Quantitative Techniques

Course Code: QNT 100S

Chapter 5: Optimisation
 Optimisation
• Please note that these slides will focus on the examples in a
concise manner. More detail are in the study guide (notes).
Therefore the slides must be used together with the notes of
chapter 5.
• Foundational Concepts
• To optimise is to obtain the most (maximum) or the least(minimum) out
of something.
• In maths optimisation is finding maximise or minimum values – to
solve real live problems.
• Key words/phrases
Maximise; minimise; constraint and objective equations; find the
derivative
 Quiz - Solutions
• Try your best and attempt all multiple choice
questions.
• Discuss & compare answers with classmates.
• 1 (a) - R200/m2
• 2 (d) – Perimeter = 280m
• 3 (c) – Length = 120m
• 4 (c) – Perimeter = 300m
• 5 (c) – Cutting : 200cm and 400cm
 To solve Optimisation problems.
Process I… Read and Write
In each example/problem do the following :
• Read the question carefully.
• If possible make a drawing/figure and assign variables(x
& y), the unknown quantities.
• Out of the question get 2 equations:
i) Objective equation – that what is required,
determine/calculate…, the max/min value
ii) Constraint equation – the given information, that
what is known
• Write constraint eqn on the left side of page, and objective
eqn on the right, as algebraic equations (each with 2
unknowns – x & y) which are either derived from the
figure and/or prior knowledge.
 To solve Optimisation problems.
Process II… Calculations
• Solve 2 equations simultaneously.
• Start with constraint eqn – manipulate it i.t.o
1 variable, say “y”
• Replace “y” in the objective eqn and simplify.
• Find the derivative of the objective equation.
• Set the derivative equal to zero and solve for “x”.
• This is how we find critical values, the Max or Min
value.
• Back-substitute x-value in constraint to obtain “y”.
• Write final answer in words.
Additional Info & Techniques
r 4 = 22 A normal number (9), is converted
Powe to a power number (32) containing a
9 = 32 base (3) and an exponent (^2) –
um be r y = x2 raised to the power 2.
N

Change the form of the term into a “power number”

( in order to do the derivative)

After taking the derivative, change it back to simplify.

NB: ; ii)
 Additional Info & Techniques
• Differentiate (Finding the derivative):
• wer
Po

Example: Rule
Find the derivative with respect to x

(normally 0 is not shown)

3. y = 4 + x3
2. y’ = 0 + 3x2
 Examples & Problems
4. Optimising the surface area of a Cylinder –
(Example 2 in notes)
5. Minimise the cost of material used for a box.
(Similar to Example 5 in notes)
 Challenged Task: (in Notes)
Minimising the material needed for a can.
 Problem 9 (on Worksheet)
 Minimising the material needed for a open box.
 Problem 10 (on Worksheet)
 Maximising the volume of a box.
 Example 4
• A cylindrical soup can has a volume of 355 cm3. Find the dimensions (radius r
and height h) that minimize the surface area of such a can.

Solution:

V = πr2 h

Constraint Equation Objective Equation

Volume: V = 355 cm3 Surface Area: A =2 πr2 + 2πrh
π r2h = 355 A 2 πr2 + 2π r
A = 2 πr2 +
A=
 Example 4…continue
A=
• Take derivative of A: A’ = 4πr – 710r -2
• Set A’ = 0: 0 =
• Add both sides: = 4πr (710 = 4πr3)
• :
• Take both sides:
•
• Back-substitute r = 3.84 in Constraint:
•

• The dimensions of the soup can that will give the

minimum surface area, are radius = 3.84cm and
height = 7.66cm.
 Example 5
We want to construct a box whose base length is 3 times the
base width.  The material used to build the top and bottom cost
R10/m2 and the material used to build the sides cost R6/m2.  If
the box must have a volume of 50m3 determine the dimensions
that will minimize the cost to build the box.
Cost:
Solution: R10/m2 for top & bottom.
10x(2x l.w) = 20(3w.w)
Volume = 50m3 = 60w2
Vol = l x w x h (l=3w) R6 /m2 for the other sides.
=(3w).w.h = 3w 2h 6x(2xw.h+2xl.h)
=12w.h +12(3w)h
= 48w.h

Constraint Equation Objective Equation

Volume : V = 50 m3 Cost : C = 60w2 + 48wh (from above)
3w 2h = 50 C 60w2 + 48w
C = 60w2 +
C=
 Example 5…continue
C=
• Take derivative of C: C’ = 120w – 800w-2
• Set C’ = 0: 0 =
• Add both sides: = 120w
• :
• Take both sides:
•
• Back-substitute w = 1.88 in Constraint:
•
and also l = 3w = 3(1.88) = 5.64.

• The dimensions of the box, at minimum cost, are when

width = 1.88m; height = 4.72m & length = 5.64m
ie 5.64 x 4.72 x 1.88
 Challenge Task
• A manufacturer needs to make a cylindrical can that will
hold 1.5 liters (1500cm3) of liquid.  Determine the dimensions
of the can that will minimise the amount of material used in
its construction.
• Volume: V= 1500cm3 (given)
V = (πr2)h (from figure)

• NB - ”Material used” refers to Surface Area

• Surface Area: 2(πr2) + (2πr)h

SOLUTION:
Constraint Equation Objective Equation
Volume: V = 1500 cm3 Surface Area: A =2 πr2 + 2πrh
π r2h = 1500 A 2 πr2 + 2π r
A = 2 πr2 +
A=
 Challenge Task…continue
A=
• Take derivative of A: A’ = 4πr – 3000r -2

• Set A’ = 0: 0 =
• Add both sides: = 4πr
• :
• Take both sides:
•
• Back-substitute r = 6.20 in Constraint:
•
• The dimensions of the cylindrical can, that will give the
minimum material used , are radius = 6.20cm and height =
12.42cm.
 Problem 9 (worksheet)
A box with a square base and open top have a volume of
32 000 cm3 (cubic centimeters). Find the dimensions of the box that minimize
the amount of material used.

Solution:
Amount of material used refers to the
surface area of the box. h
Volume (V) = 32 000cm3
= Base area x height x x
=x xh
2

Constraint Equation Objective Equation

Volume : V = 32 000 cm3 Surface Area: A =4 sides + 1 bottom
x 2h = 32 000
A 4(xh) + x2
A = ) + x2
A=
 Problem 9…continue
• Take derivative of A:
• Set A’ = 0: 0 =
• Add both sides: = 2x
• :
• x3
• Take both sides:
•
• Back-substitute x = 40 in Constraint:
•

• The dimensions of the box that will give the minimum

material used, is when x = 40cm and h = 20cm,
• ie. 40 x 40 x 20.
 Problem 10 (worksheet)
• If 1200 cm2 of material is available to make a box with a square base and
an open top, find the largest possible volume of the box.

Solution:
Amount of material available refers to the
surface area of the box.
h
Surface Area (A) = 1200cm2 (given)
= 4 sides + 1 bottom (open top)
= 4(xh) + x2 x x

Constraint Equation Objective Equation

Surface Area : A = 1200 cm2 Volume : V = Base Area x Height
4xh + x 2 = 1200 V x2 h
4xh = 1200 – x2 =
 Problem 10…continue
• Take derivative of V:
• Set = 0: 0 =
• Add both sides: = 300
• x both sides:
• Take both sides
•
• Back-substitute x = 20 in Constraint:
•
• The largest volume of the box , when x = 20cm and h = 10cm, is
(20)2 x 10 = 4000cm3.
 In closing….
• Take some time off to view the following :

Optimisation U-Tube video’s

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQAA6zUxKjc

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1U6AmIa_uQ

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq7g1nc2MJ8
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUMvwG7wvzM