U02 CLassroom Exercise: Problem 2-2a

Constraint ( c)
R
0.00
60.00

Constraint (d)
Constraint (e)
S
R
S
R
S
42.86
-12.00
0.00
0.00
62.50
0.00
0.00
5.00
33.33
0.00
50
25.83 This row has been added on Step 4

The three charts below are the result of Step 2

50.00
40.00
30.00
Series1

20.00
10.00
0.00
0.00

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00
6.00
5.00
4.00
3.00

Series1

2.00
1.00
0.00
-15.00

-10.00

-5.00

0.00

70.00
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00

Series1

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

The three charts below are the result of Step 3

(c)
60.00

(c)
60.00
40.00
(c)

20.00
0.00
0.00

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00

(d)
6.00
4.00
(d)

2.00
0.00
-15.00

-10.00

-5.00

0.00

(e)
40.00
30.00
20.00

(e)

10.00
0.00
0.00

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00

Chart (d) after the third data point added on Step 4

(d)
30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00

(d)

10.00
5.00
0.00
-20.00

0.00

20.00

40.00

60.00

Chart (c) after the data points for charts (d) and (e) added on Step 5
70.00

60.00

50.00

40.00

(c)
(d)

30.00

(e)

20.00

10.00

0.00
-20.00

0.00

20.00

The final chart after Step 6

40.00

60.00

80.00

It is meant that people living in the 21st century must be all computer literate.
The objective of this exercise is to learn how to graphically determine the feasible
region using MS Excel.
This spreadsheet contains the step-by step instructions for determining the feasible
region with MS Excel. You are free to do just on paper everything described below.
Problem 2-2a.
The following constraints specify the feasible region for the decision variables R and S:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

R0
S0
50*R + 70*S 3000
-5*R + 12*S 60
15*R + 8*S 500

Solution
Step 1. To make it easier drawing the plots, we convert inequalities (c), (d), and (e) into
the intercept form by dividing each inequality by its right-hand part:
(c)
(d)
(e)

R/60 + S/42.857 1
-R/12 + S/5 1
R/33.333 + S/62.5 1

Now we know the intercepts of the lines on both coordinate axes corresponding to
each inequality. This may give us the coordinates of some corner points of the feasible
region.
If you are well familiar with Excel, just go to Step 5 now. Steps 2 - 4 are for the
begginners.
Step 2. To get the idea of the scale, the shape, and the location of the feasible region
on the RS-plane, we draw the separate charts of the constraints (c), (d), and (e). In
doing so, we enter the RS-coordinates of the intercept points in the cell range A5:F6.
Note that we use S-coordinate in the ascending order; this is critical if we decide to add
extra points to the chart. The charts of constraints (a) and (b) are trivial; thus we do not

Note that we use S-coordinate in the ascending order; this is critical if we decide to add
extra points to the chart. The charts of constraints (a) and (b) are trivial; thus we do not
draw them.
To draw the chart for (c), we select the range A5:B6 and do Insert - Scatter
select the chart option with the straight lines and markers. As the result, we get the top
chart. The next two charts from top correspond to (d) and (e). Note the different scale;
also each chart has same caption "Series 1" and comes in same color. This is confusing
and must be corrected.
Step 3. To customize captions and colors, we modify each chart, as follows.

Changing color. Leave chart (c) color as it is (blue). Select the outer border of chart (d).
On the very top, the Chart Tools tab will show up. Go to this tab and click on the chart
with the red color. The color of chart (d) will become red. Change the chart (e) color to
green in similar way.
Changing caption. Right-click on the chart (c) outer border. In the large context menu
(to show this menu, a second right-click may be needed), go to Select Data
open the Select Data Source dialog. In the bigger data entry area, select Series 1
then click on Edit. In the new Edit Series dialog, enter in the top field "(c)", "(d)", or "(e)"
as appropriate. Click on OK (two times) to close the two dialogs. The new caption will
show up; in what follows, you can edit these captions.
Step 4 (optional). From the charts, we can see that the line segments belong to
different areas. The segment on chart (d) does not even intersect with the rest two
(only the line extending this segment does but it is not drawn).
Thus we want to extend the line on chart (d). In doing so, we add a third data point
cells E7, F7. From the two other charts, we guess that R must be about 50; the S of this
extra point must be calculated using (d). In doing so, we enter the R-value in cell C7. To
determine the corresponding S, we transform the constraint into the slope
form:
S 5 + 5*R/12
in cell D7, we enter the corresponding formula =5+5*C7/12; note the equal sign. Thus
if we change R (cell C7) later, the value of S will be recalculated.
Now we add the new point to chart (d). In doing so, we reopen the Select Data Source
dialog as explained in Step 3. Then we edit the data source for both X- and Y
reselecting the cell ranges. Now the range must cover three data points. The resulting
chart (d) is shown below.

reselecting the cell ranges. Now the range must cover three data points. The resulting
chart (d) is shown below.
If you gave up at this point, just draw on paper of in MS Paint what is required. Reusing
the calculations made in Excel by far will be helpful, anyway.
Step 5. To get the feasible region drawn, we need to bring all three chart in one. This
can be done by picking one chart (say (c) and adding the data points for (d) and (e).
This is easier than you think; you are going to use same features as described in Step 3.
But first save your work to a separate worksheet to be able to roll back if things go
wrong...

To add a separate line to the existing chart (c), right-click on the outer border and in the
context menu go to Select Data. This will open the Select Data Source dialog. Click on
Add; this will open the Edit Series dialog. In this dialog, enter in the top field the chart
ID "(d)". Then in the two fields below first enter X data points (three cells C5:C7) and
then Y data points (three cells D5:D7). Click on OK (two times) to close the two dialogs.
The new caption (d) and the new line segment will show up; in what follows, you can
edit these entries. Note the automatically assigned different color to the just added
line.
Repeat same for chart (e); now you enter the range containing just two data points.
Step 6. Analyze your chart and identify the feasible region.
So far, by drawing the lines, we treated the inequalities just as equations. Recalling
that each inequality is a constraint that is satisfied only by the points lying on one half
of the plane, we need to figure it out to what side of each of the lines drawn on the
chart the feasible region lies.
From (a) and (b) we know that everything lying outside the upper-right quadrant must
be eliminated. To determine the rest boundaries, we rearrange inequalities (c)
leaving S in the left-hand side with a positive coefficient. If the coefficient at S turns to
be negative, both sides of the inequality must be multiplied by -1 and the inequality
sign inverted.
Constraint (c) is same as 50*S 3000 - 70*R. The "greater or equal" sign implies that
we are interested in S-values lying on the blue line or above it.
Constraint (d) is same as 12*S 60 + 5*R. The "greater or equal" sign implies that we
are interested in S-values lying on the red line or above it.

are interested in S-values lying on the red line or above it.

Constraint (e) is same as 8*S 500 - 15*R. The "less or equal" sign implies that we are
interested in S-values lying on the green line or below it.
The summary of these findings is shown on the chart in the very bottom.
Excel chart. Rather, the chart resulting from Step 5 was copy-pasted in MS Paint and
edited there. Then the image was pasted back in this spreadsheet.
This explains the way how the chart of the feasible region could be done with Excel and
MS Paint.

To determine the SR-coordinates of the corner points B and C, solutions to two pairs of
linear equations must be found. This step is explained in the different spreadsheet
posted in this Unit in the section titled Linear Equations and Linear Inequalities
Coordinates of points A and D are apparent from the analysis done on Step 1; they are
both the intercept points.
While working on the homework assignment, you are expected to produce just the
final chart, the copy of the cell range used for creating the chart (A3:F7 in this
example), and the RS-coordinates of the four corner points of the feasible

omputer literate.

termine the feasible

termining the feasible

ing described below.

ecision variables R and S:

alities (c), (d), and (e) into

xes corresponding to
ner points of the feasible

4 are for the

n of the feasible region

ts (c), (d), and (e). In
in the cell range A5:F6.
ritical if we decide to add
are trivial; thus we do not

ritical if we decide to add

are trivial; thus we do not

Scatter and then

the result, we get the top
. Note the different scale;
e color. This is confusing

rt, as follows.

outer border of chart (d).

tab and click on the chart
nge the chart (e) color to

the large context menu

Select Data. This will
ea, select Series 1 and
p field "(c)", "(d)", or "(e)"
gs. The new caption will

gments belong to
sect with the rest two

add a third data point in

be about 50; the S of this
value in cell C7. To
slope-intercept

note the equal sign. Thus

Select Data Source

- and Y- values by
ata points. The resulting

ata points. The resulting

what is required. Reusing

three chart in one. This

points for (d) and (e).
res as described in Step 3.
roll back if things go

he outer border and in the

Source dialog. Click on
n the top field the chart
cells C5:C7) and
) to close the two dialogs.
n what follows, you can
olor to the just added

two data points.

equations. Recalling
points lying on one half
he lines drawn on the

right quadrant must

e inequalities (c)-(e) by
e coefficient at S turns to
1 and the inequality

equal" sign implies that

ual" sign implies that we

sign implies that we are

ry bottom. This is not an

pasted in MS Paint and

ld be done with Excel and

solutions to two pairs of

ifferent spreadsheet
near Inequalities.
done on Step 1; they are

d to produce just the

rt (A3:F7 in this
the feasible region.