Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2004/iii/paper-33/1/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2004 iii Paper 33 1 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-14
For the linear program in maximization form, a nonnegative multiplier of the resource inequalities giveswhenever . Equivalently, the Lagrangian is ; its supremum over is finite exactly when . Minimizing this bound gives the dual linear programThe displayed inequality proves weak duality directly.
For the final simplex tableau, the basic-variable order is . With interpreted as the ordinary unpriced slack variables, its constraint equations giveThe bottom row is read in the reduced-cost convention , with right side minus the basic objective value. It says the reduced costs of are . Thus optimality requires , while can increase without changing the objective until reaches zero. The complete primal optimum set is
Reconstructing a linear program from a final simplex tableau exposes a source inconsistency. The slack columns areBecause the first basic column is that of , the original constraint data areThe slack reduced costs give andConsequently the recovered homogeneous linear program isEvery point in the optimum segment has value . Since the segment contains a point with both variables positive, complementary slackness forces both dual column inequalities to be equalities. They give the unique dual optimum
The printed bottom-right entry is , but it must be for this linear objective and these constraint rows. Thus no original problem in the stated homogeneous standard form has exactly the entire printed tableau. Changing that one entry to gives the reconstructed problem above. Alternatively, if an affine objective is permitted, has the displayed optimum value and unchanged reduced costs; the corresponding affine dual objective is . Both interpretations have exactly the same primal and dual optimizer sets. The discrepancy is in the objective constant, not in the optimal segment.
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