Introduction:
This activity requires you to use linear programming to model the constraints Ian has for his bakery 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:
Ian owns a bakery and makes gingerbread men and custard squares. Use the information below to write a report for Ian making recommendations as to how many batches of each type he should make.
Information:
- Gingerbread men require 6 hours of labour per batch and custard squares require 20 hours of labour per batch.
- Gingerbread men require 91 kilograms of flour per batch and custard squares require 117 kilograms of flour per batch.
- Ian has a maximum of 960 hours of labour and 10647 kilograms of flour.
- Ian must make at least 7 batches of custard squares and at least 20 batches of gingerbread men.
- For the current year, he expects to receive $592 per batch for his custard squares and $1329 per batch for his gingerbread men.
- He is unsure of the future income from custard squares, but he thinks that next year will be approximately $4430 per batch.
Answer:
Click here to hide answers.
Definitions:
c = batches of custard squares
g = batches of gingerbread men
Equations:
-
6g + 20c  ≤ 960
91g + 117c  ≤ 10647
c  ≥ 7
g  ≥ 20
Profit (this year) = 1329 g + 592 c
Profit (future years) = 1329 g + 4430 c
Critical Points:
-
(20, 7)
(20, 42)
(90, 21)
(108, 7)
Gingerbread men | Custard squares | This Year | Future Years |
---|---|---|---|
20 | 7 | $30,724 | $57,590 |
20 | 42 | $51,444 | $212,640 |
90 | 21 | $132,042 | $212,640 |
108 | 7 | $147,676 | $174,542 |
Click here to show answers.
© 2025 J Wills