Optimization
Basic Calculus
If we are given many options for the
value of a variable 𝑥, how do we
choose the “best value”?
- This problem is classified as
optimization problems.
Turn to page 236 of your textbook.
EXAMPLE 1.
An open-top box is to be made by cutting congruent
squares from the corners of an 8 feet sheet of tin and
then folding up the sides. What should be the
dimensions of the box to maximize its volume?
Solution.
Let 𝑥 be the height of the box,
𝑙 be the length of the box,
𝑤 be the width of the box.
Constraint: 𝑙 = 8 − 2𝑥
𝑤 = 8 − 2𝑥
Optimization Equation: 𝑉 𝑥 = 𝑙𝑤ℎ
= 8 − 2𝑥 8 − 2𝑥 𝑥
= 64 − 16𝑥 − 16𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 𝑥
= 64 − 32𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 𝑥
𝑽 𝒙 = 𝟔𝟒𝒙 − 𝟑𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙𝟑
Solve for 𝑉 ′ 𝑥 .
𝑉 ′ 𝑥 = 64 − 64𝑥 + 12𝑥 2
Set 𝑉 ′ 𝑥 = 0 and solve for 𝑥.
64 − 64𝑥 + 12𝑥 2 = 0
16 − 16𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 = 0
−𝑏 ± 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
− −16 ± −16 2 − 4 3 16
𝑥=
2 3
16 ± 8
𝑥=
6
16 + 8 24
𝒙𝟏 = = =𝟒
6 6
16 − 8 8 𝟒
𝒙𝟐 = = =
6 6 𝟑
4
Thus, the critical values are 𝑥 = 4 and 𝑥 = .
3
Using the First Derivative Test:
Identify the interval of the Optimization Eq’n:
8 − 2𝑥 8 − 2𝑥 𝑥 = 0
8 − 2𝑥 = 0 𝑥=0
−2𝑥 = −8
𝑥=4
Since, if 𝑥 = 0 or 𝑥 = 4, no box will be formed, then the interval is
reduced to 0, 4 .
𝟒
Critical value: 𝒙 =
𝟑
Then, we have
4 4
0, and ,4
3 3
Choose
4 4
1 ∈ 0, and 2 ∈ ,4
3 3
𝑉 ′ 1 = 64 − 64 1 + 12 1 2
= 12
𝑉 ′ 2 = 64 − 64 2 + 12 2 2
= −16
4
Thus, 𝑥 = is a relative maximum.
3
Therefore, the dimensions of the box to maximize the volume are:
4
ℎ = 𝑓𝑡.
3
4 16
𝑙 =𝑤 =8−2 = 𝑓𝑡.
3 3
Using the Second Derivative Test:
𝑉 ′ 𝑥 = 64 − 64𝑥 + 12𝑥 2
𝑉 ′′ 𝑥 = −64 + 24𝑥
If 𝑥 = 4:
𝑉 ′′ 4 = −64 + 24 4 = 32
4
If 𝑥 = :
3
′′
4 4
𝑉 = −64 + 24 = −32
3 3
4
Thus, 𝑥 = is a relative maximum.
3
Therefore, the dimensions of the box to maximize the volume are:
4
ℎ = 𝑓𝑡.
3
4 16
𝑙 =𝑤 =8−2 = 𝑓𝑡.
3 3
EXAMPLE 2.
A farmer has 1800 meters of fencing and wants to
fence off a rectangular field that borders a straight
river. He needs no fence along the river. What are the
dimensions of the field that has the largest area.
Illustration:
𝑥 𝑥
𝑦
Solution.
Let 𝑥 and 𝑦 be the dimensions of the field.
Constraint: 1800 = 2𝑥 + 𝑦 → 𝑦 = 1800 − 2𝑥
Optimization Equation: 𝐴 𝑥 = 𝑥𝑦
= 𝑥 1800 − 2𝑥
𝐴 𝑥 = 1800𝑥 − 2𝑥 2
Solve for 𝐴′ 𝑥 .
𝐴′ 𝑥 = 1800 − 4𝑥
Solve for 𝐴′ 𝑥 .
1800 − 4𝑥 = 0
−4𝑥 = −1800
−4𝑥 −1800
=
−4 −4
𝑥 = 450
Thus, the critical value is 𝑥 = 450.
Using the First Derivative Test:
Identify the interval of the Optimization Eq’n:
𝑥 1800 − 2𝑥 = 0
𝑥=0 1800 − 2𝑥 = 0
−2𝑥 = −1800
𝑥 = 900
Since, if 𝑥 = 0 or 𝑥 = 900, the fencing materials will not be enough
to enclose the field, then the interval is reduced to 0, 900 .
Critical value: 𝒙 = 𝟒𝟓𝟎
Then, we have
0, 450 and 450, 900
Choose
1 ∈ 0, 450 and 500 ∈ 450, 900
𝐴′ 1 = 1800 − 4 1 = 1796
𝐴′ 500 = 1800 − 4 500 = −200
Thus, 𝑥 = 450 is a relative maximum.
Therefore, the dimensions of the field that has the largest area are
450 𝑚 by 1800 − 2 450 = 900𝑚.
Using the Second Derivative Test:
𝐴′ 𝑥 = 1800 − 4𝑥
𝐴′′ 𝑥 = −4
𝐴′′ 450 = −4
Thus, 𝑥 = 450 is a relative maximum.
Therefore, the dimensions of the field that has the largest area are
450 𝑚 by 1800 − 2 450 = 900𝑚.
