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Handout No. 5 Maxima and Minima

1. The document provides guidelines for solving maximum/minimum optimization problems that frequently appear in differential calculus. These "word problems" involve finding the maximum or minimum value of a function subject to certain constraints. 2. The guidelines include reading the problem carefully, drawing diagrams, defining variables, writing relevant equations where one is a constraint and one is the function to optimize, ensuring the optimization equation depends on one variable only, then differentiating and using the first or second derivative test to find the extremum. 3. Several example problems are provided that can be solved using these guidelines, such as finding the largest box that can be made from cardboard, or the largest rectangle that can fit in an ellipse.

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62 views4 pages

Handout No. 5 Maxima and Minima

1. The document provides guidelines for solving maximum/minimum optimization problems that frequently appear in differential calculus. These "word problems" involve finding the maximum or minimum value of a function subject to certain constraints. 2. The guidelines include reading the problem carefully, drawing diagrams, defining variables, writing relevant equations where one is a constraint and one is the function to optimize, ensuring the optimization equation depends on one variable only, then differentiating and using the first or second derivative test to find the extremum. 3. Several example problems are provided that can be solved using these guidelines, such as finding the largest box that can be made from cardboard, or the largest rectangle that can fit in an ellipse.

Uploaded by

Gladys Perez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

LIPA CAMPUS

DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

MAXIMUM/MINIMUM PROBLEMS
The following problems are maximum/minimum optimization problems. They illustrate one of the most
important applications of the first derivative. Many students find these problems intimidating because they
are "word" problems, and because there does not appear to be a pattern to these problems. However, if you
are patient you can minimize your anxiety and maximize your success with these problems by following these
guidelines :

GUIDELINES FOR SOLVING MAX./MIN. PROBLEMS

1. Read each problem slowly and carefully. Read the problem at least three times before trying to solve
it. Sometimes words can be ambiguous. It is imperative to know exactly what the problem is asking. If
you misread the problem or hurry through it, you have NO chance of solving it correctly.

2. If appropriate, draw a sketch or diagram of the problem to be solved. Pictures are a great help in
organizing and sorting out your thoughts.

3. Define variables to be used and carefully label your picture or diagram with these variables. This
step is very important because it leads directly or indirectly to the creation of mathematical equations.

4. Write down all equations which are related to your problem or diagram. Clearly denote that
equation which you are asked to maximize or minimize. Experience will show you that MOST
optimization problems will begin with two equations. One equation is a "constraint" equation and the
other is the "optimization" equation. The "constraint" equation is used to solve for one of the variables.
This is then substituted into the "optimization" equation before differentiation occurs. Some problems
may have NO constraint equation. Some problems may have two or more constraint equations.

5. Before differentiating, make sure that the optimization equation is a function of only one variable.
Then differentiate using the well-known rules of differentiation.

6. Verify that your result is a maximum or minimum value using the first or second derivative test for
extrema.

EXAMPLES:
1. An open rectangular box is to be made of a piece of cardboard of dimensions 15cm and 24cm by
cutting small squares out of the corners and turning up the sides. Find the dimensions of the
largest box that can be made in this way.
2. Find the area of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed in a given ellipse

3. A container open at top is a right circular cylinder having a surface (side and lower base) area of
108 square meters. What should the radius and altitude be in order to provide the largest possible
volume?
4. Find the product of two numbers whose sum is 24 if the product is to be a maximum.

5. A long strip of tin 30cm wide is to be made into a gutter with rectangular cross section by turning
up equal widths along the edges. Find the depth of the gutter which yields the greatest carrying
capacity.

6. Find the point (x, y) on the graph of   nearest the point (4, 0).  
7. Find the dimensions of the right circular cylinder of greatest volume which can be inscribed in a
right circular cone with radius of 5in and a height of 12 inches.

8. A lot has the form of a right triangle, with perpendicular sides 60 and 80 feet long. Find the
length and width of the largest rectangular building that can be erected, facing the hypotenuse of
the triangle.

9. From a strip of tin 14 inches a trapezoidal gutter is to be made by bending up the sides at an
angle of 45°. Find the width of the base for greatest carrying capacity.

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