) Hence find the maximum total value of the fish in the aquarium, stating the optimal number of orange fish and the optimal number of blue fish. (4)