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$$\begin{array}{ll} \text{minimize} & e^{x-y}\\ \text{subject to} & e^x + e^y \leq 20\\ & x \geq 0\end{array}$$

My attempt:

To minimize the objective function, minimise $(x-y)$, i.e., maximize $y$ and minimize $x$. Given the 2nd constraint, the minimal value of $x$ is $0$. So, $x_* = 0$. Using this in the first constraint, we obtain $e^y \leq 19$. To maximize $y$, maximize $e^y$, and so the first constraint holds with equality. $y_* = \ln (19)$. Hence, the minimum is $e^{x_* - y_*} = \frac{1}{19}$. Please tell me if it's correct.

LUCIFER
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2 Answers2

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HINT

As an alternative method to verify consider:

$$e^{x-y}=\frac{e^x}{e^y}$$

let $$a=e^{x} \quad b={e^y}$$

and study for $a\geq1$ and $b>0$

EDIT

Here is a graphical interpretation of what is going on:

enter image description here

user
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We have: $e^y \le 20 - e^x\implies e^{x-y}= \dfrac{e^x}{e^y}\ge \dfrac{e^x}{20-e^x}=\dfrac{20}{20-e^x}-1\ge \dfrac{20}{20-1}-1=\dfrac{1}{19}$, and this is the minimum which occurs when $x = 0, y = \ln 19$ .

DeepSea
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