Optimizing an Advertising Campaign (view Screencast of this project here) In this class we were asked to solve a problem using linear programming in order to choose the best way to optimize results. The problem asked to find the right combination of television and radio ads that could reach the most of the population and maximize the cost. There were different constraints assigned to the project that were required. The results were graphed and analyzed. While the problem involved advertising, linear programming can be used in other ways. My brother owns a photography business and must decide how to price his portrait sessions in order to maximize his time, payment and travel expenses. He must choose when it makes more sense to price a session as a flat fee for a set amount of time or to itemize his services to include travel expenses and services after the session. This decision is different for each client. Using a linear equation could help him analyze his options more efficiently. Another use for linear equations is for a student like me. Often times I have a grade earned to date and have assignments and exams that will eventually be added to my overall score. A linear equation could be used to calculate how many future points I would need in relation to my current grade in order to maintain the grade I want.
Since I have not taken very many classes up to this point, the closest class this project relates to is Communications. In my Communications class we learned about various ways of spreading information, such as email, social media, traditional media, word of mouth and print. These areas could use linear programming to show and analyze the most successful and cost efficient ways to spread information. Linear programming can be applied to my own life, particularly in planning and preparing food for large groups. I am a leader in a youth organization and find myself planning and preparing various meals for large amounts of people, while being constrained to a budget and time factors. Using linear programming, I can find the most optimal combination of menu items, the cost to make each item and how many people can be served from the recipes. This project changed my way of thinking when it comes to math, particularly linear programming. I would never have considered graphing menu items at their various cost and the amount of people they could feed in order to determine the most sensible items to serve. I probably would have estimated and hoped for the best. This project has given me a better option for a more accurate result.