Rachel Yang campus dietitian for a minor Illinois college, is accountable for formulating a nutritious meal plan for students. For an evening meal she senses that the following five meal-content requirements should be met- (1) between 900 and 1,500 calories (2) at least 4 milligrams of iron (3) no more than 50 grams of fat (4) at least 26 grams of protein and (5) no more than 50 grams of carbohydrates.
On a particular day Rachel's food stock comprises seven items that can be prepared and served for supper to meet these requirements. The cost per pound for each food item as well as its contribution to each of the five nutritional requirements are given in the accompanying table