| Exam Board | AQA |
|---|---|
| Module | D2 (Decision Mathematics 2) |
| Year | 2007 |
| Session | June |
| 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 follows a mechanical process taught directly in D2: reading constraints from the tableau, selecting pivots using standard rules, performing row operations, and interpreting the final tableau. No novel insight or problem-solving is required—just careful execution of a learned algorithm. |
| 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 objective7.07d Simplex terminology: basic feasible solution, basic/non-basic variable |
| \(\boldsymbol { P }\) | \(\boldsymbol { x }\) | \(\boldsymbol { y }\) | \(\boldsymbol { s }\) | \(\boldsymbol { t }\) | \(\boldsymbol { u }\) | value |
| 1 | - 3 | - 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 |
| 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 39 |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| \(x + 2y \leq 36\) | B1 | |
| \(x + y \leq 20\) | B1 | |
| \(4x + y \leq 39\) | 2 marks total |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| Pivot column is \(y\); ratios \(36/2=18\), \(20/1=20\), \(39/1=39\); pivot row is row 1 (value 36) | M1 A1 | |
| New row 1: divide by 2 | M1 | |
| Correct updated tableau after one iteration | A1 | 4 marks |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| There is still a negative value in the objective row (P row) | B1 | 1 mark |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| Second pivot in \(x\)-column; correct pivot element identified | M1 A1 | |
| Correct final tableau produced | A1 A1 | 4 marks |
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
| \(P = 95\), \(x = 1\), \(y = 17\) (or correct values from tableau) | B1 | |
| Slack variables: \(s=0\), \(t=2\), \(u=0\) (constraints 1 and 3 tight) | B1 B1 | 3 marks |
# Question 4:
## Part (a)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| $x + 2y \leq 36$ | B1 | |
| $x + y \leq 20$ | B1 | |
| $4x + y \leq 39$ | | 2 marks total |
## Part (b)(i)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Pivot column is $y$; ratios $36/2=18$, $20/1=20$, $39/1=39$; pivot row is row 1 (value 36) | M1 A1 | |
| New row 1: divide by 2 | M1 | |
| Correct updated tableau after one iteration | A1 | 4 marks |
## Part (b)(ii)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| There is still a negative value in the objective row (P row) | B1 | 1 mark |
## Part (c)(i)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| Second pivot in $x$-column; correct pivot element identified | M1 A1 | |
| Correct final tableau produced | A1 A1 | 4 marks |
## Part (c)(ii)
| Answer | Marks | Guidance |
|--------|-------|----------|
| $P = 95$, $x = 1$, $y = 17$ (or correct values from tableau) | B1 | |
| Slack variables: $s=0$, $t=2$, $u=0$ (constraints 1 and 3 tight) | B1 B1 | 3 marks |
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4 A linear programming problem involving variables $x$ and $y$ is to be solved. The objective function to be maximised is $P = 3 x + 5 y$. The initial Simplex tableau is given below.
\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ | c | r | r | c | c | c | c | }
\hline
$\boldsymbol { P }$ & $\boldsymbol { x }$ & $\boldsymbol { y }$ & $\boldsymbol { s }$ & $\boldsymbol { t }$ & $\boldsymbol { u }$ & value \\
\hline
1 & - 3 & - 5 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\
\hline
0 & 1 & 2 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 36 \\
\hline
0 & 1 & 1 & 0 & 1 & 0 & 20 \\
\hline
0 & 4 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 1 & 39 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item In addition to $x \geqslant 0 , y \geqslant 0$, write down three inequalities involving $x$ and $y$ for this problem.
\item \begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item By choosing the first pivot from the $\boldsymbol { y }$-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 2007 Q4 [14]}}