| Exam Board | AQA |
|---|---|
| Module | D2 (Decision Mathematics 2) |
| Year | 2008 |
| Session | January |
| Marks | 14 |
| Paper | Download PDF ↗ |
| Mark scheme | Download PDF ↗ |
| Topic | The Simplex Algorithm |
| Type | Complete Simplex solution |
| Difficulty | Standard +0.3 This is a standard, methodical Simplex algorithm question requiring routine application of the pivot procedure. While it involves multiple steps, each step follows a well-defined algorithm taught in D2 with no novel problem-solving or insight required. The question is slightly easier than average because it explicitly tells students which column to pivot on first, removing the decision-making element. |
| Spec | 7.07a Simplex tableau: initial setup in standard format7.07b Simplex iterations: pivot choice and row operations7.07c Interpret simplex: values of variables, slack, and objective |
| \(\boldsymbol { P }\) | \(\boldsymbol { x }\) | \(\boldsymbol { y }\) | \(\boldsymbol { z }\) | \(s\) | \(\boldsymbol { t }\) | \(\boldsymbol { u }\) | value |
| 1 | -2 | -3 | -5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 |
| 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 33 |
4 A linear programming problem involving the variables $x , y$ and $z$ is to be solved. The objective function to be maximised is $P = 2 x + 3 y + 5 z$. The initial Simplex tableau is given below.
\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|}
\hline
$\boldsymbol { P }$ & $\boldsymbol { x }$ & $\boldsymbol { y }$ & $\boldsymbol { z }$ & $s$ & $\boldsymbol { t }$ & $\boldsymbol { u }$ & value \\
\hline
1 & -2 & -3 & -5 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\
\hline
0 & 1 & 0 & 1 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 9 \\
\hline
0 & 2 & 1 & 4 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 40 \\
\hline
0 & 4 & 2 & 3 & 0 & 0 & 1 & 33 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item In addition to $x \geqslant 0 , y \geqslant 0 , z \geqslant 0$, write down three inequalities involving $x , y$ and $z$ for this problem.
\item \begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item By choosing the first pivot from the $z$-column, perform one iteration of the Simplex method.
\item Explain how you know that the optimal value has not been reached.
\end{enumerate}\item \begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Perform one further iteration.
\item Interpret the final tableau and state the values of the slack variables.
\end{enumerate}\end{enumerate}
\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA D2 2008 Q4 [14]}}