Constraints Math Example 2

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Example 2

hard
A farmer plants corn (\200/acre profit) and soybeans (\150/acre profit) on at most 100 acres, with at least 20 acres of corn. Write the constraints and find the profit-maximizing allocation.

Solution

  1. 1
    Let \(c\) = corn acres, \(s\) = soybean acres.
  2. 2
    Constraints: \(c + s \leq 100\), \(c \geq 20\), \(s \geq 0\).
  3. 3
    Profit: \(P = 200c + 150s\).
  4. 4
    Since \200 > \150, maximize corn. Set \(c = 100, s = 0\) (if \(c \geq 20\) met): \(P = 200(100) = \$20{,}000\).
  5. 5
    Optimal: 100 acres of corn, 0 soybeans.

Answer

100 acres corn, 0 soybeans; profit = \$20,000
Maximize by allocating all land to the higher-profit crop (corn, \$200/acre) while satisfying all constraints.

About Constraints

Conditions or restrictions that limit which values are allowed in a problem. Constraints narrow the set of possible solutions, such as 'x must be positive' or 'the total cannot exceed 100.'

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More Constraints Examples