Question
Determine graphically the minimum value of the objective function Z = -50x + 20y subject to the constraints:
2x - y $\geq$ - 5
3x + y $\geq$ 3
2x - 3y $\leq$ 12
x $\geq$ 0, y $\geq$ 0

Answer

2x - y $\geq$ - 5
3x + y $\geq$ 3
2x - 3y $\leq$ 12
x $\geq$ 0, y $\geq$ 0
The feasible region of the system of inequations given in constraints is shown in a figure. We observe that the feasible region is unbounded.

The values of the objective function Z at the comer points are given in the following table:

Corner point (x, y) Value of the objective function Z = -50x + 20y
(0,5) Z = - 50 $\times$ 0 + 20 $\times$ 5 = 100
(0,3) Z = - 50 $\times$ 0 + 20 $\times$ 3 = 60
(1,0) Z = - 50 $\times$ 1 + 20 $\times$ 0 = - 50
(6,0) Z = -50 $\times$ 6 + 20 $\times$ 0 = - 300

Clearly, - 300 is the smallest value of Z at the corner point (6, 0). Since the feasible region is unbounded, therefore, to check whether - 300 is the minimum value of Z, we draw the line - 300 = -50x + 20y and check whether the open half plane -50 x + 20y < -300 has points in common with the feasible region or not. From Fig., we find that the open half plane represented by - 50 x + 20y < - 300 has points in common with the feasible region. Therefore, Z = - 50x + 20y has no minimum value subject to the given constraints.

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