Introduction:
This activity requires you to use linear programming to model the constraints River has for his farm and to make recommendations so that he can maximise his income in the current year and in future years. You will present your findings as a written report, supported by graphs, equations and relevant calculations.
The quality of your reasoning and how well you link this to the context will determine the overall grade.
Task:
River owns a farm and grows avocados and apples. Use the information below to write a report for River making recommendations as to how many hectares of each type he should grow.
Information:
- Avocados require 2 hours of labour per hectare and apples require 6 hours of labour per hectare.
- Avocados require 8 litres of fertiliser per hectare and apples require 2 litres of fertiliser per hectare.
- River has a maximum of 432 hours of labour and 320 litres of fertiliser.
- River must grow at least 12 hectares of apples and at least 15 hectares of avocados.
- For the current year, he expects to receive $680 per hectare for his apples and $1628 per hectare for his avocados.
- He is unsure of the future income from apples, but he thinks that next year will be approximately $407 per hectare.
Answer:
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Definitions:
x = hectares of apples
a = hectares of avocados
Equations:
-
2a + 6x  ≤ 432
8a + 2x  ≤ 320
x  ≥ 12
a  ≥ 15
Profit (this year) = 1628 a + 680 x
Profit (future years) = 1628 a + 407 x
Critical Points:
-
(15, 12)
(15, 67)
(24, 64)
(37, 12)
Avocados | Apples | This Year | Future Years |
---|---|---|---|
15 | 12 | $32,580 | $29,304 |
15 | 67 | $69,980 | $51,689 |
24 | 64 | $82,592 | $65,120 |
37 | 12 | $68,396 | $65,120 |
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