AQA D2 2008 January — Question 4 14 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleD2 (Decision Mathematics 2)
Year2008
SessionJanuary
Marks14
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicThe Simplex Algorithm
TypeComplete Simplex solution
DifficultyStandard +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.
Spec7.07a Simplex tableau: initial setup in standard format7.07b Simplex iterations: pivot choice and row operations7.07c Interpret simplex: values of variables, slack, and objective

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.
\(\boldsymbol { P }\)\(\boldsymbol { x }\)\(\boldsymbol { y }\)\(\boldsymbol { z }\)\(s\)\(\boldsymbol { t }\)\(\boldsymbol { u }\)value
1-2-3-50000
01011009
021401040
042300133
  1. In addition to \(x \geqslant 0 , y \geqslant 0 , z \geqslant 0\), write down three inequalities involving \(x , y\) and \(z\) for this problem.
    1. By choosing the first pivot from the \(z\)-column, perform one iteration of the Simplex method.
    2. Explain how you know that the optimal value has not been reached.
    1. Perform one further iteration.
    2. Interpret the final tableau and state the values of the slack variables.

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]}}