An example: The diet problem
Trying to decide on lowest cost diet that provides sufficient amount of protein, with two choices:
- steak: 2 units of protein/pound, $3/pound
- peanut butter: 1 unit of protein/pound, $2/pound
In proper diet, need 4 units protein/day.
x = # pounds peanut butter/day in optimal diet >=0
y = # pounds steak/day in optimal diet >=0