Absolute Maxima and Minima

Problems
(MAT051 - Calculus I)
2nd Sem, A.Y. 2022-2023

JEAN M. CABARO, PhD

Mathematics Department
Mindanao State University Main Campus
Marawi City
[email protected]
Absolute Extrema, Extreme Value Theorem Application and
Optimization

In the previous chapter we were dealing with problems of finding the properties of
functions such as relative maximum and relative minimum values, intervals of
concavity, etc. We shall now complicate it further in which the first requirement
is to find the function itself before we can discuss its properties. First, we shal l
look at problems which seek to find the largest, or the most, or the least, or the
smallest, or the best, etc., of certain quantites. these problems are what we call
maxima and minima problems.
Helpful Steps in Solving Maxima and Minima Problems

1. Read and understand the problem. Draw a figure whenever possible.

2. Assign a letter to each of the quantities mentioned in the problem.
3. Choose the quantity which is to be maximized or minimized and express it as
a function of the other quantities by making use of the information in the
problem.
4. Apply the theory in the preceding section (e.g, find the critical values of the
function in Step 3. One of these values may correspond to the required value
in the problem.)
Optimization Problems
Example 1. Find the two positive numbers whose sum is 300 and whose
product is a maximum.
Solution: Let x and y be the two positive numbers and P be their product.
Problem: Find x and y so that the product P is maximum.
Then
P = xy ,
and the phrase "two positive numbers whose sum is 300" can be expressed
mathematically as x + y = 300. Consequently, we have
y = 300 − x
and P can be further expressed as a function of x alone given by

P(x ) = x (300 − x ) = 300x − x 2, where 0 < x < 300.

Goal: To find the maximum value of

P(x ) = 300x − x 2, 0 < x < 300.

To obtain this, we need to determine the critical numbers of P and then apply
the theorems in the previous section to get the desired value. Now,

PJ(x ) = 300 − 2x and PJ(x ) = 300 − 2x = 0 =⇒ x = 150.

Solving the second derivative we have PJJ(x ) = −2. Consequently,
PJJ(150) = −2 < 0, which means P has a relative maximum at x = 150.
Observe that P(150) = 300(150) − (150)2 = 45, 000 − 22, 500 = 22, 500.
Since P(0) = 0 = P(300), we say, P has its (absolute) maximum at x = 150.
Solving for y , we get y = 300 − 150 = 150.
Therefore, the desired numbers are x = 150 and y = 150 .
The maximum product is P = 22, 500.

The equation x + y = 300 is called the constraint or condition of the problem.

Example 2. Find the two positive numbers whose product is 750 √and for which
√
the sum of one and 10 times the other is a minimum. [Answer: 50 3 and 5 3]
Solution: Exercise.
Example 3. We have a piece of cardboard that is 50cm by 20cm and we are
going to cut out (squares) at each corners and fold up the sides to form a box.
Determine the height of the box that will give a maximum volume.
Solution:

20 2x
20cm
50 2x
x
Note that squares cut out in each corner has a side x . Moreover, this side x
becomes the height of the box to be formed. Then the volume (which is to be
maximized) of the box is given by

V = x (20
` ˛−¸ 2xx)(5̀0 ˛−¸ 2xx) = 1000x − 140x + 4x .
2 3

width length

Taking the derivative of V , we have V J(x ) = 1000 − 280x + 12x 2. Solving for
the critical numbers x of V :

1000 − 280x + 12x 2 = 0 =⇒ 3x 2 − 70x + 250 = 0

Example 4. We want to build a box whose base length is 3 times the base
width and the box will enclose 96 in 3. The cost of the material of the sides is 3
pesos per squared inches and the cost of the top and the bottom is 8 pesos per
squared inches. Determine the dimensions of the box that will minimize the cost.
Solution:

Note that the volume of the box is xyz = x (3x )z = 3x 2z = 96.

Now, the four (4) sides has total area 2xz + 2yz = 2xz + 2(3x )z = 8xz , whose
material cost 3 pesos per squared inches.
The top and the bottom has total area 2xy = 2x (3x ) = 6x 2, whose material
cost 8 pesos per squared inches.
Hence, a cost function may be written as follows:

C = 8xz (3) + 6x 2(8) = 24xz + 48x 2.

Since 3x 2z = 96, we have
96 32
z= 2 = x2 ;
3x

and substituting this to z in C expresses C as a function of x alone. That is,

32 (24)(32)
C (x ) = 24x + 48x 2 = + 48x 2 = (24)(32)x−1 + 48x 2.
x2 x
Taking the derivative of C (x ), we have

C J (x ) = −(24)(32)x−2 + 96x.

Equating C J (x ) to zero and solving for x yields

(24)(32)
−(24)(32)x−2 + 96x = 0 =⇒ 96x = (24)(32)x−2 =
x2
=⇒ 96x = (24)(32)
3

(24)(32) (24)(32)
=⇒ x 3 = = =8
96 3(32)
=⇒ x = 2.
The second derivative of C (x ) is C JJ(x ) = 2(24)(32)x− 3 + 96, and
2(24)(32)
C JJ(2) = 2(24)(32)(2)−3 + 96 = + 96 = 2(3)(32) + 96 > 0.
23
Thus, by the Second Derivative Test for Relative Extrema, we say the value
x = 2 minimizes the cost function C (x ). Solving for y and z , we have
32 32
y = 3x = 3(2) = 6 and z = = = 8.
x 2 22

Therefore, the dimensions of the desired box that minimizes cost are
x = 2 inches, y = 6 inches and z = 8 inches .
` ˛¸ x ` ˛¸ x ` ˛ ¸ x
width length he ig ht
Exercises
Solve the given problems:
1. Find a number that exceeds its square by the greatest possible amount.
What is the greatest possible amount of the excess?
2. An open box with a rectangular base is to be constructed from a rectangular
piece of cardboard 16inches wide and 21 inches long by cutting out squares
from each corner and then bending up the sides. Find the size of the corner
squares which will produce the box having the largest possible volume.
3. A rectangular field having an area of 2400sq.m. is to be enclosed by a fence,
and then divided into two lots by another fence set parallel to one of the
sides. What must be the dimensions of the field if the total amount of the
fencing material is to the smallest as possible? What is the smallest amount
of fencing material needed?
4. A box will be built with a square base and an open top. Material for the
base costs P8.00 per square foot, while the material for the sides costs
P2.00 per square foot. Find the dimensions of the box of maximum volume
that can be built for 2400.
5. Find the dimensions of the rectangle of the largest area that can be inscribed
in an equilateral triangle of side 4 units if one side of the rectangle lies on
the base of the triangle.
6. A billboard 20 feet high is located on top of the building, with its lower edge
60 feet above the level of a viewer’s eye. Use inverse trigonometric function
to find how far from a point directly below the sign a viewer should stand in
order to maximize the angle between the lines of sight of the top and
bottom of the billboard.