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Question #41776
The Question
Consider the curve . Let and be the tangent and normal lines to at the point . Let be the feasible region in the first quadrant defined by the half-planes containing the origin bounded by and . An objective function , where and are coprime positive integers, is maximized over . If the maximum value of is attained at infinitely many points on the boundary of , what is the value of ?
Options
- A.
59
- B.
61
- C.
47
- D.
53
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Bridge
Practice problems that bridge the gap between foundational theory and advanced practical application.
Concepts Behind This Question
Multiple Optimal Solutions|Slope Sensitivity|Tangent/Normal Slope Interplay
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
This question tests the interplay between calculus and linear programming.
The core trap lies in recognizing that for a linear objective function with positive coefficients to have infinitely many optimal solutions, its slope must exactly match the negative slope of the normal line boundary.
Students often mistakenly assume a unique vertex solution or fail to correctly identify the feasible region's bounding slopes.
The coprime condition forces a unique primitive vector for the objective function, sealing the trap.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Mathematics |
| Chapter | Linear Programming - Class 12 |
| Concept | Multiple Optimal Solutions |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 7 |
| Target Solve Time | 160 sec |
| Access | Free |