APPLICATIONS TO THE DERIVATIVES

Maxima-Minima Problems

1. What number exceeds its square by the maximum amount?

Sol’n:

Let : x = the number

x2 = the square of the number

y = the difference between x and x2

y = x − x2 ;differentiate y with respect to x

y/ = 1 − 2x then set y/ = 0

0 = 1 − 2x

x = ANSWER

2. The sum of two numbers is 8.Find the minimum value of the

sum of their squares.

Sol’n:

Let : x = be the number

8 – x = be the other number

S = be the sum

S = x2 + (8 – x)2 ;differentiate S with respect to x

 = 2x + 2(8 – x ) (-1) then set = 0

2x = 2(8 – x ) divisible by 2

x = 8–x

2x = 8

x = 4

So, the minimum value of the sum of their squares

S = (4)2 + (8 – 4)2

S = 32 ANSWER

3. Find two numbers whose sum is K, if the product of one by

the cube of the other is to be a maximum.

Sol’n: Let : x = the number

K – x = the other number

P = the product to be maximum

P = x3 ( K – x ) ;differentiate P with respect to x

and K here is a constant

= x3 ( - 1) + ( K – x )3x2 then set = 0

0 = x3 ( - 1) + ( K – x )3x2

x3 = ( K – x )3x2 divisible by x2

x = 3( K – x )

x = 3 K - 3x
4x = 3 K

x = K

, so the other number is K – x which is K - K= K

K , K ANSWERS

4. What should be the shape of a rectangular field of a given

area, if it is to be enclosed by the least amount of fencing?

Sol’n:

Let : X = be the width A = the area

Y = be the length P = perimeter

A = XY

0 = XY/ + Y( 1 )

Y/ = ------eqn (1)

P = 2X + 2Y

= 2(1) + 2Y/ then set = 0

0 = 2 + 2Y/ divisible by 2 and substituting Y/ ---eqn (1)

0 =1 +

1 =

X = Y ;since its width is equal to its length the shape is

SQUARE.

SQUARE ANSWER

5. Find the minimum amount of thin sheet that can be made

into a closed cylinder having a volume of 108 in3 ,in inches2 .

Sol’n: r

A = 2∏r2 + 2∏rh ------ eqn (1 )

V = ∏r2h , but V = 108

2
108 = ∏r h

h = substitute this from eqn (1)

A = 2∏r2 + clearing the equation

A = 2∏r2 + ;differentiate A with respect to r

= 4∏r - then set = 0

0 = 4∏r -

4∏r3 = 216

r3 =

r = 2.58

from: h = =h = = 5.16

The minimum amount or Area therefore from eqn (1 )

A = 2∏(2.58)2 + 2∏(2.58)(5.16)

A = 125.50 inches2 ANSWER

6. The cost of a product is a function of the quantity “X” of

the product. If C(X) = X2 – 2000X + 100, find the quantity
“X” for which the cost is minimum.

Sol’n

C(X) = X2 – 2000X + 100 ;differentiate C with respect

to x

C/(X) = 2X – 2000 then set C/(X) = 0

0 = 2X – 2000

2X = 2000

X = 1000 ANSWER
7. A recently released film “The Giant gtuls sa dwin” has its

weekly revenue given by R(t) = where R(t) is in

millions of pesos and t is in weeks. When will the revenue be

maximized?

Sol’n :

R(t) = ;differentiate R with respect to t

R/(t) = then set R/(t) = 0

0 =

0 = 50t2 + 1800 - 100t2

100t2 - 50t2 = 1800

50t2 = 1800

t = 6 weeks ANSWER

8. Analysis of daily output of a factory shows that the hourly

number of units “Y” produced after “x” hours of production is

Y = 70x + x2 – x3 .What would be the maximum hourly

output?

Sol’n :

Y = 70x + x2 – x3 ;differentiate Y with respect to T

Y/ = 70 + x - 3x2 then set Y/ = 0

0 = 70 + x - 3x2 it’s a Quadratic Equation

3x2 - x - 70 = 0 so by factoring

(3x + 14)(x - 5) = 0

3x + 14 = 0 ; x - 5 = 0

x = can’t be used because there’s no negative time

x = 5hours using this to get Maximum hourly output

Y = 70(5) + (5)2 – (5)3

Y = 237.5 units (Maximum hourly output) ANSWER