A Simple Linear Programming Example: Equipment Bags

Our firm makes equipment bags for professional camera equipment. We have two models: regular and deluxe. We have a prior pricing agreement with our distributor, who is willing to buy as much of each kind of bag as we could conceivably make.

There are four steps in making a bag:

Each regular bag requires 7/10 hour in cutting and dyeing, 1/2 hour in sewing, 1 hour in finishing, and 1/10 hour in inspection and packing. On the other hand, each deluxe bag needs 1 hour in cutting and dyeing, 5/6 hour in sewing, 2/3 hour in finishing, and 1/4 hour in inspection and packing. The profit obtained for each regular bag is $10, while that for each deluxe bag is $9.

Finally, the director of manufacturing estimates that 630 hours for cutting and dyeing, 600 hours for sewing, 708 hours for finishing, and 135 hours for inspection and packing will be available for manufacturing the bags during the next production cycle.

In order to maximize the profit for the company, how many bags of each type should we manufacture?