Here is a very simplified version of the problem facing the planners of the Berlin Airlift. The goal is to maximize the weekly cargo capacity of American and British planes flying into Berlin. The cargo capacity of an American plane is 30,000 cubic feet and the cargo capacity of a British plane is 20,000 cubic feet. However, there are only enough runways to allow 56 flights per week, plus the total cost per week is limited to $300,000 (an American flight costs $9000 and a British flight costs $5000). Finally, only 512 crew members are available; each American flight requires 16 crew members and each British flight requires 8. How many American and British planes should be used to maximize the cargo capacity? Perplexed, the Supreme Commander, Allied Powers Europe turns to his staff for help. As his Chief of Staff, you are ordered to prepare a briefing for him with your advice on the number of American and British planes required to maximize the cargo capacity and the cubic feet of cargo that can be carried under these conditions each week. Of course, your briefing should include the six steps identified in Chapter 5 for solving linear programming problems.
You must include a graph in your submission:
The graph must display the feasible set.
It should be large i. e. occupy at least half the width and half the height of a page.
Model your graph on one of my solutions (in my lecture on Section 5.4) and in the textbook.
I recommend you use computer software to make the graph. If you do the graph by hand you must use graph paper and write your name on it.