Optimization Problems

(Maxima/Minima Problems)
APPLICATIONS of the DERIVATIVES
MAXIMA and MINIMA PROBLEMS
OBJECTIVE:
At the end of the lesson, the student would be able to
illustrate and solve applied optimization problems.
 RECALL: To determine whether a point is a critical point, we verify whether f’(x) is equal to zero or
is undefined ( does not exist) at that point. To classify whether it is a maximum point or a
minimum point or neither can be than using either the First Derivative Test or the Second
Derivative Test.

FIRST DERIVATIVE TEST FOR CRITICAL POINTS

A relative extremum may occur at critical points or at points where f’(x) = 0 or f’(x) is undefined or does not
exist.
A function has a relative extremum at a critical point x = c if f’(x) changes sign from left to right of the said
point.
For a continuous function with critical point at x = c , a relative maximum occurs at x = c whenever the
derivative value changes from (+) to (–) going left to right of x = c .
; whereas, a relative minimum occurs at x = c whenever the derivative value changes from (–) to (+) going left
to right of the said point.
X-value f’(x) Conclusion X-value f’(x) Conclusion
x<c + x<c -
x=c 0 Maximum Minimum
x=c 0
point at x = c. point at x = c.
x>c - x>c +
 SECOND DERIVATIVE TEST FOR CRITICAL POINTS
Recall that the second derivative f”(x) is the derivative of f’(x). It gives the instantaneous rate of change of the
slope of the tangent line. As x increases, the tangent line may rotate from one with positive slope to negative
slope ( f”(x) <0) resulting to a curve with downward concavity or from one with a negative slope to a positive
slope (f”(x) >0) resulting to a curve with upward concavity. Concavity is associated with the second derivative
of a function.
A relative extremum may occur at critical points or at points where f’(x) = 0 or f’(x) is undefined or does not
exist.
For a continuous function with critical point at x = c , a relative maximum occurs at x = c whenever f”(c)<0;
whereas, a relative minimum occurs at x = c whenever f”(c) >0.

X-value f’(x) f”(x) Conclusion

x=c 0 + Minimum point at x = c.
x=c 0 0 Maximum point at x = c.
 In solving applied optimization problems the following steps can be considered:

Steps in solving applied maximum and minimum problems.

1. Draw the figure and label accordingly, if possible. Indicate the given parts and the
unknown parts.
2. Make the necessary representation for the variables used.
3. Determine the quantity/ function, the dependent variable, to be maximized or
minimized.
4. Find a formula relating the variables.
5. If possible, express the dependent variable in terms of a single independent
variable.
6. Differentiate the dependent variable in terms of the independent variable.
7. Determine the critical values. Verify which one maximizes or minimizes the given
function.
8. Answer the problem completely.
 EXAMPLES
For each of the following problems, draw a properly labelled illustration ( if possible) then solve
the problem.

1. Divide 120 into two parts such that the product of one part with the square of the other is a
maximum. Find the numbers.
Solution: Let x – be one part of 120
(120- x) – be the other part
P - the product of one part and the square of the other
where 𝑃 = 𝑥 120 − 𝑥 2 (P is to be maximized.)
𝑑𝑃
Maximum P is observed at x-value where is 0 or ∞.
𝑑𝑥
2 𝑑𝑃
Given that 𝑃 = 𝑥 120 − 𝑥 then = 𝑥 ∗ 2 120 − 𝑥 −1 + (120 − 𝑥)2
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑃
= 120 − 𝑥 −2𝑥 + 120 − 𝑥 = (120 − 𝑥)(120 − 3𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑃
To locate the critical point, set = 120 − 𝑥 120 − 3𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥
𝑥 = 120 , 40
Test for optimality using the first derivative test as shown in the table.
Recall
𝑑𝑃
= 120 − 𝑥 120 − 3𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑑2 𝑃
= 120 − 𝑥 −3 + 120 − 3𝑥 −1
𝑑𝑥 2
= −360 + 3𝑥 − 120 + 3𝑥 = 6𝑥 − 480 = 6( 𝑥 − 80)
Thus:
X-value Test value dP/dx 𝒅𝟐 𝑷 Conclusion
𝒅𝒙𝟐
X< 40 30 + - Increasing function;
concave downward
X = 40 0 - Critical point: Maximum
40 < x < 120 50 - - Decreasing function;
concave downward
X = 120 0 + Critical point; Minimum
X > 120 125 + + Increasing function;
concave upward

The two parts of 120 that maximizes P are x= 40 , 80.

 2. Using a piece of cardboard 20inches by 15inches, an open top rectangular box is to be made by
cutting equal squares out of the corners and turning up the sides. Find the volume of the largest
box that can be made this way.

Solution:
Given:
20
x

14
x

20-2x
x
14-2x
Volume of a rectangular prism, V = (base area)(height) = (20-2x)(14-2x)x
𝑉 = 280𝑥 − 68𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 3
𝑑𝑉
The box is largest when its volume is maximum; observed at x value where 𝑑𝑥 = 0.
𝑑𝑉
𝑑𝑥
= 280 − 136𝑥 + 12𝑥 2 = 4 70 − 34𝑥 + 3𝑥 2 = 0
34± (−34)2 −4 3 70 34± 316 34±2 79 2.7
17± 79
𝑥= = = = = ቊ
2(3) 6 6 3 8.6
Only the value of 2.7 is tested for optimality since the other value 8.6 returns a 2x value greater than 14.
 Using the first derivative test to determine whether the volume is maximum at x = 2.7, the
results are shown in the given table:

X value X< 2.7 X> 2.7

Test value 0 3
dV/dx + -
Conclusion Since dV/dx changes from + to - left to right of
x = 2.7 then volume is maximum at x = 2.7.
 3. Find the area of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed in a circle of radius 10
inches.
Solution:
A rectangle inscribed in a circle has its vertices on the circle ( refer to the figure). It is largest when its area
is maximum. Let:
R – radius of the circle
2x – width of the rectangle
2x
2y – height of the rectangle
A – area of the rectangle
where A = ( width) (height) = ( 2x)(2y) = 4xy
From the figure 𝑅2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ( applying the Pythagorean Theorem) R R y
Hence, 𝐴 = 4𝑥 𝑅2 − 𝑥 2 = 4𝑥 100 − 𝑥 2 . 2y
Recall: Area A is maximum at c where dA/dx =0 and dA/dx changes sign
from + to – left to right of the value c.
𝑑𝐴 400 −8𝑥 2
Differentiating A with respect to x gives = ; and if dA/dx = 0 then
𝑑𝑥 100−𝑥 2
400 − 8𝑥 2 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = ±5 2. Since x is a dimension, it can not be negative. Consider 𝑥 = 5 2 x
and test for optimality of A.
X value Test value dA/dx Conclusion
𝑥<5 2 5 + Since dA/dx changes sign from + to – left to right
8 - of 𝑥 = 5 2 then A is maximum at 𝑥 = 5 2 where
𝑥>5 2
maximum Area ,A = 200 s. u.
 4. Find the altitude of the largest circular cylinder that can be inscribed in a circular
cone of radius R=5” and height H=10”.
Solution:
Given: A circular cone with base radius, R, 5 inches and height, H ,
Fig. 1 10-h
10 inches. Let r – be the base radius of inscribed circular cylinder
and h- be the height. The cross-section of the solid through its axis is H=10”
as shown in the figure 2.
The largest circular cylinder that can be inscribed in the cone is the h
cylinder with largest volume. Hence, the volume of the cylinder is to
be maximized.
Volume of cylinder =( Base area ) (altitude)
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ r
To express the volume function in terms of a single variable r or h, R=5”
a relationship between r and h must be established. Refer to fig. 2,
by ratio and proportion, the relationship between r and h is
Fig. 2
established as follows: 10-h
𝐻 10−ℎ H=10
=
𝑅 𝑟 h
𝑅
𝑟= 10 −ℎ
𝐻
𝑅 2 r
Thus, 𝑉= 𝜋 10 − ℎ ℎ R
𝐻
 With R = 5 inches and H = 10 inches then the volume V is given by:
5 2 25𝜋 2
𝑉= 𝜋 10 − ℎ ℎ = ℎ 10 − ℎ
10 100
Differentiating V with respect to h results to:
𝑑𝑉 25𝜋
= 10 − ℎ 2 + ℎ(2)(10 − ℎ)(−1) Fig. 1 10-h
𝑑ℎ 100
𝑑𝑉 25𝜋
= 10 − ℎ 10 − ℎ −ℎ 2
𝑑ℎ 100
𝑑𝑉 25𝜋 H=10”
= 10 − ℎ 10 − 3ℎ
𝑑ℎ 100 h
𝑑𝑉
At the maximum value of V, = 0;
𝑑ℎ
25𝜋
ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 10 − ℎ 10 − 3ℎ = 0
100
10
h = 10 , r
3
Verify whether V is maximum or minimum at h =10 or h = 10/3. R=5”
Using the first derivative test, the results are as follows:
Fig. 2
X-value h<10/3 h>10/3 h<10 h>10 10-h
H=10
Test value 3 4 9 11
h
dV/dh + - - +
r
Conclusion V is maximum at h = V is minimum at h = 10.
10/3 inches. R
 5. A rectangular field with 2000 square meters of area is to be enclosed and
divided into three lots by parallels to one of the sides. Determine the relative
dimensions of the field to make the amount of fencing a minimum.
Solution: Given the figure as labelled:
The function that needs to be minimized if the total length
of the boundaries and the divider. This is defined by the function,
F = 2L+4W
Expressing F function dependent on L or W only, use the relationship
2000 2000 W
A = 2000 = L * W 𝐿= 𝑜𝑟 𝑊 = .
𝑊 𝐿
2000 4000
Therefore, 𝐹 = 2 + 4𝑊 = + 4𝑊.
𝑊 𝑊
𝑑𝐹 𝑑𝐹 L to +
Minimum F will be observed at W-value where = 0 and changes sign from −
𝑑𝑊 𝑑𝑊
left to right of this W − value. Differentiating F with respect to W and equating the derivative to zero
results to:
𝑑𝐹 4000 2000
= − 2 + 4 = 0 −−→ 𝑊 2 = 1000 −−→ 𝑊 = 10 10 −−→ 𝐿 = = 20 10.
𝑑𝑊 𝑊 10 10
This results imply that the length is twice the width.
Verify whether the function F = 2L+4W is minimum at 𝑊 = 10 10 , using the first derivative test results
to: W-Value 𝑊 = 10 10 𝑊 = 10 10
Test value 30 35
dF/dW - +
Conclusion F is minimum at 𝑊 = 10 10

Therefore, for the amount of fencing to be minimum the length is twice the width
 REFERENCES

Calculus, Early Transcendental Functions, by Larson and Edwards

Calculus, Early Transcendentals, by Anton, Bivens and Davis
University Calculus, Early Transcendentals 2nd ed, by Hass, Weir
and Thomas
Differential and Integral Calculus by Love and Rainville