9.3. Setting Up Linear Programming Variables

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define linear programming in your own words.

   Hint

   Think about optimization in business or resource allocation.

2. 2.

   What are the users in our bandwidth problem?

   Hint

   Recall the three users we discussed.

3. 3.

   What is the primary goal of linear programming?

   • To minimize complications
   • To maximize an objective function
   • To reduce variables

   Hint

   Think about why we set up these problems.

4. 4.

   True or False: Each variable in our linear programming must be a negative number.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider the context of physical quantities like bandwidth.

5. 5.

   If the total capacity from user A to user B is 12 Mbps, write the corresponding constraint for x_A_B and y_A_B given that the minimum requirement is 2 Mbps.

   Hint

   Combine the minimum overflow and maximum capacity into one equation.

6. 6.

   Evaluate how to adjust the objective function if the revenue rates change to 500 for A-C instead of 400.

   Hint

   Think about how changes in revenue rates impact our maximization goal.