Bicol University Graduate School

Master of Arts in Mathematics Education

Analysis for Teachers

JEPHTHAH M. OROBIA
Module 6 – Maxima and Minima

Exercises 6.2

3. A closed rectangular box whose base is twice as long as it is wide has a volume of 36,000 cm 3. The
material for the top costs 10 centavos per sq. cm; that for the sides and bottom costs 5 centavos per
sq. cm. find the dimensions that will make the cost of making the box a minimum.

Solution:
Let 𝒍, 𝒘 and 𝒉 be the length, width and height of the rectangular box, respectively.

Hence, 𝑙𝑤ℎ = 36000 but 𝑙 = 2𝑤 (given), thus:

ℎ𝑤(2𝑤) = 36000
2ℎ𝑤 2 = 36000
18000
ℎ=
𝑤2

let 𝐶(𝑤) be the cost of making the box with respect to it’s width.
𝐶(𝑥) = 10𝐴𝑡𝑜𝑝 + 5(𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 + 𝐴𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 )

But 𝐴𝑡𝑜𝑝 = 𝐴𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 = 𝑤𝑙 = 𝑤(2𝑤) = 2𝑤 2, and

18000 6∙18000
𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 = 2𝑤ℎ + 2𝑙ℎ = 2𝑤ℎ + 4𝑤ℎ = 6𝑤ℎ = 6𝑤 ( 2 ) = , thus:
𝑤 𝑤
6 ∙ 18000
𝐶(𝑤) = 10(2𝑤 2 ) + 5 ( + 2𝑤 2 )
𝑤
30 ∙ 18000
𝐶(𝑤) = 20𝑤 2 + + 10𝑤 2
𝑤
30 ∙ 18000
𝐶(𝑤) = 30𝑤 2 +
𝑤
′ (𝑤)
30 ∙ 18000
𝐶 = 60𝑤 −
𝑤2

Let 𝐶 ′ (𝑤) = 0, solve for 𝑤.

30 ∙ 18000
0 = 60𝑤 −
𝑤2
3
0 = 𝑤 − 9000
𝟑
𝒘 = 𝟏𝟎√𝟗 𝒄𝒎 ≈ 𝟐𝟎. 𝟖𝟎𝟎𝟖𝟑𝟖𝟐𝟑𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟗 𝒄𝒎
𝟑
∴ 𝒍 = 𝟐𝟎√𝟗 𝒄𝒎 ≈ 𝟒𝟏. 𝟔𝟎𝟏𝟔𝟕𝟔𝟒𝟔𝟏𝟎𝟑𝟖𝟏 𝒄𝒎
18000
∴ℎ= 3
100√92
3
180√9
ℎ=
9
𝟑
𝒉 = 𝟐𝟎√𝟗 𝒄𝒎 𝑜𝑟 𝟒𝟏. 𝟔𝟎𝟏𝟔𝟕𝟔𝟒𝟔𝟏𝟎𝟑𝟖𝟏 𝒄𝒎
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
Therefore, the dimension is 𝟏𝟎√𝟗𝒄𝒎 × 𝟐𝟎√𝟗 × 𝟐𝟎√𝟗 𝑜𝑟 𝟐𝟎. 𝟖𝒄𝒎 × 𝟒𝟏. 𝟔𝒄𝒎 × 𝟒𝟏. 𝟔𝒄𝒎.

To check if it’s the minimum:

90 ∙ 18000
𝐶 ′′ (𝑤) = 60 +
𝑤3
3 (90 ∙ 18000)
𝐶 ′′ (10√9) = 60 +
9000
3
𝐶 ′′ (10√9) = 240
3
𝐶 ′′ (10√9) > 0
3
∴ 𝐶(10√9) is the minimum.

JEPHTHAH M. OROBIA |Module 6 – Maxima Minima |Page 1 of 5

 JEPHTHAH M. OROBIA |Module 6 – Maxima Minima |Page 2 of 5

4. A mango-grower observes that if 25 mango trees are planted per hectare, the yield is 450 mangoes
per tree and that the yield per tree decreases by 10 for each additional tree per hectare. How many
trees should be planted per hectare to obtain the maximum crop?

Solution:
Let 𝒕 be the number of tress planted and 𝒎 be the number of mangoes per tree, thus:
𝑚 = 450 − 10(𝑡 − 25)
𝑚 = 700 − 10𝑡

Let 𝒇(𝒕) be the total number of mangoes obtain, therefore:

𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑚𝑡.
𝑓(𝑡) = (700 − 10𝑡)(𝑡)
𝑓(𝑡) = 700𝑡 − 10𝑡 2
𝑓 ′ (𝑡) = 700 − 20𝑡

Let 𝑓 ′ (𝑡) = 0, solve for 𝑡.

0 = 700 − 20𝑡
20𝑡 = 700
𝒕 = 𝟑𝟓 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒔

To check if it’s the maximum:

𝑓 ′′ (𝑡) = −20
𝑓 ′′ (35) = −20
𝑓 ′′ (35) < 0
∴ 𝑓(35) is the maximum.

5. Buses are to be chartered for an excursion. The bus company charges P20.00 per ticket if not more
than 200 passengers go with the trip. However, the company agrees to reduce the price of every
ticket P0.05 for each passenger in excess of 200 passengers. What number of passengers will
produce the maximum gross income?

Solution:
Let 𝒑 be the number passengers and 𝒕 be the price of the ticket per passenger, thus:
𝑡 = 20 − 0.05(𝑝 − 200)
𝑡 = 30 − 0.05𝑝

Let 𝑓(𝑝) be the gross income of the bus, therefore:

𝑓(𝑝) = 𝑝𝑡.
𝑓(𝑝) = (𝑝)(30 − 0.05𝑝)
𝑓(𝑝) = 30𝑝 − 0.05𝑝2
𝑓 ′ (𝑝) = 30 − 0.1𝑝

Let 𝑓 ′ (𝑝) = 0, solve for 𝑝.

0 = 30 − 0.1𝑝
0.1𝑝 = 30
𝒑 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔

To check if it’s the maximum:

𝑓 ′′ (𝑝) = −0.1
′′ (300)
𝑓 = −0.1
𝑓 ′′ (300) < 0
∴ 𝑓(300) is the maximum

6. A closed right circular cylindrical tank is to have a capacity of 120𝜋m3. Find the dimensions of the
tank that will require the least amount of material in making it.

Solution:
Let 𝒓 and 𝒉 be the radius of the base and the height of the tank, respectively. Thus:
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
 JEPHTHAH M. OROBIA |Module 6 – Maxima Minima |Page 3 of 5

120𝜋 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
120
ℎ= 2
𝑟

The amount of materials needed in making the tank will vary from its Surface Area (𝑆) .
𝑆 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ + 2𝜋𝑟 2
120
𝑆 = 2𝜋𝑟 ( 2 ) + 2𝜋𝑟 2
𝑟
240𝜋
𝑆= + 2𝜋𝑟 2
𝑟
240𝜋
𝑆 ′ = − 2 + 4𝜋𝑟
𝑟

Let 𝑆 ′ = 0, solve for 𝑟:

240𝜋
0=− + 4𝜋𝑟
𝑟2
3
4𝑟 = 240
𝟑
𝒓 = √𝟔𝟎 𝒎 ≈ 𝟑. 𝟗𝟏𝟒𝟖𝟔𝟕𝟔𝟒𝟏𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟗 𝒎
120
∴ℎ=3
√602
𝟑
𝒉 = 𝟐√𝟔𝟎 𝒎 ≈ 𝟕. 𝟖𝟐𝟗𝟕𝟑𝟓𝟐𝟖𝟐𝟑𝟑𝟕𝟕 𝒎

To check if it’s the minimum:

480𝜋
𝑆 ′′ = + 4𝜋
𝑟3
480𝜋
𝑆′′|𝑟= 𝟑√𝟔𝟎 = + 4𝜋
60
𝑆′′|𝑟= 𝟑√𝟔𝟎 = 12𝜋
𝑆′′|𝑟= 𝟑√𝟔𝟎 > 0
∴ 𝑆|𝑟= 𝟑√𝟔𝟎 is the minimum.

7. A building with rectangular base is to be constructed on a lot in the form of a right triangle with legs
18 m and 24 m. If the building has one side along the hypotenuse of the triangle. Find the
dimensions of the base of the building for maximum floor area.

Solution:
Let 𝑨, 𝑩, and 𝑪 be the vertices of the lot whereas ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵 is the hypotenuse, ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐶 = 24 and ̅̅̅̅
𝐵𝐶 =
̅̅̅̅ = 30.
18. ∴ by PT: 𝐴𝐵

̅̅̅̅ is along the hypotenuse

Let 𝑷, 𝑸, 𝑹,and 𝑺 be the vertices of the base of the building whereas 𝑅𝑆
as shown on the right.

̅̅̅̅ = 𝑃𝑄
Let the area of the base be 𝐾, 𝑅𝑆 ̅̅̅̅ = 𝑙 and 𝑄𝑅
̅̅̅̅ =
̅̅̅̅
𝑃𝑆 = 𝑤, thus:
𝐾 = 𝑙𝑤

Consider ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 and ∆𝐵𝑃𝑆.

tan ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶 = tan ∠𝑆𝐵𝑃
24 𝑃𝑆 ̅̅̅̅
=
18 𝑆𝐵 ̅̅̅̅
4 𝑤
=
3 𝑆𝐵 ̅̅̅̅
3𝑤
∴ ̅̅̅̅
𝑆𝐵 =
4

Consider ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 and ∆𝐴𝑄𝑅.

tan ∠𝐵𝐴𝐶 = tan ∠𝑅𝐴𝑄
̅̅̅̅
18 𝑄𝑅
=
̅̅̅̅
24 𝐴𝑅
 JEPHTHAH M. OROBIA |Module 6 – Maxima Minima |Page 4 of 5

3 𝑤
=
4 𝐴𝑅̅̅̅̅
4𝑤
∴ 𝐴𝑅 =
3
Now consider ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵:
̅̅̅̅ = 𝐴𝑅
𝐴𝐵 ̅̅̅̅ + 𝑅𝑆
̅̅̅̅ + 𝑆𝐵
̅̅̅̅
4𝑤 3𝑤
30 = +𝑙+
3 4
25𝑤
30 = +𝑙
12
25𝑤
𝑙 = 30 −
12
Substitute 𝑙 to the function 𝐾:
25𝑤
𝐾 = (30 − )𝑤
12
25𝑤 2
𝐾 = 30𝑤 −
12
′
25𝑤
𝐾 = 30 −
6
Let 𝐾 ′ = 0, solve for w:
25𝑤
0 = 30 −
6
25𝑤
= 30
6
𝟑𝟔
𝒘= 𝒎 𝑜𝑟 𝟕. 𝟐 𝒎
𝟓
25 36
∴ 𝑙 = 30 − ( )
12 5
𝒍 = 𝟏𝟓 𝒎

Therefore, the dimension is 𝟕. 𝟐 𝒎 × 𝟏𝟓 𝒎

To check if it’s the maximum:

25
𝐾 ′′ = −
6
25
𝐾′′| 36 = −
𝑤=
5 6
𝐾′′| 36 < 0
𝑤=
5
∴ 𝐾| 36 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚.
𝑤=
5

8. A sheet of cardboard 3 ft. by 4 ft. will be made into a box by cutting equal-sized squares from each
corner and folding up the four edges. What will be the dimensions of the box with largest volume?

Solution:
Let 𝒔 be the length of the side of the cut-out squares.

Hence, 𝟒 − 𝟐𝒔, 𝟑 − 𝟐𝒔, and 𝒔 be the length, width and height of the box as shown on the right.

Let 𝑽(𝒔) be the volume with respect to 𝒔. Thus:

𝑉(𝑠) = (4 − 2𝑠)(3 − 2𝑠)(𝑠)
𝑉(𝑠) = (4 − 2𝑠)(3𝑠 − 2𝑠 2 )
𝑉(𝑠) = 12𝑠 − 8𝑠 2 − 6𝑠 2 + 4𝑠 3
𝑉(𝑠) = 12𝑠 − 14𝑠 2 + 4𝑠 3
𝑉 ′ (𝑠) = 12 − 28𝑠 + 12𝑠 2

Let 𝑉 ′ (𝑠) = 0, solve for 𝑠:

0 = 12 − 28𝑠 + 12𝑠 2
7
𝑠 2 − 𝑠 = −1
3
 JEPHTHAH M. OROBIA |Module 6 – Maxima Minima |Page 5 of 5

7 49 49
𝑠2 − 𝑠 + = −1 +
3 36 36
7 2 13
(𝑠 − ) =
6 36
7 √13
𝑠− =±
6 6
7 + √13
𝑠1 = ≈ 1.767591879244
6
7 − √13
𝑠2 = ≈ 0.5657414540893
6

Use 2nd degree derivative of 𝑉(𝑠) to test which 𝒔 will give the maximum of 𝑉(𝑠):
𝑉 ′′ (𝑠) = −28 + 24𝑠
7+√13
If 𝑠 = :
6
7 + √13 7 + √13
𝑉 ′′ ( ) = −28 + 24 ( )
6 6
7 + √13
𝑉 ′′ ( ) = −28 + 28 + √13
6
7 + √13
𝑉 ′′ ( ) = √13
6
7 + √13
𝑉 ′′ ( )>0
6
7 + √13
∴ 𝑉( ) 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚
6
7−√13
If 𝑠 = 6
:
7 − √13 7 − √13
𝑉 ′′ ( ) = −28 + 24 ( )
6 6
7 − √13
𝑉 ′′ ( ) = −28 + 28 − √13
6
7 − √13
𝑉 ′′ ( ) = −√13
6
7 − √13
𝑉 ′′ ( )<0
6
7 − √13
∴ 𝑉( ) 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚
6
Thus,
𝟕 − √𝟏𝟑
𝒔= 𝐟𝐭. ≈ 𝟎. 𝟓𝟔𝟓𝟕𝟒𝟏𝟒𝟓𝟒𝟎𝟖𝟗𝟑 𝒇𝒕.
𝟔
7 − √13
∴ 3 − 2𝑠 = 3 − 2 ( )
6
9 − 7 + √13
3 − 2𝑠 =
3
𝟐 + √𝟏𝟑
𝟑 − 𝟐𝒔 = 𝒇𝒕. ≈ 𝟏. 𝟖𝟔𝟖𝟓𝟏𝟕𝟎𝟗𝟏𝟖𝟐𝟏𝟑 𝒇𝒕.
𝟑

7 − √13
∴ 4 − 2𝑠 = 4 − 2 ( )
6
12 − 7 + √13
4 − 2𝑠 =
3
𝟓 + √𝟏𝟑
𝟒 − 𝟐𝒔 = 𝒇𝒕. ≈ 𝟐. 𝟖𝟔𝟖𝟓𝟏𝟕𝟎𝟗𝟏𝟖𝟐𝟏𝟑 𝒇𝒕.
𝟑

Therefore, the dimension is 𝟐. 𝟖𝟕 𝒇𝒕.× 𝟏. 𝟖𝟕 𝒇𝒕.× 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕 𝒇𝒕.