1
$\begingroup$

The problem is: Beth works a maximum of $20$ hours/week programming computers and tutoring math. She receives $\$25$/hour for programming and $\$20$/hour for tutoring. She works between $3$ and $8$ hours/week programming, but always gives more time to tutoring. How many hours should she work at each job to maximize her income?

Let $x$ = # hours programming and $y$ = # hours tutoring.

My constraints are:

Total hours: $x + y ≤ 20$

Hours programming: $3 ≤ x ≤ 8$

Hours tutoring: $y > x$

Are these right?

$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ Seems OK. I would be more comfortable with $y\ge x$, even though it goes against the usual meaning of "more". $\endgroup$
    – André Nicolas
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:40
  • $\begingroup$ But then y could be equal to x, and y is always greater. $\endgroup$
    – Someone
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:41
  • $\begingroup$ Sure. But if you are ultimately solving "graphically," and the relevant corner involves the line $y=x$, we probably would not reject that as an answer. $\endgroup$
    – André Nicolas
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:48
  • $\begingroup$ But if I'm solving graphically, I would use the vertices, no? So it wouldn't matter if the line was y ≥ x or y > x since it would be the same line. $\endgroup$
    – Someone
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:50
  • $\begingroup$ Don't worry about it. $\endgroup$
    – André Nicolas
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:52

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

It looks good, though "between" is a bit ambiguous. Sometimes, it is meant the way that you interpreted it, but sometimes, it is meant to indicate strict inequalities.

$\endgroup$
8
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, but that's not what the restriction says, because x and y do not have to add up, only if she has to maximize her income. $\endgroup$
    – Someone
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:39
  • $\begingroup$ I think it's meant the way I interpreted it; I wouldn't worry. $\endgroup$
    – Someone
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:40
  • $\begingroup$ You're correct. I've deleted it from my answer. $\endgroup$
    – Cameron Buie
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:40
  • $\begingroup$ Okay, sounds good. Thanks so much for your quick answer! $\endgroup$
    – Someone
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:40
  • $\begingroup$ If it were meant the other way, we actually couldn't maximize income, so I'm sure you appropriately interpreted it. $\endgroup$
    – Cameron Buie
    Dec 3, 2012 at 20:41

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .