Section 3 7 - Optimization
Section 3 7 - Optimization
LECTURE NOTES
Section Number:
MR.
RECORD
Days: 1 3
Topics: Optimization
3.7
Introduction
One of the most common applications of calculus involves the determination of minimum or
maximum values. Consider how frequently you hear or read terms such as greatest profit, least
cost, least time, greatest voltage, optimum size, least size, greatest strength and greatest
distance. Before outlining a general problem-solving strategy for such problems, lets look at an
example.
Example 1: A manufacturer wants to design an open box having a square base and a surface area of 108
square inches. What dimensions should the box be in order to produce a box with a maximum
volume?
h
x
x
Note: There are many possible types of boxes with varying dimensions that yield different volumes.
Volume = 74.25
3 x 3 x 8.25
Volume = 92
4 x 4 x 5.75
Volume = 103.75
5 x 5 x 4.15
Volume = 108
Volume = 88
6x6x3
8 x 8 x 1.475
y 4 x2
Example 2: Which points on the graph of
Example 3: A rectangular page is to contain 24 square inches of print. The margins at the top and bottom
of the page are to be 1 inches, and the margins on the left and right are to be 1 inch. What
should the dimensions of the page be so that the least amount of paper is used?
Example 4: Two posts, one 12 feet high and the other 28 feet high, stand 30 feet apart. They are to be
steadied by two wires, attached to a single stake, running from ground level to the top of each
post. Where should the stake be placed to use the least wire?