MA 210 LECTURE (10)

Example
3) find the maximum and minimum values of the function
a) 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑥 − 4)

40
b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 +8𝑥 3 −18𝑥2 +60

4) let 𝑥 and 𝑦 be two real variables such that 𝑥 > 0 and 𝑥𝑦 = 1.

Show that the minimum value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 is 2.
Practical Problems:
In many problems, the function (whose maximum or minimum value is required) is not
directly given. It has to be formed from the given data. If the function contains two
variables, one of them has to be eliminated with the help of the other conditions of the
problem. A number of problems deal with triangles, rectangles, circles, spheres, cones,
cylinders etc.
Thus, it is advisable to remember the formulae for areas, volumes, surfaces, etc. of
such figures.
Example:
A window has the form of a rectangle surrounded by a semi-circle. If the perimeter is
40ft, find its dimension so that the greatest amount of light may be admitted.

Sketch:

●
𝑥 0 𝑥
𝑦
Solution
The greatest amount of light may be admitted means that the area of the window may
be maximum.
Let 𝑥 fit be the radius of the semi-circle, then the length of the rectangle is 2𝑥 fit. Let the
breadth be 𝑦 ft. Then the perimeter of the whole figure is

1
 1
𝜋 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 40 and Area A= 2 𝜋𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑦 …(i)

from 𝑟𝜃
2𝑦 = 40 − (𝜋 + 2)𝑥 , thus
1 𝜋
A= 2 𝜋𝑥 2 + 𝑥[40 − (𝜋 + 2)𝑥] = 40𝑥 − ( 2 + 2) 𝑥 2
𝑑𝐴
Then 𝑑𝑥 = 40 − (𝜋 + 4)𝑥

For A to be a maximum or minimum;

𝑑𝐴
= 0 ⟹ 40 − (𝜋 + 4)𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥
40
𝑥 = (𝜋+4)

∴ from (i)
1 1 40
𝑦 = 2 [40 − (𝜋 + 4)𝑥] = 2 [40 − (𝜋 + 4) (𝜋+4)]
40
= (𝜋+4) , i.e. 𝑥 = 𝑦

𝑑2 𝐴
Also 𝑑𝑥 2 = −(𝜋 + 4) , which is negative. (max)

Thus, the area of the window is maximum when the radius of the semi-circle is equal to
the height of the rectangle.
Example
A rectangular block of metal with a square cross-section has a total surface area of
250c𝑚2 . find the maximum volume of the block of metal.
Solution
Let the rectangular block have dimensions 𝑥 by 𝑥 by 𝑦

𝑥 𝑦
𝑥

2
Surface area,
A= 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑦 = 250 … (i)
𝑉 = 𝑥2𝑦
From (i), 4𝑥𝑦 = 250 − 2𝑥 2 and
250−2𝑥 2
𝑦= 4𝑥

250−2𝑥 2
Hence 𝑉 = 𝑥2𝑦 = 𝑥2 ( )
4𝑥
1
𝑉 = 62.5𝑥 − 2 𝑥 3

Maximizing the volume;

𝑑𝑉 3
= 62.5 − 2 𝑥 2 = 0
𝑑𝑥

2(62.5)
𝑥=√ = ±6.455𝑐𝑚
3

𝑑2 𝑉
= −3𝑥 and when 𝑥 = ±6.455𝑐𝑚
𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2 𝑉
< 0, indicating a maximum volume.
𝑑𝑥 2
1 1
Hence max volume = 62.5𝑥 − 2 𝑥 3 = (62.5)(6.455) − 2 (6.455)3 = 269𝑐𝑚3

Example 3
A rectangle is to be inscribed in a semi-circle of radius 2. What is the largest area the
rectangle can have and what are the dimensions.

0 𝑥 x
Solutions
From 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 , we have

3
 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 22

𝑦 = √4 − 𝑥 2

Thus, point P is (𝑥, √4 − 𝑥 2 )

Length of rectangle: 2𝑥

Breadth of rectangle: √4 − 𝑥 2

Area A= 2𝑥√4 − 𝑥 2 on the domain [0,2].

𝑑𝐴 2𝑥 2
= 2√4 − 𝑥 2 − √4−𝑥 2 , not defined for 𝑥 = 2.
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝐴
When 𝑑𝑥 = 0 ,we have;

2(4 − 𝑥 2 ) − 2𝑥 2 = 0
𝑥2 = 2

𝑥 = ±√2

Thus, 𝑥 = √2 since 𝑥 = −√2 ∉ [0,2].

A(√2) = 2√2√4 − 2 = 4, A(0) = 0, A(2) = 0

The area has maximum of 4𝑐𝑚2 , when; length = 2√2 and breadth= √2.
Example 4
Show that the right circular cylinder of given surface (including the ends) and maximum
volume is such that its height is equal to the diameter of the base.
Solution
Let 𝑟 be the radius of the base and ℎ, the height of the cylinder.
Then, given surface 𝑆 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ + 2𝜋𝑟 2 … (1)
And 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ … (2)
Hence, V is a function of two variables 𝑟 and ℎ. To express V in terms of one variable
only (say) 𝑟 , we substitute the value of ℎ from (1) and (2).
Then
𝑆−2𝜋𝑟 2 1
V= 𝜋𝑟 2 ( ) = 𝑆𝑟 − 𝜋𝑟 3
2𝜋𝑟 2
𝑑𝑉 1
∴ 𝑑𝑟
= 2 𝑆 − 3𝜋𝑟 2

For V to be maximum or minimum, we must have

4
 𝑑𝑉 1
= 0 , i.e. 2 𝑆 − 3𝜋𝑟 2 = 0
𝑑𝑟

Or 𝑟 = √𝑆⁄6𝜋

𝑑2 𝑉
Also = −6𝜋𝑟, which is negative for 𝑟 = √𝑆⁄6𝜋
𝑑𝑟 2

Hence V is maximum for 𝑟 = √𝑆⁄6𝜋

i.e. for 6𝜋𝑟 2 = 𝑆 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ + 2𝜋𝑟 2

6𝜋𝑟 2 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ + 2𝜋𝑟 2
4𝜋𝑟 2 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ
2𝑟 = ℎ
Which provides the required result.

Example 5
A rectangular sheet of metal of length 6 meters and width 2 meters is given. Four equal
squares are removed from the corners. The size of this sheet are now turned up to form
an open rectangular box. Find approximately, the height of the box, such that the
volume of the box is maximum.