4 Applications of Derivatives in

Commerce and Economics

INTRODUCTION
Quantitative techniques and mathematical models are now being increasingly used in
business and economic problems. Differential calculus is used while determining the rate of
change of a given function (dependent variable) due to change in one of the independent
variables. Integration is the inverse of differentiation and it involves finding a function
whose rate of change is given.
In this chapter, we shall start with the a few basic concepts of economics—fixed and
variable cost, average cost, revenue, profit etc., and then go on to marginal functions
(marginal cost and marginal revenue) using first derivative. We shall use second derivatives
to find minimum costs and maximum revenue or maximum profit.

4.1 FIXED AND VARIABLE COST; AVERAGE COST

The cost of production of a commodity depends upon a number of factors—size of plant,
level of output, prices of raw materials, technology etc.
C = f (S, O, P, T, …)
However, in this chapter, we will study cost as a function of level of output only. Thus,
the total cost of producing x units of a commodity is written as
TC = f (x)
The total cost consists of two components—fixed costs and variable costs.
Fixed Costs are those which are incurred regardless of the level of production—like
interest, rent, wages of permanent staff etc. Thus total fixed cost,
TFC = TC when x = 0
Fixed cost does not change whether there is any increase or decrease in level of
production.
Variable costs are those which vary with output, for example, raw materials and wages
of casual labour. Thus,
Total Cost = Total Fixed Cost + Total Variable Cost
TC = TFC + TVC
Note that TFC is constant while TVC starts from zero at zero output and goes up. TC
is sum of TFC and TVC. In actual practice, the TVC is usually not a straight line. First it
increases at a decreasing rate, goes through an inflexion point and then increases at an
increasing rate. This point will become clearer when we study marginal concepts.
APPLICATIONS OF DERIVATIVES IN COMMERCE AND ECONOMICS C-1069

Cost Cost

TC
TVC

TC
TVC
Inflexion point

TFC TFC
x x
Output Output

(i) (ii)

Average cost is obtained by dividing the cost by level of output.

C f (x)
Thus, C = f (x) ⇒ Average cost AC = =
x x
Also TC = TFC + TVC
TC TFC TVC
⇒ = +
x x x
⇒ AC = AFC + AVC
Thus, Average Cost = Average Fixed Cost + Average Variable Cost
In case of constant variable cost, the average cost curve is shown in figure (i) below.
However, usually in real life, the economics of scale work only up to a point and the cost
of producing each new unit again starts rising. In this case, the average cost curve is as
shown in figure (ii) below.
Cost Cost

AC

AC
x x
Output Output

(i) (i)

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example 1. For manufacturing a certain item, the fixed cost is  6000 and the cost of
producing each unit is  20.
(i) What is the cost function ?
(ii) What is the total cost and average cost of producing 15 units ?
(iii) What is the total cost and average cost of producing 100 units ?
Solution. (i) Total fixed cost =  6000,
Variable cost of producing one unit =  20
∴ Total cost, TC =  (6000 + 20x), where x is the number of units produced.
(ii) Total cost of producing 15 units = TC|x = 15
=  (6000 + 20.15) =  6300
6300
∴ Average cost of producing 15 units =  =  420.
15
C-1070 UNDERSTANDING ISC MATHEMATICS - XII

(iii) Total cost of producing 100 units =  (6000 + 20.100) =  8000

8000
∴ Average cost of producing 100 units =  =  80.
100

Example 2. The cost function for a certain commodity is

1 2
C (x) = 3 + 2x – x
4
Write the various cost components (TC, TFC, TVC, AC, AFC, AVC) when 4 items are
produced. Verify your result.
1 2
Solution. Total cost TC or C (x) = 3 + 2x – x
4
Total fixed cost, TFC = C (x)|x = 0 = 3
1 2
Total variable cost, TVC = 2x – x
4
C(x ) 3 1
Average cost, AC = = +2– x
x x 4
TFC 3
Average fixed cost, AFC = =
x x
TVC 1
Average variable cost, AVC = =2– x
x 4
When x = 4, we get
1 2
Total Cost = C(4) = 3 + 2 . 4 – .4 = 7
4
Total fixed cost TFC = 3
1 2
Total variable cost TVC = 2.4 – .4 = 4
4
We see that TC = TFC + TVC
3 1 3
Average Cost AC = + 2 – .4 = 1
4 4 4
3
Average fixed cost AFC =
4
1
Average variable cost AVC = 2 – .4 = 1
4
We see that AC = AFC + AVC.
Example 3. It is known that cost of producing 100 units of a commodity is  250 and cost of
producing 200 units is  300. Assuming that AVC is constant, find the cost function.
Solution. Let the total fixed cost TFC be a.
Let AVC = constant = b
Then TVC = (AVC) x = bx
∴ TC = TFC + TVC = a + bx
Given that when x = 100, TC =  250 and when x = 200, TC =  300
∴ a + 100 b = 250 …(i)
a + 200 b = 300 …(ii)
Subtracting (i) from (ii),
1
100 b = 50 ⇒ b=
2
Putting this value of b in (i),
1
a + 100 . = 250 ⇒ a = 200
2
1
Hence, the cost function is C (x) = 200 + x.
2
APPLICATIONS OF DERIVATIVES IN COMMERCE AND ECONOMICS C-1071

EXERCISE 4.1
1. For manufacturing a certain item, the fixed cost is  6500 and the cost of producing
each unit is  12·50.
(i) What is the cost function ? Draw a graph, clearly indicating TC, TFC and TVC.
(ii) What is the total cost of producing 75 items ?
(iii) What is the average cost of producing 400 items ?
2. The cost function for a certain commodity is
1 2
C (x) = 12 + 3x – x
3
Write down the total cost, fixed cost, variable cost and average cost when 3 units are
produced.
3. Cost of producing 75 units of a commodity is  275 and cost of producing 150 units
is  300. Assuming that TVC is linear, find the
(i) cost function.
(ii) average total cost of producing 75, 150, 225 units respectively.
(iii) average fixed cost of producing 75, 150, 225 units respectively.
(iv) average variable cost of producing 75, 150, 225 units respectively.
4. The total cost of producing and marketing x units of commodity is given by
C = 2x + e x + 5e
Find (i) the fixed cost (ii) the variable cost
(iii) total cost of producing 5 units
(iv) average cost of producing 5 units.

4.2 DEMAND FUNCTION; REVENUE AND PROFIT FUNCTIONS

4.2.1 Demand function
Various economic studies show that the quantity demanded of a commodity depends upon
many factors, viz., price of the commodity, consumer’s income, taste of the consumer, price of
other related commodities etc. To simplify things, we will consider the relationship between
demand and price of the commodity only, assuming that all other factors remain constant.
The price per unit and the quantity demanded at that price are usually related
inversely—higher the price, lesser is the quantity demanded—or, higher the quantity
demanded, lower is the price.
Demand function x = f (p)
However, by tradition, price p is shown against Price, p
demand x.
Thus, p = f (x)
Remarks
1. If the demand of the item depends upon the price
of the item, then the demand function is given by
x = f (p). For example, x = 70 + 3p where p is the
price per unit and the demand of the item is Demand, x
x units.
2. If the price of the item depends upon the demand of the item, then the demand
function is given by p = f (x). For example, p = 30 – 5x + 2x2 where x units is the
demand of the item and p is the price per unit.
3. From above remarks, it follows that any relation between x and p is called a demand
function. We can make x as the subject of the relation or p as the subject of the
relation.
C-1072 UNDERSTANDING ISC MATHEMATICS - XII

4.2.2 Revenue function

Revenue means the amount received by a company by selling a certain number of units of
a commodity. Let p be the price per unit and x be the number of units sold. Then total
revenue
R or R(x) = p . x
If price p is constant, then R(x) is obviously a straight line. If price p varies with demand
x, then p = f (x) so that
R or R (x) = (demand) . (price) = x f (x)
The average revenue or revenue per unit is given by
R px
AR = = =p
x x
Thus, average revenue is the same as price per unit.

4.2.3 Profit function

The profit function P(x) or π (x) of producing, marketing and selling x units of a commodity
is
P(x) or π (x) = R(x) – C(x)
where R(x) is the revenue function and C(x) is the cost function.
P( x ) R( x ) C( x )
The average profit is = –
x x x
Thus, average profit = average revenue – average cost.
Imposition of taxes reduces profit margins; subsidies reduce costs and hence increase
profit margins.

4.3 BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS

Usually, as the companies incur capital costs (fixed costs), they are in loss when the
production/sale is low. However, as the production/sale increases, the average cost comes
down, and beyond a certain point, the company starts making profit. This leads us to
breakeven point analysis.
The breakeven point is the level of production where the revenue from sales is equal to
the total cost of production. At this point, the company makes neither profits nor losses.
Thus, at breakeven point,
R(x) = C(x)
i.e. R(x) – C(x) = 0
i.e. P(x) = 0
Any of these forms may be used to determine the breakeven point. There may be zero,
one or more than one breakeven points.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Example 1. (i) A chocolate bar sells for  20. What is the total revenue and average revenue
by selling 30 bars ?
(ii) The demand function for T.V. sets is p = 20000 – 100 x (rupees). Determine the total
revenue and average revenue by selling 20 sets.
Solution. (i) Price p =  20
Total revenue by selling 30 bars =  (30 × 20) =  600
R 600
Average revenue by selling 30 bars = = =  20
x 30
APPLICATIONS OF DERIVATIVES IN COMMERCE AND ECONOMICS C-1073

(ii) Price p =  (20000 – 100 x) per item

∴ Total revenue by selling x sets = px =  (20000 – 100 x) x
∴ Total revenue by selling 20 sets =  (20000 – 100.20) × 20
=  (18000 × 20) =  360000
360000
Average revenue by selling 20 items =  =  18000.
20

Example 2. The price of a commodity is fixed at  55 and its cost function is C(x) = 30x + 250.
(i) Determine the breakeven point.
(ii) What is the profit when 12 items are sold ?
R, C
(iii) What is the profit when 5 items are sold ?
Breakeven Gain
Solution. (i) Here revenue R(x) 800
point
R(x)
700 C(x)
= (price) (demand) = 55x, 600
TFC
Cost C(x) = 30x + 250 500 Loss (Fixed
400
∴ Profit function 300
cost line)

P(x) = R(x) – C(x) 200

100
= 55x – (30x + 250)
= 25x – 250 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 x

To determine the breakeven point, we have P(x) = 0 Output

⇒ 25x – 250 = 0 ⇒ x = 10
Hence, the breakeven point is x = 10. At this level of production,
revenue = cost =  550 and profit = 0.
(ii) When 12 items are produced,
Profit =  (25.12 – 250) =  (300 – 250) =  50
Thus, there is a profit of  50 when 12 items are produced and sold.
(iii) When 5 items are sold,
Profit =  (25.5 – 250) =  (125 – 250) = –  125
The minus sign shows that there is a loss.
Thus, there is a loss of  125 when only 5 items are produced and sold.
Example 3. A manufacturer finds that selling price of a product is  25 while cost is
C(x) = 30x + 120. What would you advise him ?
Solution. Here revenue R(x) = (price) (demand) = 25x
Cost C(x) = 30x + 120
∴ Profit P(x) = R(x) – C(x) = 25x – (30x + 120) = – 5x – 120
We can see that profit is always negative, regardless of the level of production.
Alternatively, to determine breakeven point, we have P(x) = 0
⇒ – 5x – 120 = 0 ⇒ x = – 24
As the number of units ≥ 0, we see that there is no breakeven point.
As the project is doomed from the start, the businessmen should not take up this project.
Example 4. The fixed cost of a new product is  18000 and the variable cost per unit is  550.
If the demand function is p (x) = 4000 – 150x, find the breakeven values. (I.S.C. 2007)
Solution. Let x units of the product be produced and sold.
As the variable cost per units is  550,
∴ the variable cost of producing x units =  550x.
As the fixed cost is  18000,
∴ total cost of producing x units, C (x) =  (18000 + 550x).
Given demand function is p (x) = 4000 – 150x i.e. the selling price per unit is
 (4000 – 150x).
C-1074 UNDERSTANDING ISC MATHEMATICS - XII

∴ Total revenue on selling x units,

R (x) = (price per unit) (number of units sold)
=  (4000 – 150x) x.
At breakeven values, C (x) = R (x)
⇒ 18000 + 550x = (4000 – 150x) x
⇒ 150x2 – 4000x + 550x + 18000 = 0
⇒ 150x2 – 3450x + 18000 = 0
⇒ x2 – 23x + 120 = 0
⇒ (x – 8) (x – 15) = 0
⇒ x = 8, 15.
Hence, the breakeven values are x = 8 and x = 15.
Example 5. The total cost and the total revenue of a company that produces and sells x units
of particular product are respectively
C(x) = 5x + 350 and R(x) = 50x – x2.
Find (i) the breakeven values (ii) the values of x that produce a profit
(iii) the values of x that result in a loss.
Solution. (i) At breakeven values, R(x) = C(x)
⇒ 50x – x2 = 5x + 350 ⇒ x2 – 45x + 350 = 0
⇒ (x – 10) (x – 35) = 0 ⇒ x = 10 or 35
Hence, the breakeven values are x = 10 and x = 35.
(ii) For profit, R(x) > C(x) ⇒ 50x – x2 > 5x + 350
⇒ x2 – 45x + 350 < 0 ⇒ (x – 10) (x – 35) < 0
⇒ 10 < x < 35
(iii) From (i) and (ii) we see that losses occur when x < 10 or x > 35.
Alternatively, losses occur when R(x) < C(x)
⇒ 50x – x2 < 5x + 350 ⇒ x2 – 45x + 350 > 0
⇒ (x – 10) (x – 35) > 0 ⇒ x < 10 or x > 35.
Example 6. A company produces a commodity with  24000 fixed cost. The variable cost is
estimated to be 25% of the total revenue recovered on selling the product at a rate of  8 per unit.
Find the following :
(i) Cost function (ii) Revenue function (iii) Break-even point. (I.S.C. 2013)
Solution. Let x units of the product be produced and sold. As the selling price of one
unit is  8, so the total revenue on selling x units =  8x.
(i) Since the variable cost is 25% of total revenue recovered,

so the variable cost = 25% of  8x =  ⎛⎜ × 8x⎞⎟ =  2x.

25
⎝ 100 ⎠
Fixed cost of the company is  24000.
∴ Cost function (in ) = C(x) = 2x + 24000.
(ii) Revenue function (in ) = R(x) = 8x.
(iii) At break-even points, R(x) = C(x)
⇒ 8x = 2x + 24000 ⇒ 6x = 24000 ⇒ x = 4000.
Hence, break-even point is x = 4000.
Example 7. A company is selling a certain product. The demand function for the product is
linear. The company can sell 2000 units when the price is  8 per unit and it can sell 3000 units
when the price is  4 per unit. Determine :
(i) the demand function (ii) the total revenue function. (I.S.C. 2005)
C-1086 UNDERSTANDING ISC MATHEMATICS - XII

ANSWERS

EXERCISE 4.1
1. (i) C (x) = 6500 + 12·50x (ii)  7437·50 (iii)  28·75.
2. TC =  18, AC =  6.
1
3. (i) C (x) = 250 + x (ii)  3·67,  2,  1·44
3
(iii)  3·33,  1·67,  1·11 (iv)  0·33,  0·33,  0·33.
4. (i) FC = 5 e (ii) VC = 2x + e x
e5
(iii) TC|x = 5 = 10 + e 5 + 5 e (iv) AC|x = 5 = 2 + + e.
5

EXERCISE 4.2
1. (i) P(x) = 10x – 150; breakeven point is x = 15
(ii) P(x) = – 5x – 150; no breakeven point
(iii) P(x) = 56x – 4x2 – 180; breakeven at x = 5, 9
(iv) P(x) = 650x – 5x2 – 20000; breakeven at x = 50, 80.
2. (i) C(x) = 15000 + 30x (ii) R(x) = 45x (iii) x = 1000.
3. x = 5, 9.
4. (i) C(x) = 150000 + 150x (ii) R(x) = 350x
(iii) P(x) = 200x – 150000 (iv) x = 750.
5. P(x) = 67x – 40200, breakeven point is 600.
6. (i) R(x) = 6x (ii) C(x) = 4500 + 1·5x
(iii) P(x) = 4·5x – 4500 (iv) x = 1000
(v) 750 units.
7. (i) 579 (ii) 440 (iii)  3·15.
8. (i) P(x) = 4500x – 100x2 – 35000 (ii) x = 10, 35
(iii) x < 10 or x > 35.
9. Breakeven points are x = 40, 320. Thus, the company should produce minimum 40 units to
recover its cost.
10. 400 units; the company will always remain in profit if it produces and sells more than 400 units
of the product.
11. Breakeven points are x = 8, 1250. Hence, the company must sell at least 8 units to cover its costs.
12. (i) R(x) = 5x (ii) C = 3200 + 1·25x
(iii) x = 853·33 (iv) 640 units.
13. P(x) = 5x – 1200;  3800 profit;  1300 profit;  200 loss.
20 p
14. (i) C = (245 – 7p) (ii) R = (245 – 7p)
9 9
1 105
(iii) P = (p – 20) (245 – 7p) (iv) p = 20, x = .
9 9

EXERCISE 4.3
1200
1. (i) AC = + 20 + x (ii) MC = 20 + 2x
x
(iii) MC = 40 at x = 10; it indicates that  40 are needed to increase the production from 10 to
11 units
(iv)  41; it indicates exact amount needed to increase the production from 10 to 11 units.
1 2 2
2. (i) MC = x2 + 6x – 16 (ii) AC = x + 3x – 16 + .
3 x
3. (i) 16·5 (ii) 36.
x2 16
4. (i) x2 + 6x – 7 (ii) + 3x − 7 + 5. (i) x2 + 6x – 7
3 x
8. (i) Total cost = x2 + 5x + 6, marginal cost = 2x + 5 (ii) x > 6.
9. (i) MC = 3x2 – 48x + 600, AC = x2 – 24x + 600