Department of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering
Bicol University
Legazpi City

MODULE IN MATH 11 – CALCULUS 1

LESSON 9 – APPLICATION OF THE DERIVATIVES: OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS

Lecturer: Engr. Junel B. Borbo

Associate Professor, Bicol University Chemical Engineering Department

Lecture Objectives
1. Make use of the concept of differentiation and maxima/minima to solve optimization problems;
2. Solve engineering problems on optimization.

Notes:
• In a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), we can determine the maximum or minimum point by setting 𝑦 ′ = 0
• We can extend this to problems, in which engineering is based upon: we determine the
optimum condition of a system or most economical proportions. This is also done by setting the
derivative of the equation describing the system to zero.
• Two solutions are presented:
1. The equation is transformed into an equation of only 1 independent variable;
2. Two equations are implicitly differentiated, and equating them the result differentials.
• The derivative of a constant is always zero, so statements such as “of given area”, “ of fixed
height or base,” or any related statements

PROBLEMS
1. The sum of 2 numbers is 𝑘. Find the minimum value of the sum of their squares.
Solution 1: Let 𝑥 = 1𝑠𝑡 𝑛𝑜, 𝑦 = 2nd no. , 𝑆 = sum of their squares
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑘; 𝑆 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2
𝑆 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 2 + (𝑘 − 𝑥)2
𝑑𝑆
= 2𝑥 + 2(𝑘 − 𝑥)(−1) = 0
𝑑𝑥
2𝑥 + 2(𝑘 − 𝑥)(−1) = 0
𝑥 − (𝑘 − 𝑥) = 0
𝑘
𝑘 − 𝑥 = 𝑥; 𝑥 =
2
𝑘
𝑦 =𝑘−𝑥 =
2
2
𝑘 𝑘 2 𝒌𝟐
𝑆 =( ) +( ) =
2 2 𝟐
Solution 2:
𝑥+𝑦 =𝑘
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
1+ = 0; = −1
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑆 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 00

1|Page
 𝑑𝑦 𝑥
= − = −1; 𝑥 = 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 𝑦
𝒌
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑥 = 𝑘; 𝒙 = =𝒚
𝟐
2. A rectangular field of given area is to be fenced off along the bank of a river. If no fence is
needed along the bank of the river, what shape of the rectangle required the least amount of
fence?
𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦; 𝑃 = 2𝑥 + 𝑦
Solution 1:
𝐴
𝑃 = 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 2𝑥 +
𝑥
𝑑𝑃 𝐴
=2− 2 =0
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
𝐴 = 2𝑥 2
𝐴 = 2𝑥 2 = 𝑥
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙
The length must be twice the width!

Solution 2:
𝑃 = 2𝑥 + 𝑦
𝑑𝑃 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
=2+ = 0; = −2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦
𝑑𝐴 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑦
=0=𝑥 + 𝑦; = − = −2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙
3. A trapezoidal gutter is to be made from a strip of tin by bending up the edges. If the cross
section has form in the figure below, what width across the top gives the maximum carrying
capacity?

Solution:

Note that maximizing the area will also maximize the volume (carrying capacity).
1
𝐴 = (2𝑥 + 𝑎 + 𝑎)√𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 = (𝑥 + 𝑎)√𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
2
𝑑𝐴 𝑥
= (𝑥 + 𝑎) (− ) + √𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 (1) = 0
𝑑𝑥 √𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
2|Page
 𝑥
(𝑥 + 𝑎) ( ) = √𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
√𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑎2 − 𝑥 2
2𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑎2 = 0
−𝑎 ± √𝑎2 + 4(2)𝑎2 −𝑎 ± 3𝑎
𝑥= =
4 4
−𝑎 − 3𝑎
𝑥1 = = −𝑎 (𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠)
4
−𝑎 + 3𝑎 1
𝑥2 = = 𝑎
4 2
𝑤 = width at the top = 2𝑥 + 𝑎 = 𝟐𝒂
4. Find the altitude of the largest circular cylinder that can be inscribed in a circular cone of radius 𝑟
and height ℎ.

The volume of the cylinder is to be maximized.

Note that the dimensions of cone are given, thus 𝑟 and ℎ are constant
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑥 2 𝑦
Similar triangles:
𝑟 𝑥 𝑟
= ; 𝑥 = (ℎ − 𝑦)
ℎ ℎ−𝑦 ℎ
𝑟 2
𝑉 = 𝜋 ( ) 𝑦(ℎ − 𝑦)2
ℎ
𝑑𝑉 𝑟2
= 𝜋 ( 2 ) [𝑦(2)(ℎ − 𝑦)(−1) + (ℎ − 𝑦)2 (1)] = 0
𝑑𝑦 ℎ
2𝑦(ℎ − 𝑦) = (ℎ − 𝑦)2
2ℎ𝑦 − 2𝑦 2 = ℎ2 − 2ℎ𝑦 + 𝑦 2
4ℎ𝑦 − 3𝑦 2 = ℎ2
3𝑦 2 − 4ℎ𝑦 + ℎ2 = 0
4ℎ ± √16ℎ2 − 4(3)(ℎ2 ) 4ℎ ± 2ℎ 1
𝑦= = = ℎ, ℎ
6 6 3
𝟏
𝒚= 𝒉
𝟑
5. Find the most economical proportion of a quart can.
Solution:
𝑉 = 1 quart
Cans are of circular cylinder in shape.
Relationship of height to diameter

3|Page
 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ = 1
𝑑𝑉 𝑑ℎ
= 𝜋 [𝑟 2 + 2𝑟ℎ]] = 0
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝑑ℎ 2ℎ
=−
𝑑𝑟 𝑟
𝑆 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ + 2𝜋𝑟 2
𝑑𝑆 𝑑ℎ
= 2𝜋 [𝑟 + ℎ] + 4𝜋𝑟 = 0
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝑑ℎ ℎ + 2𝑟
=−
𝑑𝑟 𝑟
2ℎ ℎ + 2𝑟
=
𝑟 𝑟
ℎ = 2𝑟
𝐷=ℎ
6. Two posts, one 8 ft high and the other 12 ft high, stands 15 ft. apart. They are to be stayed by
wires attached to a single stale at ground level, the wires running to the tops of the posts.
Where should the stake be placed, to use the least amount of wire?
Solution:

Let 𝑥- the distance of the stake from the higher post; 𝑆=length of wire to be used
𝑆 = √𝑥 2 + 144 + √(15 − 𝑥)2 + 64
𝑑𝑆 𝑥 𝑥 − 15
= + =0
𝑑𝑥 √𝑥 + 144 √(15 − 𝑥)2 + 64
2

15 − 𝑥 𝑥
=
√(15 − 𝑥)2 + 64 √𝑥 2 + 144
(15 − 𝑥)2 (𝑥 2 + 144) = 𝑥 2 [(15 − 𝑥)2 + 64]
𝒙 = 𝟗 𝒇𝒕
The stake should be placed 9ft from the taller post.
7. Find the volume of the largest box that can be made by cutting equal squares out of the corners
of a piece of cardboard of dimensions 15 in. by 24 in., and then turning up the edges
Solution:

4|Page
 Let 𝑥=the length of side of the square to be cut out
𝑉 = 𝑥(15 − 2𝑥)(24 − 2𝑥) = (15𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 )(24 − 2𝑥)
𝑑𝑉
= (15𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 )(−2) + (24 − 2𝑥)(15 − 4𝑥) = 0
𝑑𝑥
−15𝑥 + 2𝑥 2 + (12 − 𝑥)(15 − 4𝑥) = 0
−15𝑥 + 2𝑥 2 + 180 − 63𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 = 0
6𝑥 2 − 78𝑥 + 180 = 0
𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 + 30 = 0
𝑥 = 10, 3
𝑉 = 3(15 − 6)(24 − 6) = 𝟒𝟖𝟔 𝒄𝒖. 𝒊𝒏.
8. If the hypotenuse of a right triangle is given, show that the area is a maximum when the triangle
is isosceles.
Solution:
1
𝐴 = 𝑎𝑏
2
𝑑𝐴 1 𝑑𝑏
= (𝑎 + 𝑏) = 0
𝑑𝑎 2 𝑑𝑎
𝑑𝑏 𝑏
=−
𝑑𝑎 𝑎
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
𝑑𝑏
0 = 2𝑎 + 2𝑏
𝑑𝑎
𝑑𝑏 𝑎
=−
𝑑𝑎 𝑏
𝑏 𝑎
=
𝑎 𝑏
𝑏=𝑎
𝒂 = 𝒃, ∴ 𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔
9. A cylindrical tin boiler, open at the top, has a copper bottom. If sheet copper is 𝑚 times as
expensive as tin, per unit area, find the most economical proportion.
Solution:
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
𝑑𝑉 𝑑ℎ 𝑑ℎ 2ℎ
= 𝜋 (𝑟 2 + 2ℎ𝑟) = 0; =−
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑟
𝐶 = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ + 𝜋𝑚𝑟 2
𝑑𝐶 𝑑ℎ
= 2𝜋 (𝑟 + ℎ) + 2𝜋𝑚𝑟 = 0
𝑑𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝑑ℎ 𝑚𝑟 + ℎ 2ℎ
=− =−
𝑑𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑚𝑟 + ℎ = 2ℎ
𝒉 = 𝒎𝒓
10. Find the shortest distance from (5,0) to 2𝑦 2 = 𝑥 3 .
Solution:
Let (𝑥, 𝑦) be the point nearest to (0,5)
1
𝑑 = √(𝑥 − 5)2 + 𝑦 2 → 𝑑2 = (𝑥 − 5)2 + 𝑥 3
2
𝑑𝑑 3 2
2𝑑 = 2(𝑥 − 5)(1) + 𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥 2
3 2
𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 10 = 0
2
3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 20 = 0
5|Page
 10
𝑥 = 2, −
3
1 1
𝑑 = √(𝑥 − 5)2 + 𝑥 3 = √(2 − 5)2 + (2)3 = √𝟏𝟑
2 2
11. The stiffness of a rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth and the cube of the depth.
Find the shape of the stiffest beam that can be cut from a log of a given size.
Solution:
Let 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑡ℎ = 𝑏, 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ = 𝑑
𝑆 = 𝑘𝑏𝑑3
𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑 𝑑3 𝑑
= 𝑘 (3𝑏𝑑2 + 𝑑 3 ) = 0; =− 2
=−
𝑑𝑏 𝑑𝑏 𝑑𝑏 3𝑏𝑑 3𝑏
𝑏2 + 𝑑2 = 𝑐 2
𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑 𝑏 𝑑
2𝑏 + 2𝑑 = 0; = − = − ; 𝑑2 = 3𝑏 2 ; 𝒅 = 𝒃√𝟑
𝑑𝑏 𝑑𝑏 𝑑 3𝑏

12. Find the shape of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed in a given circle
Solution:
𝑙
sin 𝑥 = ; 𝑙 = 𝑎 sin 𝑥
𝑎
𝑤
cos 𝑥 = ; 𝑤 = 𝑎 cos 𝑥
𝑎
𝐴 = 4𝑙𝑤 = 4(𝑎 sin 𝑥)(𝑎 cos 𝑥)
𝐴 = 4𝑎2 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
𝑑𝐴
= 4𝑎2 [sin 𝑥 (− sin 𝑥) + cos 𝑥 (cos 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝐴
To get maximum area, set 𝑑𝑥 = 0
4𝑎2 [sin 𝑥 (− sin 𝑥) + cos 𝑥 (cos 𝑥) = 0
cos2 𝑥 − sin2 𝑥 = cos 2𝑥 = 0
2𝑥 = arccos 0 = 90°; 𝑥 = 45°
Side 𝑎 sin 45° = Side 𝑎 cos 45°
∴ 𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒
13. A man in a rowboat 6 mi from the shore desires to reach a point on the shore at a distance of 10
mi. from his present position. If he can walk 4 mph and row 2 mph, in what direction should he
row in order to reach his destination in the shortest possible time?
Given:

Solution:
𝑦
tan 𝑥 = ; 𝑦 = 6 tan 𝑥
6

6|Page
 6
cos 𝑥 = ; 𝑆 = 6 sec 𝑥
𝑆
𝑑 𝑑
𝑣 = ;𝑡 =
𝑡 𝑣
𝑆 10 − 𝑦 6 sec 𝑥 10 − 6 tan 𝑥
shortest time, 𝑡 = 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑤 + 𝑡𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘 = + = +
2 4 2 4
𝑑𝑡 3
= 3 sec 𝑥 tan 𝑥 − sec 2 𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥 2
1 1
tan 𝑥 = sec 𝑥 → sin 𝑥 = ; 𝑥 = 30°
2 2
Therefore, he should row 30° east with respect to the north.
14. A gutter having a triangular cross-section is to be made by bending a strip of tin in the middle.
Find the angle between the sides when the carrying capacity is a maximum.
Given:

Solution:
Length of tin: 𝐿; bent at the middle
Base:
𝑥 𝑏 𝐿 𝑥 𝑥
sin = ; 𝑏 = sin ; Total base = 2𝑏 = 𝐿 sin
2 𝐿 2 2 2
2
Height:
𝑥 ℎ 𝐿 𝑥
cos = ; ℎ = cos
2 𝐿 2 2
2
𝑥 𝐿 𝑥 𝐿2
𝐴 = 2 ∙ (𝐿 sin ) ( cos ) = sin 𝑥
2 2 2 2
𝑑𝐴 𝐿2
= cos 𝑥 = 0; cos 𝑥 = 0; 𝑥 = 90°
𝑑𝑥 2
15. A sphere of radius 𝑎 is dropped into a conical vessel full of water. Find the altitude of the
smallest cone that will permit the sphere to be entirely submerged.

7|Page
 Solution:
Height of cone: ℎ; radius of sphere: 𝑎
1
𝑉𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑒 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
3
𝐻 ℎ−𝑎
csc 𝑥 = = → ℎ = 𝑎 csc 𝑥 + 𝑎 = 𝑎(1 + csc 𝑥)
𝑂 𝑎
𝑟
tan 𝑥 = ; 𝑟 = ℎ tan 𝑥 = 𝑎 tan 𝑥 (1 + csc 𝑥)
ℎ
1 2 1
𝑉𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑒 = 𝜋𝑟 ℎ = 𝑎2 𝜋 tan2 𝑥 (1 + csc 𝑥)2 𝑎(1 + csc 𝑥)
3 3
1 3
𝑉𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑒 = 𝜋𝑎 tan2 𝑥 (1 + csc 𝑥)3
3
𝑑𝑉 1 3
= 𝜋𝑎 [tan2 𝑥 (3)(1 + csc 𝑥)2 (− csc 𝑥 cot 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 3
+ (1 + csc 𝑥)3 (2 tan 𝑥 sec 2 𝑥)] = 0
(1 + csc 𝑥) (2 tan 𝑥 sec 2 𝑥) = 3 tan2 𝑥 csc 𝑥 cot 𝑥 (1 + csc 𝑥)2
3

2(1 + csc 𝑥) sec 2 𝑥 = 3 csc 𝑥

1 1 1 + sin 𝑥 1 3
2 (1 + )( 2 ) = 2( )( 2 ) =
sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥
2 + 2 sin 𝑥 = 3(1 − sin2 𝑥) = 3 − 3 sin2 𝑥
3 sin2 𝑥 + 2 sin 𝑥 − 1 = 0
1
(3 sin 𝑥 − 1)(sin 𝑥 + 1) = 0 → sin 𝑥 = , −1(absurd)
3
Since height is the required:
1 1
ℎ = 𝑎(1 + csc 𝑥) = 𝑎 (1 + ) = 𝑎 (1 + ) = 4𝑎
sin 𝑥 1
3
∴ the height of the cone should be 4𝑥 the diameter of the sphere to completely submerge the sphere

8|Page