APPLICATION OF MAXIMA AND MINIMA:

STEPS IN SOLVING MAXIMA AND MINIMA PROBLEMS:

1. Make a sketch illustrating the conditions and given data of the

problem and label properly.

2. Express the functions whose maximum or minimum value is required in

terms of the variables used in the figure into a single variable only.

3. Differentiate the functions with respect to the single variable.

After determining the first derivative, equate to zero to find the
critical values.

4. Test the required values for maximum or minimum by applying the two
tests.
Illustrative Problem:
Determine points on the parabola 𝑦 2 = 2𝑥 closest to the point 1, 0
Solution:
𝑦 2 = 2𝑥 ; parabola that opens to the right
2
𝑦−𝑘 = 4𝑎 𝑥 − ℎ ; standard equation of a parabola that opens to the right
2
𝑦−0 =2 𝑥−0
1
4𝑎 = 2 ; 𝑎 = 2
Vertex at ℎ, 𝑘 ; ℎ = 0 ; 𝑘 = 0 ∴ 𝑉 0, 0
Sketch the parabola;
Solution cont’d:

Using the distance formula

𝑑2 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 2
+ 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2

𝑑2 = 𝑥 − 1 2
+ 𝑦−0 2

𝑑2 = 𝑥 − 1 2
+ 𝑦 2 ; but 𝑦 2 = 2𝑥

𝑑2 = 𝑥 − 1 2
+ 2𝑥

𝑑 2 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 + 2𝑥

𝑑2 = 𝑥 2 + 1

2𝑑𝑑′ = 2𝑥 ; equate 𝑑 ′ to zero to determine maximum or minimum value

2𝑥 = 0 ; 𝑥 = 0 ; 𝑦 = 0 ∴ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑠 0, 0 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟

Illustrative Problem:
A man in arow boat at point 𝑃 is 5 miles from the nearest point 𝐴 on a
straight shore wishes to reach point 𝐵 6 miles from along the shore in the
shortest time. Where should he land if he can row 2 MPH and can walk 4
MPH.
Solution:

Sketch the problem;

Solution cont’d:

𝑡 = 𝑡1 + 𝑡2 →1

𝑑 𝑑 𝑧 6−𝑦
𝑣= ; 𝑡= ; 𝑡1 = 2 ; 𝑡2 =
𝑡 𝑣 4

In triangle PAC

𝑧 2 = 52 + 𝑦 2 ; 𝑧= 25 + 𝑦 2

25+𝑦 2
𝑡1 =
2
Substitute values in Equation 1

25+𝑦 2 6−𝑦
𝑡= 2
+ 4

1 𝑦 1
𝑡′ = −
2 25+𝑦 2 4
Equate 𝑡 ′ to zero for critical values
1 𝑦 1
−4 =0
2 25+𝑦2

4𝑦−2 25+𝑦2
=0
8 25+𝑦2

4𝑦 − 2 25 + 𝑦 2 = 0

2𝑦 = 25 + 𝑦 2 ; squaring both sides

4𝑦 2 = 25 + 𝑦 2

4𝑦 2 − 𝑦 2 = 25

3𝑦 2 = 25
25
𝑦2 = 3
5 3
𝑦= 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
3
Illustrative Problem:
An open cylindrical container with circular base is to hold 64 cubic
inches. Determine the dimensions so that the amount of material required
is a minimum.
Given: 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 64 𝑖𝑛3

Solution:

Sketch the problem;

64
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ ; 64 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ ; ℎ = →1
𝜋𝑟 2

A = 𝐴𝑏 + 𝐴𝑤

𝐴𝑏 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝜋𝑟 2

𝐴𝑤 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ

𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 + 2𝜋𝑟ℎ → 2
Substitute Equation 1 in Equation 2 and take the derivative of A with
respect to r

64
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 + 2𝜋𝑟 𝜋𝑟 2
64
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 + 2 𝑟
128
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 + 𝑟
0− 128
𝐴′ = 2𝜋𝑟 + 𝑟2
128
𝐴′ = 2𝜋𝑟 − ; 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐴′ 𝑡𝑜 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜
𝑟2
128
2𝜋𝑟 − 𝑟2 = 0 ; 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔

2𝜋𝑟 3 −128
=0
𝑟2

2𝜋𝑟 3 − 128 = 0
𝜋𝑟 3 − 64 = 0
64
𝑟3 = 𝜋

43 𝜋
𝑟= 𝜋
→ 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟

43 𝜋
Substit𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑟 = 𝑖𝑛 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1
𝜋

64
ℎ= 2
43 𝜋
𝜋 𝜋

ℎ = 4 3 𝜋 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
Illustrative Problem:
A sheet of paper for a poster is to 18 square feet in area. The margins at
the bottom and top, are to be 9 inches, and at the sides are to be 6
inches. What should be the dimensions of the sheet to maximize the area.
Given: Area = 18 𝑓𝑡 2

Solution:

Sketch the problem;

18
A = 𝑥𝑦 ; 18 = 𝑥𝑦 ; 𝑦 = →1
𝑥
3 18 18 3
𝐴𝑃 = 𝑥 − 1 𝑦−2 ; 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑦 = ; 𝐴𝑃 = 𝑥 − 1 −
𝑥 𝑥 2
18 18 3
𝐴′𝑃 = 𝑥 − 1 − 𝑥2 + −2 1
𝑥

18 18 18 3
𝐴′𝑃 = 𝑥 2 − + −2
𝑥 𝑥
18 3
𝐴′𝑃 = 𝑥 2 − 2
 36−3𝑥 2
𝐴′𝑃 = ; 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐴′𝑃 𝑡𝑜 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠
2𝑥 2

36−3𝑥 2
2𝑥 2
=0

36 − 3𝑥 2 = 0
3𝑥 2 = 36
𝑥 2 = 12

𝑥=2 3 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟

Substitute 𝑥 = 2 3 in Equation 1

18
𝑦= =3 3 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
2 3
Illustrative Problem:
Three sides of an isosceles trapezoid each 𝑎 meter long. Determine the
length of the fourth side for maximum area.

Solution:
Let b = the fourth side
Sketch the problem;
1
𝐴 =2 𝑎+𝑏 ℎ
𝑏 = 𝑎 + 2𝑥 → 1
ℎ=𝑦 →2
consider the triangle and by P.T.

𝑦= 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
1
𝐴= 𝑎 + 𝑎 + 2𝑥 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
2
1
𝐴= 2𝑎 + 2𝑥 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
2
𝐴= 𝑎+𝑥 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
𝑥
𝐴′ = 𝑎 + 𝑥 − + 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 1
𝑎2 −𝑥 2
2
𝑎2 −𝑥 2 −𝑥 𝑎+𝑥
𝐴′ =
𝑎2 −𝑥 2

′ 𝑎2 −𝑥 2 −𝑎𝑥−𝑥 2
𝐴 =
𝑎2 −𝑥 2

𝑎2 −𝑎𝑥−2𝑥 2
𝐴′ = ; Equate 𝐴′ to zero
𝑎2 −𝑥 2

𝑎2 − 𝑎𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 = 0

𝑎 − 2𝑥 𝑎 + 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 = −𝑎 ; 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑑
𝑎
𝑥= 2
; substitute in equation 1
𝑎
𝑏 =𝑎+2 = 2𝑎 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
2
USE OF AUXIALLIRY VARIABLES:
If the function under consideration is most readily expressed in terms of
two variables, a relation between these two variables can be found in the
conditions of the problem; by means of this relation we can eliminate one
of the variables and can determine the maximum or minimum values.

Illustrative Problem:

A rectangular lot with an existing stone wall on one side is to be fenced

off. If the area of the lot is 1250 𝑚2. Determine the dimension that
requires the least amount of fencing.

Solution:

Let x = the length of the lot

Let y = the width of the lot

Sketch the problem;

A = xy → 1

P = x + 2y → 2
A′ = xy ′ + y ; equate A′ to zero
′ ′
𝑦
xy + y = 0 ; 𝑦 = − →3
𝑥
P′ = 1 + 2𝑦 ′ ; equate P′ to zero
′ ′
1
1 + 2y = 0 ; 𝑦 = − →4
2
Solving Equation 3 and Equation 4
𝑦 1
− =−
𝑥 2
𝑥 = 2𝑦 → 5 ; 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴 = 1250 𝑚2 in Equation 1
1250 = 𝑦 2𝑦 ; 𝑦 = 25 𝑚 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
𝐼𝑛 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 5
x = 2 25 ; 𝑥 = 50 𝑚 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
Illustrative Problem:
Determine the dimensions of a rectangle of maximum area inscribed in a
circle of radius 𝑟.

Solution:

Sketch the problem;

𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦 →1
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑃. 𝑇
𝑥 2 𝑦 2
+ = 𝑟2
2 2

𝑥2 𝑦2
+ = 𝑟2
4 4

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4𝑟 2 →2
Differentiate Equation 1;
𝐴′ = 𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 ; 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐴′ 𝑡𝑜 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜
′ ′
𝑦
𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦 = 0 ; 𝑦 = − →3
𝑥
Differentiate Equation 2;

𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 4𝑟 2 →2

8𝑟𝑟 ′ = 2𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 ′ ; 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑟 ′ 𝑡𝑜 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜

′ ′
𝑥
2𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 = 0 ; 𝑦 = − →4
𝑦
Solving Equation 3 and 4;
𝑦 𝑥
− =− ; 𝑥2 = 𝑦2 ; 𝑥 = 𝑦 → 5
𝑥 𝑦
Substitute Equation 5 in Equation 2;
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 = 4𝑟 2
𝑥 = 𝑟 2 = 𝑦 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
Illustrative Problem:
A farmer has 280-m of fencing materials to be used to fence two separate
lots, a square and the other a rectangle with the length three times as
long as its width. Determine the dimensions of each lot so that the sum of
their area is a maximum.
Given: P = 280 m
Solution:
Let x – length of the side of the square lot
Let y – length of the width of the rectangular lot

Sketch the problem;

𝑃 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2
𝑃1 = 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 4𝑥
𝑃2 = 2𝑦 + 6𝑦 = 8𝑦

𝑃 = 4𝑥 + 8𝑦 → 1
Differentiate Equation 1;

𝑃′ = 4 + 8𝑦 ′ ; Equate 𝑃′ to zero
1
4 + 8𝑦 ′ =0 ; 𝑦 ′ =- →2
2
A = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2
𝐴1 = 𝑥 2
𝐴2 = 3𝑦 2
A = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 →3
Differentiate Equation 3;

𝐴′ = 2𝑥 + 6𝑦𝑦 ′ ; 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐴′ 𝑡𝑜 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜

′ ′
𝑥
2𝑥 + 6𝑦𝑦 = 0 ; 𝑦 = − →4
3𝑦
Solving Equation 2 and 4;
1 𝑥 3𝑦
-2 = − 3𝑦 ; 𝑥= →5
2
Substitute Equation 5 in 1;
3𝑦
𝑃=4 + 8𝑦
2
𝑃 = 6𝑦 + 8𝑦

𝑃 = 14𝑦 ; 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑃 = 280

14𝑦 = 280 ; 𝑦 = 20 𝑚
In Equation 5 ;
3 20
𝑥= ; 𝑥 = 30 𝑚
2

The dimensions of the lots are; 30𝑥30 𝑎𝑛𝑑 20𝑥60 → 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟