Deck 2: Introduction to Optimization and Linear Programming

Question 1

A manager has only 200 tons of plastic for his company. This is an example of a(n)

A)decision.
B)constraint.
C)objective.
D)parameter.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

What most motivates a business to be concerned with efficient use of their resources?

A)Resources are limited and valuable.
B)Efficient resource use increases business costs.
C)Efficient resources use means more free time.
D)Inefficient resource use means hiring more workers.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

What is the goal in optimization?

A)Find the decision variable values that result in the best objective function and satisfy all constraints.
B)Find the values of the decision variables that use all available resources.
C)Find the values of the decision variables that satisfy all constraints.
D)None of these.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

A set of values for the decision variables that satisfy all the constraints and yields the best objective function value is

A)a feasible solution.
B)an optimal solution.
C)a corner point solution.
D)both (a) and (c).

Question 5

The number of units to ship from Chicago to Memphis is an example of a(n)

A)decision.
B)constraint.
C)objective.
D)parameter.

Question 6

A production optimization problem has 4 decision variables and resource 1 limits how many of the 4 products can be produced. Which of the following constraints reflects this fact?

A)f(X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄) $\le$ b₁
B)f(X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄) $\ge$ b₁
C)f(X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄) = b₁
D)f(X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄) $\neq$ b₁

Question 7

Which of the following is the general format of an objective function?

A)f(X₁, X₂, ..., X_n) $\le$ b
B)f(X₁, X₂, ..., X_n) $\ge$ b
C)f(X₁, X₂, ..., X_n) = b
D)f(X₁, X₂, ..., X_n)

Question 8

A production optimization problem has 4 decision variables and a requirement that at least b₁ units of material 1 are consumed. Which of the following constraints reflects this fact?

A)f(X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄) $\ge$ b₁
B)f(X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄) $\le$ b₁
C)f(X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄) = b₁
D)f(X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄) $\neq$ b₁

Question 9

Limited resources are modeled in optimization problems as

A)an objective function.
B)constraints.
C)decision variables.
D)alternatives.

Question 10

Which of the following fields of management science finds the optimal method of using resources to achieve the objectives of a business?

A)Simulation
B)Regression
C)Mathematical programming
D)Discriminant analysis

Question 11

A common objective when manufacturing printed circuit boards is

A)maximizing the number of holes drilled.
B)maximizing the number of drill bit changes.
C)minimizing the number of holes drilled.
D)minimizing the total distance the drill bit must be moved.

Question 12

A mathematical programming application employed by a shipping company is most likely

A)a product mix problem.
B)a manufacturing problem.
C)a routing and logistics problem.
D)a financial planning problem.

Question 13

Most individuals manage their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) so they

A)maximize the amount of money they withdraw.
B)minimize the amount of taxes they must pay.
C)retire with a minimum amount of money.
D)leave all their money to the government.

Question 14

Linear programming problems have

A)linear objective functions, non-linear constraints.
B)non-linear objective functions, non-linear constraints.
C)non-linear objective functions, linear constraints.
D)linear objective functions, linear constraints.

Question 15

The desire to maximize profits is an example of a(n)

A)decision.
B)constraint.
C)objective.
D)parameter.

Question 16

Mathematical programming is referred to as

A)optimization.
B)satisficing.
C)approximation.
D)simulation.

Question 17

What are the three common elements of an optimization problem?

A)objectives, resources, goals.
B)decisions, constraints, an objective.
C)decision variables, profit levels, costs.
D)decisions, resource requirements, a profit function.

Question 18

A common objective in the product mix problem is

A)maximizing cost.
B)maximizing profit.
C)minimizing production time.
D)maximizing production volume.

Question 19

Retail companies try to find

A)the least costly method of transferring goods from warehouses to stores.
B)the most costly method of transferring goods from warehouses to stores.
C)the largest number of goods to transfer from warehouses to stores.
D)the least profitable method of transferring goods from warehouses to stores.

Question 20

The symbols X₁, Z₁, Dog are all examples of

A)decision variables.
B)constraints.
C)objectives.
D)parameters.

Question 21

The following diagram shows the constraints for a LP model. Assume the point (0,0) satisfies constraint (B,J) but does not satisfy constraints (D,H) or (C,I). Which set of points on this diagram defines the feasible solution space?

A)A, B, E, F, H
B)A, D, G, J
C)F, G, H, J
D)F, G, I, J

Question 22

The first step in formulating a linear programming problem is

A)Identify any upper or lower bounds on the decision variables.
B)State the constraints as linear combinations of the decision variables.
C)Understand the problem.
D)Identify the decision variables.
E)State the objective function as a linear combination of the decision variables.

Question 23

A company uses 4 pounds of resource 1 to make each unit of X₁ and 3 pounds of resource 1 to make each unit of X₂. There are only 150 pounds of resource 1 available. Which of the following constraints reflects the relationship between X₁, X₂ and resource 1?

A)4 X₁ + 3 X₂ $\ge$ 150
B)4 X₁ + 3 X₂ $\le$ 150
C)4 X₁ + 3 X₂ = 150
D)4 X₁ $\le$ 150

Question 24

Why do we study the graphical method of solving LP problems?

A)Lines are easy to draw on paper.
B)To develop an understanding of the linear programming strategy.
C)It is faster than computerized methods.
D)It provides better solutions than computerized methods.

Question 25

The second step in formulating a linear programming problem is

A)Identify any upper or lower bounds on the decision variables.
B)State the constraints as linear combinations of the decision variables.
C)Understand the problem.
D)Identify the decision variables.
E)State the objective function as a linear combination of the decision variables.

Question 26

A company makes two products, X₁ and X₂. They require at least 20 of each be produced. Which set of lower bound constraints reflect this requirement?

A)X₁ $\ge$ 20, X₂ $\ge$ 20
B)X₁ + X₂ $\ge$ 20
C)X₁ + X₂ $\ge$ 40
D)X₁ $\ge$ 20, X₂ $\ge$ 20, X₁ + X₂ $\le$ 40

Question 27

The following linear programming problem has been written to plan the production of two products. The company wants to maximize its profits.
X₁ = number of product 1 produced in each batch
X₂ = number of product 2 produced in each batch

How much profit is earned if the company produces 10 units of product 1 and 5 units of product 2?

A)750
B)2500
C)2750
D)3250

Question 28

The constraints of an LP model define the

A)feasible region
B)practical region
C)maximal region
D)opportunity region

Question 29

Level curves are used when solving LP models using the graphical method. To what part of the model do level curves relate?

A)constraints
B)boundaries
C)right hand sides
D)objective function

Question 30

The following linear programming problem has been written to plan the production of two products. The company wants to maximize its profits.
X₁ = number of product 1 produced in each batch
X₂ = number of product 2 produced in each batch
How much profit is earned per each unit of product 2 produced?

A)150
B)175
C)200
D)250

Question 31

The constraint for resource 1 is 5 X₁ + 4 X₂ $\ge$ 200. If X₁ = 40 and X₂ = 20, how many additional units, if any, of resource 1 are employed above the minimum of 200?

A)0
B)20
C)40
D)80

Question 32

A diet is being developed which must contain at least 100 mg of vitamin C. Two fruits are used in this diet. Bananas contain 30 mg of vitamin C and Apples contain 20 mg of vitamin C. The diet must contain at least 100 mg of vitamin C. Which of the following constraints reflects the relationship between Bananas, Apples and vitamin C?

A)20 A + 30 B $\ge$ 100
B)20 A + 30 B $\le$ 100
C)20 A + 30 B = 100
D)20 A = 100

Question 33

The objective function for a LP model is 3 X₁ + 2 X₂. If X₁ = 20 and X₂ = 30, what is the value of the objective function?

A)0
B)50
C)60
D)120

Question 34

Which of the following actions would expand the feasible region of an LP model?

A)Loosening the constraints.
B)Tightening the constraints.
C)Multiplying each constraint by 2.
D)Adding an additional constraint.

Question 35

The constraint for resource 1 is 5 X₁ + 4 X₂ $\le$ 200. If X₁ = 20 and X₂ = 5, how much of resource 1 is unused?

A)0
B)80
C)100
D)200

Question 36

The constraint for resource 1 is 5 X₁ + 4 X₂ $\ge$ 200. If X₂ = 20, what it the minimum value for X₁?

A)20
B)24
C)40
D)50

Question 37

The following linear programming problem has been written to plan the production of two products. The company wants to maximize its profits.
X₁ = number of product 1 produced in each batch
X₂ = number of product 2 produced in each batch

How many units of resource 1 are consumed by each unit of product 1 produced?

A)1
B)2
C)3
D)5

Question 38

The third step in formulating a linear programming problem is

A)Identify any upper or lower bounds on the decision variables.
B)State the constraints as linear combinations of the decision variables.
C)Understand the problem.
D)Identify the decision variables.
E)State the objective function as a linear combination of the decision variables.

Question 39

If constraints are added to an LP model the feasible solution space will generally

A)decrease.
B)increase.
C)remain the same.
D)become more feasible.

Question 40

The constraint for resource 1 is 5 X₁ + 4 X₂ $\le$ 200. If X₁ = 20, what it the maximum value for X₂?

A)20
B)25
C)40
D)50

Question 41

Jones Furniture Company produces beds and desks for college students. The production process requires carpentry and varnishing. Each bed requires 6 hours of carpentry and 4 hour of varnishing. Each desk requires 4 hours of carpentry and 8 hours of varnishing. There are 36 hours of carpentry time and 40 hours of varnishing time available. Beds generate $30 of profit and desks generate $40 of profit. Demand for desks is limited so at most 8 will be produced.
a.Formulate the LP model for this problem.
b.Solve the problem using the graphical method.

Question 42

The Happy Pet pet food company produces dog and cat food. Each food is comprised of meat, soybeans and fillers. The company earns a profit on each product but there is a limited demand for them. The pounds of ingredients required and available, profits and demand are summarized in the following table. The company wants to plan their product mix, in terms of the number of bags produced, in order to maximize profit.

a.Formulate the LP model for this problem.
b.Solve the problem using the graphical method.

Question 43

Solve the following LP problem graphically by enumerating the corner points.

Question 44

When do alternate optimal solutions occur in LP models?
a.When a binding constraint is parallel to a level curve.
b.When a non-binding constraint is perpendicular to a level curve.
c.When a constraint is parallel to another constraint.
d.Alternate optimal solutions indicate an infeasible condition.

Question 45

Which of the following special conditions in an LP model represent potential errors in the mathematical formulation?

A)Alternate optimum solutions and infeasibility.
B)Redundant constraints and unbounded solutions.
C)Infeasibility and unbounded solutions.
D)Alternate optimum solutions and redundant constraints.

Question 46

Solve the following LP problem graphically by enumerating the corner points.

Question 47

Solve the following LP problem graphically using level curves.

Question 48

The Big Bang explosives company produces customized blasting compounds for use in the mining industry. The two ingredients for these explosives are agent A and agent B. Big Bang just received an order for 1400 pounds of explosive. Agent A costs $5 per pound and agent B costs $6 per pound. The customer's mixture must contain at least 20% agent A and at least 50% agent B. The company wants to provide the least expensive mixture which will satisfy the customers requirements.
a.Formulate the LP model for this problem.
b.Solve the problem using the graphical method.

Question 49

A redundant constraint is one which

A)plays no role in determining the feasible region of the problem.
B)is parallel to the level curve.
C)is added after the problem is already formulated.
D)can only increase the objective function value.

Question 50

Solve the following LP problem graphically using level curves.

Question 51

This graph shows the feasible region (defined by points ACDEF) and objective function level curve (BG) for a maximization problem. Which point corresponds to the optimal solution to the problem?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D
E)E

Question 52

Solve the following LP problem graphically using level curves.

Question 53

When the objective function can increase without ever contacting a constraint the LP model is said to be

A)infeasible.
B)open ended.
C)multi-optimal.
D)unbounded.

Question 54

If there is no way to simultaneously satisfy all the constraints in an LP model the problem is said to be

A)infeasible.
B)open ended.
C)multi-optimal.
D)unbounded.

Question 55

The Byte computer company produces two models of computers, Plain and Fancy. It wants to plan how many computers to produce next month to maximize profits. Producing these computers requires wiring, assembly and inspection time. Each computer produces a certain level of profits but faces a limited demand. There are a limited number of wiring, assembly and inspection hours available next month. The data for this problem is summarized in the following table.
a.Formulate the LP model for this problem.
b.Solve the problem using the graphical method.

Question 56

Solve the following LP problem graphically by enumerating the corner points.

Question 57

Solve the following LP problem graphically using level curves.

Question 58

Solve the following LP problem graphically by enumerating the corner points.

Question 59

Solve the following LP problem graphically using level curves.

Question 60

Jim's winery blends fine wines for local restaurants. One of his customers has requested a special blend of two burgundy wines, call them A and B. The customer wants 500 gallons of wine and it must contain at least 100 gallons of A and be at least 45% B. The customer also specified that the wine have an alcohol content of at least 12%. Wine A contains 14% alcohol while wine B contains 10%. The blend is sold for $10 per gallon. Wine A costs $4 per gallon and B costs $3 per gallon. The company wants to determine the blend that will meet the customer's requirements and maximize profit.
a.Formulate the LP model for this problem.
b.Solve the problem using the graphical method.
c.How much profit will Jim make on the order?

Question 61

Bob and Dora Sweet wish to start investing $1,000 each month. The Sweets are looking at five investment plans and wish to maximize their expected return each month. Assume interest rates remain fixed and once their investment plan is selected they do not change their mind. The investment plans offered are:

Since Optima and National are riskier, the Sweets want a limit of 30% per month of their total investments placed in these two investments. Since Safeway and Fidelity are low risk, they want at least 40% of their investment total placed in these investments.
Formulate the LP model for this problem.

Question 62

Joey Koons runs a small custom computer parts company. As a sideline he offers customized and pre-built computer system packages. In preparation for the upcoming school year, he has decided to offer two custom computer packages tailored for what he believes are current student needs. System A provides a strong computing capability at a reasonable cost while System B provides a much more powerful computing capability, but at a higher cost. Joey has a fairly robust parts inventory but is concerned about his stock of those components that are common to each proposed system. A portion of his inventory, the item cost, and inventory level is provided in the table below.

The requirements for each system are provided in the following table:

Each system requires assembly, testing and packaging. The requirements per system built and resources available are summarized in the table below.

Joey is uncertain about product demand. In the past he has put together similar types of computer packages but his sales results vary. As a result is unwilling to commit all his in-house labor force to building the computer packages. He is confident he can sell all he can build and is not overly concerned with lost sales due to stock-outs. Based on his market survey, he has completed his advertising flyer and will offer System A for $ 1250 and will offer system B for $ 2325. Joey now needs to let his workers know how many of each system to build and he wants that mix to maximize his profits.
Formulate an LP for Dave's problem. Solve the model using the graphical method. What is Dave's preferred product mix? What profit does Dave expect to make from this product mix?