MA 161 - Lesson 26: Optimization Problems - Part I

Topics Covered:

Warm-up Example

Warm-up: Find the maximum value of \(f(x) = x(10-x)\) on the interval \([0, 10]\)

Step 1: Find critical points

\[f(x) = x(10-x) = 10x - x^2\] \[f'(x) = 10 - 2x\]

Set \(f'(x) = 0\):

\[10 - 2x = 0 \implies 2x = 10 \implies x = 5\]

Step 2: Check endpoints and critical point

Since we're on a closed interval \([0, 10]\), we check the endpoints:

Answer: The maximum value is 25, occurring at \(x = 5\).

Strategy for Optimization Problems

Four-Step Strategy:
  1. Read carefully, sketch, and label
    • Draw a diagram if possible
    • Label all quantities with variables
    • Understand what's being asked
  2. Identify the objective and constraint
    • Objective: What you need to maximize or minimize (look for words like "find max," "minimize," "largest," "smallest")
    • Constraint: Given conditions or relationships (look for phrases like "given that," "such that," "subject to")
  3. Use the constraint to write the objective as a function of one variable
    • Express the objective function in terms of a single variable
    • Determine the domain (valid range for the variable)
  4. Use \(f'(x)\) and \(f''(x)\) to find the maximum or minimum
    • Find critical points: \(f'(x) = 0\)
    • Use the second derivative test or check endpoints
    • Verify your answer makes sense in context

Example 1: Maximizing a Product with a Constraint

Example: Find the maximum value of \(xy\) such that \(x + y = 10\), where \(x \geq 0\) and \(y \geq 0\)

Step 1: Identify objective and constraint

Step 2: Use constraint to express objective as function of one variable

From the constraint: \(y = 10 - x\)

Since \(y \geq 0\), we need \(10 - x \geq 0\), so \(x \leq 10\)

Combined with \(x \geq 0\), the domain is \(0 \leq x \leq 10\)

Substitute into objective:

\[f(x) = x \cdot y = x(10 - x) = 10x - x^2\]

Step 3: Find the maximum on \([0, 10]\)

This is exactly our warm-up problem!

\[f'(x) = 10 - 2x = 0 \implies x = 5\]

When \(x = 5\): \(y = 10 - 5 = 5\)

Answer: The maximum value of \(xy\) is \(5 \cdot 5 = 25\), occurring when \(x = y = 5\).

Example 2: Rectangle Inscribed in a Circle

Example: What is the area of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed inside the first quadrant portion of the unit circle?

Setup Description: Consider a unit circle centered at the origin. In the first quadrant, we inscribe a rectangle with one corner at the origin and the opposite corner at a point \((x, y)\) on the circle. The rectangle has width \(x\) and height \(y\).

Step 1: Identify objective and constraint

Step 2: Express objective as function of one variable

From the constraint: \(y^2 = 1 - x^2\), so \(y = \sqrt{1 - x^2}\) (positive since first quadrant)

Objective function:

\[f(x) = x \cdot y = x\sqrt{1 - x^2}, \quad 0 \leq x \leq 1\]

Step 3: Find critical points

Using the product rule and chain rule:

\[f'(x) = \sqrt{1-x^2} + x \cdot \frac{1}{2\sqrt{1-x^2}} \cdot (-2x)\] \[= \sqrt{1-x^2} + x \cdot \frac{-x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\] \[= \sqrt{1-x^2} - \frac{x^2}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\] \[= \frac{(1-x^2) - x^2}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\] \[= \frac{1 - 2x^2}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\]

Set \(f'(x) = 0\):

\[1 - 2x^2 = 0 \implies x^2 = \frac{1}{2} \implies x = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\]

(We reject \(x = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\) since \(x \geq 0\))

Step 4: Check endpoints and critical point

Answer: The maximum area is \(\frac{1}{2}\), occurring when \(x = y = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\).

Example 3: Cone with Maximum Volume

Example: Find the radius and height of the cone with the largest volume when the slant height is 15 m

Cone Description: A cone has radius \(R\) at the base, height \(H\), and slant height \(s = 15\) m. The slant height, radius, and height form a right triangle with the relationship \(R^2 + H^2 = s^2\).

Step 1: Identify objective and constraint

Step 2: Express objective as function of one variable

From constraint: \(R^2 = 225 - H^2\)

Substitute into volume formula:

\[V(H) = \frac{1}{3}\pi (225 - H^2) H = \frac{\pi}{3}(225H - H^3), \quad 0 \leq H \leq 15\]

Step 3: Find critical points

\[V'(H) = \frac{\pi}{3}(225 - 3H^2) = 0\] \[225 - 3H^2 = 0\] \[H^2 = 75\] \[H = \sqrt{75} = 5\sqrt{3} \approx 8.66 \text{ m}\]

Step 4: Verify this is a maximum using the second derivative test

\[V''(H) = \frac{\pi}{3}(-6H)\] \[V''(5\sqrt{3}) = \frac{\pi}{3}(-6 \cdot 5\sqrt{3}) = -10\pi\sqrt{3} < 0\]

Since \(V''(H) < 0\), we have a maximum.

Also check endpoints:

Step 5: Find the corresponding radius

\[R^2 = 225 - H^2 = 225 - 75 = 150\] \[R = \sqrt{150} = 5\sqrt{6} \approx 12.25 \text{ m}\]

Answer: The cone with maximum volume has:

Example 4: Minimizing Fencing Cost

Example: Minimize the cost of fencing around a pumpkin patch

Problem: A rectangular pumpkin patch with an area of 300 square meters needs a fence. The fence costs $8 per meter for the side next to the forest and $4 per meter for the remaining three sides that are next to the village. Find the dimensions that minimize the total cost of the fencing.

Setup Description: A rectangular patch has one side of length \(x\) adjacent to the forest, and the other dimension is \(y\). The side along the forest costs $8/m, while the other three sides (one opposite side of length \(x\) and two sides of length \(y\)) cost $4/m each.

Step 1: Identify objective and constraint

Step 2: Express the cost function

Cost breakdown:

Total cost:

\[C = 8x + 4x + 8y = 12x + 8y\]

Step 3: Use constraint to write cost as function of one variable

From \(xy = 300\): \(y = \frac{300}{x}\)

Substitute:

\[C(x) = 12x + 8\left(\frac{300}{x}\right) = 12x + \frac{2400}{x}, \quad x > 0\]

Step 4: Find critical points

\[C'(x) = 12 - \frac{2400}{x^2} = 0\] \[12x^2 = 2400\] \[x^2 = 200\] \[x = \sqrt{200} = 10\sqrt{2} \approx 14.14 \text{ m}\]

Step 5: Verify this is a minimum using the second derivative test

\[C''(x) = \frac{2400 \cdot 2}{x^3} = \frac{4800}{x^3}\] \[C''(10\sqrt{2}) = \frac{4800}{(10\sqrt{2})^3} > 0\]

Since \(C''(x) > 0\), we have a minimum.

Step 6: Find the corresponding value of y

\[y = \frac{300}{x} = \frac{300}{10\sqrt{2}} = \frac{30}{\sqrt{2}} = 15\sqrt{2} \approx 21.21 \text{ m}\]

Answer: To minimize the cost, the dimensions should be:

Example 5: Biggest Candy Box

Example: Create the biggest candy box for trick-or-treating

Problem: A sheet of cardboard measuring 24 cm by 24 cm is ready to be transformed into a Halloween candy box. To create the box, you'll need to cut squares of equal size from each corner and fold up the sides to make an open-top container. What size squares should you cut out to maximize the volume of the box?

Box Construction: From a 24×24 cm square, we cut out squares of side length \(x\) from each corner. When we fold up the sides, the base of the box has dimensions \((24-2x) \times (24-2x)\), and the height is \(x\).

Step 1: Set up the problem

Step 2: Write the volume function

\[V(x) = (\text{length})(\text{width})(\text{height})\] \[V(x) = (24-2x)(24-2x) \cdot x\] \[V(x) = (24-2x)^2 \cdot x\]

Step 3: Expand and find the derivative

\[V(x) = (576 - 96x + 4x^2) \cdot x\] \[V(x) = 4x^3 - 96x^2 + 576x\] \[V'(x) = 12x^2 - 192x + 576\] \[= 12(x^2 - 16x + 48)\] \[= 12(x - 4)(x - 12)\]

Step 4: Find critical points

Set \(V'(x) = 0\):

\[12(x-4)(x-12) = 0\] \[x = 4 \text{ or } x = 12\]

Since \(0 < x < 12\), only \(x = 4\) is valid.

Step 5: Verify this is a maximum using the second derivative test

\[V''(x) = 24x - 192\] \[V''(4) = 24(4) - 192 = 96 - 192 = -96 < 0\]

Since \(V''(4) < 0\), we have a maximum at \(x = 4\).

We can also verify by checking:

Answer: Cut squares of side length 4 cm from each corner to maximize the volume of the candy box.

The resulting box will have:

Summary of Optimization Strategy

Key Steps to Remember:

  1. Understand the problem
    • Read carefully and draw a diagram
    • Label all quantities
    • Identify what's given and what needs to be found
  2. Identify objective and constraint
    • Objective: The quantity to maximize or minimize
    • Constraint: The relationship or condition that must be satisfied
  3. Express objective as a function of one variable
    • Use the constraint to eliminate extra variables
    • Determine the valid domain for the variable
  4. Find and verify the optimum
    • Find critical points: solve \(f'(x) = 0\)
    • Use second derivative test or check endpoints
    • Verify the answer makes physical sense

Common Phrases to Look For:

Common Mistakes to Avoid: