MODULE 5

Calculus 1
MAXIMA and MINIMA
Problems

Objectives of the Module

At the end of this module, the

students should be able to

 Solve model problems on

maximization.

 Solve model problems on

minimization.

 Appreciate the application

of Differential Calculus to
seemingly real life
problems.
 PRE-TEST

Using your knowledge of addition and multiplication and

through simple trial and error, find two positive numbers, whose
sum is 50 and whose product is as large as possible.
Start with
Product
0 & 50 0 × 50 = 0
1 & 49 1 × 49
5.0 Model Problems: NUMBERS

Problem 1:
Find two positive numbers whose sum is 100 and whose product is a maximum
Solution 1: Use two variables 𝑥 and 𝑦
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 100 ⟹ 𝑦 = 100 − 𝑥
Maximize: 𝑃 = 𝑥𝑦
Since there is a need for only one variable replace 𝑦

𝑃 = 𝑥(100 − 𝑥)
= 100𝑥 − 𝑥 2
𝑑𝑃
= 100 − 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑃
Set =0
𝑑𝑥
100 − 2𝑥 = 0
−2𝑥 = −100
𝑥 = 50
𝑦 = 50
𝑑2 𝑃
By SDT: = −2
𝑑𝑥2

Therefore 𝑃 = (50)(50)
= 2500 is a maximum product
Solution 2: Use 𝑥 and 100 − 𝑥
Problem 2:
The sum of two positive numbers is 40. Find the numbers if the sum of their squares is a
minimum.
Solution 1:
let 𝑥 and 𝑦 be the two numbers
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 40
Minimize: 𝑆 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦 2
Since 𝑦 = 40 − 𝑥
𝑆 = 𝑥 2 + (40 − 𝑥) 2
𝑆 = 𝑥 2 + 1600 − 80𝑥 + 𝑥 2
= 2𝑥 2 − 80𝑥 + 1600
𝑑𝑆
𝑑𝑥
= 4𝑥 − 80

4𝑥 = 80
𝑥 = 20
𝑦 = 20
By SDT:
𝑑2 𝑆
=4
𝑑𝑥2

where 202 + 202 = 800 is minimum sum of squares

Solution 2: Use 𝑥 and 40− 𝑥 to arrive at the same answer
Problem 3:

Divide the number 120 into two parts such that the product P of one part and the square
of the other is a maximum.
Solution:
let 𝑥 be one part
120 − 𝑥 the other part

Max 𝑃 = (120 − 𝑥) 𝑥 2
𝑑𝑃
= (120 − 𝑥)(2𝑥) + 𝑥 2 (−1)
𝑑𝑥

= 240𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2
= −3𝑥 2 + 240𝑥
𝑑𝑃
Let =0
𝑑𝑥

3𝑥 2 − 240𝑥 = 0
3𝑥(𝑥 − 80) = 0
3𝑥 = 0 𝑥 − 80 = 0
𝑥=0 𝑥 = 80
120 − 𝑥 = 120 120 − 𝑥 = 40

𝑃 = (120)(0) 2 𝑃 = (40)(80) 2
=0 = 256,000

By SDT: By SDT:
𝑑2 𝑃 𝑑2 𝑃
= −6𝑥 + 240 = −6(80) + 240
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2

= 240 = −480 + 240

𝑃 = 0 is minimum product = −240
𝑃 = 256000 is maximum
 5.1 Model Problems: GEOMETRY

Problem 1: Fencing
Find the largest rectangle that can be fenced by 100 𝑚 of fencing material
Solution:
let 𝑥 and 𝑦 be the dimensions
𝑃 = 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 100
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 100
𝑥 + 𝑦 = 50 ⟹ 𝑦 = 50 − 𝑥
Maximize: 𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦 largest rectangle means Area
𝐴 = 𝑥(50 − 𝑥)
= 50𝑥 − 𝑥 2
𝑑𝐴
𝑑𝑥
= 50 − 2𝑥
𝑑𝐴
let 𝑑𝑥
=0
50 − 2𝑥 = 0
−2𝑥 = −50
𝑥 = 25 𝑚
𝑦 = 25 𝑚
By SDT:
𝑑2 𝐴
= −2
𝑑𝑥2

which means that the rectangle is a square

Problem 2: Cardboard Box

Find the dimensions of an open box of maximum volume that can be made by cutting
squares from the corners of a 24 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 × 24 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 cardboard and folding up the sides.
Solution:
let 𝑥 = length of the side of the square

Maximize: Volume 𝑉 = 𝑙𝑤ℎ

𝑉 = (24 − 2𝑥)(24− 2𝑥)𝑥
𝑉 = 576𝑥 − 96𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 3
𝑑𝑉
= 576 − 192𝑥 + 12𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥
 𝑑𝑉
let =0
𝑑𝑥

576 − 192𝑥 + 12𝑥 2 = 0

12(𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 + 48) = 0
12(𝑥 − 12)(𝑥 − 4) = 0
𝑥 − 12 = 0 𝑥−4=0
𝑥 = 12 𝑥=4

𝑑2 𝑉 𝑑2 𝑉
= 24𝑥 − 192 = 96 − 192
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2
= 288 − 196 = −96
maximum
= 96
minimum

𝑥=4
𝑉 = (16 𝑖𝑛)(16 𝑖𝑛)(4 𝑖𝑛)
= 1024 𝑖𝑛3

Activity 5a
Consider the Cardboard Box Problem, what must be the size of the square and the
maximum VOLUME of the box if the square cardboard measures

1. 12 inches

2. six inches

3. ten inches

4. 18 inches

Find the pattern of answers.

5.2 Model Problems: DISTANCE

Problem 1:
Find the minimum distance from the point (4,2) to the parabola 𝑦 2 = 8𝑥
Solution:
Using the distance formula between a point (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) to a curve containing the point (𝑥, 𝑦)

𝐷 = √(𝑥 − 𝑥 1)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )2 where D is to be minimized

𝐷 = √(𝑥 − 4)2 + (𝑦 − 2)2

2
𝑦2
= √ ( 8 − 4 ) + (𝑦 − 2 )2

𝑦4
=√ − 4𝑦 + 20
64

1
−2
𝑑𝐷 1 𝑦4 1
𝑑𝑦
= (
2 64
− 4𝑦 + 20) (
64
⋅ 4𝑦 3 − 4)

𝑑𝐷 1
𝑑𝑦
=0 ⟹ 64
𝑦3 − 1 = 0 why?

𝑦 3 = 64

𝑦=4

𝑥=2

Therefore, the point (2,4)on the parabola is the point

nearest to (4,2) with the distance 𝐷 = √8 or 2√2

Problem 2:

A woman in a boat at P (see figure) 5 𝑘𝑚 from the nearest point A on a straight

shore, wishes to reach a point B, 6 𝑘𝑚 from A along the shore; in the shortest time. Where
should she land if she can row 2 𝑘𝑚/ℎ and walk 4 𝑘𝑚/ℎ.
 Let C be point between A and B at which the woman lands, and let 𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥.
The distance rowed is 𝑃𝐶 = √25 + 𝑥 2 , and the rowing time required is
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 √25+𝑥 2
𝑡1 = = .
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 2
(6−𝑥)
The distance walked is 𝐶𝐵 = 6 − 𝑥, and the walking time required is 𝑡 2 = 4
.
Hence, the total time required is
1 1 𝑑𝑡 𝑥 1 2𝑥−√25+𝑥 2
𝑡 = 𝑡1 + 𝑡2 = √25 + 𝑥 2 + (6 − 𝑥) and = 2 − =
2 4 𝑑𝑥 2 √25+𝑥 4 4√25+𝑥 2

5
The critical value, obtained from 2𝑥 − √25 + 𝑥 2 = 0, is 𝑥 = 3 √3 ~2.89. Thus, she should
land at a point 2.89 𝑘𝑚 from A toward B. (How do we know that this point yields the shortest
time?)

5.3 Model Problems: MOTION

Let’s REVIEW
1
𝑠 = 𝑣0𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2
𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝑡
= 𝑣 = 𝑣 0 − 𝑔𝑡
𝑑2𝑠 𝑑𝑣
= 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑎 = −𝑔
𝑑𝑡2

𝑠 is distance
𝑣0 is initial velocity
𝑣 is velocity

𝑣0 is initial velocity
where 𝑔 is acceleration due to gravity
Problem 1:
A stone, projected vertically upward with initial velocity 34.3 𝑚 𝑠 −1 , moves according to
𝑠 = 34.3𝑡 − 4.9𝑡 2, where s is the distance from the starting point. Compute (a) the velocity and
acceleration when 𝑡 = 3 and when 𝑡 = 4, and (b) the greatest height reached. (c) When will its
height be 29.4 𝑚?
𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑣
We have 𝑣 = = 34.3 − 9.8𝑡 and 𝑎 = = −9.8
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

(a) At 𝑡 = 3, 𝑣 = 4.9 and 𝑎 = −9.8. The stone is rising at 4.9 𝑚 𝑠 −1 .

At 𝑡 = 4, 𝑣 = −4.9 and 𝑎 = −9.8. The stone is falling at 4.9 𝑚 𝑠 −1.

(b) At the highest point of the motion, 𝑣 = 0. Solving 𝑣 = 0 = 34.3 − 9.8𝑡 yields 𝑡 = 3.5. At this
time, 𝑠 = 60.025 𝑚.
(c) Letting 29.4 = 34.3𝑡 − 4.9𝑡 2 yields 𝑡 2 − 7𝑡 + 6 = 0, from which yields 𝑡 = 1 and 6. At the
end of 6 seconds it is at the same height but is falling since yields 𝑣 < 0.

Activity 5b
Consider the following:
A body moves vertically up from the earth according to 𝑠 = 19.6𝑡 − 4.9𝑡 2
1. What is the initial velocity 𝑣0 ?

2. What is the acceleration due to gravity used in the problem?

3. Show that the body has lost one-half its velocity in its first 14.7 𝑚 of rise
5.4 Model Problems: BUSINESS

Let’s REVIEW
Revenue 𝑅(𝑥) = (selling price / unit)(no.of units)

Total Cost 𝐶(𝑥) = Fixed Cost + Variable Cost

where Variable Cost = (VC / unit)(no. of units)

Profit 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑅 (𝑥) − 𝐶(𝑥)

Note that 𝑃(𝑥) = 0 when 𝑅(𝑥) = 𝐶(𝑥) the break-even level

Problem 1:
A woman from Lopez, Quezon sells pamaypay at the Antipolo Church every Sunday when
she visits her children during weekend. The selling price per pamaypay is P25.00 which she
buys from at P10.00 each. She spends P150 per day for the space allocated for her bu siness
at the churchyard. Find her maximum profit.

Solution:
𝑅 = 25𝑥
𝐶 = 150 + 10𝑥
𝑃 = 𝑅−𝐶
𝑃 = 25𝑥 − (150 + 10𝑥)
𝑃 = 15𝑥 − 150
𝑑𝑃
= 15 which cannot be equated to 0
𝑑𝑥

why?

Problem 2:
A company offers the following schedule of charges: P30 / thousand of orders of 50,000
or less with the charge per thousand decreased by 37.5 centavos for each thousand above
50,000. Find the order size that makes the company’s receipts a maximum.
Solution:

The problem deals with maximizing Revenue, For orders 50,000 and below
𝑅(𝑥) = 30𝑥 where x is the number of thousands
For orders above 50,000
𝑅 (𝑥) = (30 − 0.375𝑥) (50 + 𝑥) where x is in thousands
Maximize
𝑅 = 1500 + 11.25𝑥 − 0.375𝑥 2
𝑑𝑅
= 11.25 − 0.75𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑅
= 0 ⟹ 11.25 − 0.75𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥

−0.75𝑥 = −11.25
𝑥 = 15
So that to maximize revenue orders must be 50 + 15 thousands or 65,000 units.
Maximum Revenue is 1500 plus 99.375 equal to 1599.375

Activity 5c

Summarize the Steps in Problem Solving of MAXIMA & MINIMA Problems

 POST TEST

Multiple choice
1-3. The sum of two positive numbers is 200
1. What are the numbers if their sum is maximum?
a. 0 and 200 c. 100 and 100
b. 80 and 120 d. 50 and 150
2. Find the numbers if the sum of their squares is minimum
a. 0 and 200 c. 100 and 100
b. 80 and 120 d. 50 and 150
3. If the product of the square of one and the cube of the other
is a maximum, the numbers are
a. 0 and 200 c. 100 and 100
b. 80 and 120 d. 50 and 150
4-5. The product of two positive numbers is 64.
4. What are the numbers if their sum is least?
a. 8 and 8 c. 1 and 64
b. 2 and 32 d. 16 and 4
5. What are the numbers if the sum of one and the square of the
other is least?
a. 8 and 8 c. 1 and 64
b. 2 and 32 d. 16 and 4
6-8. A ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 24 ft/s
6. What is s using feet?
a. 𝑠 = 24 − 16𝑡 c. 𝑠 = 24𝑡 + 16𝑡 2
b. 𝑠 = 24 + 16𝑡 d. 𝑠 = 24𝑡 − 16𝑡 2
7. The equation for velocity would be
a. 𝑣 = −16 c. 𝑣 = 24 + 32𝑡
b. 𝑣 = 16 d. 𝑣 = 24 − 32𝑡
8. The highest distance reached by the ball is
a. 10 𝑚 c. 8 𝑚
b. 9 𝑚 d. 7 𝑚