DERIVATIVES
Chapter 2
Optimization using
Calculus
LEARNING OUTCOME:
•At the end of the lesson,
the learner shall be able
to solve optimization
problems. STEM_BC11D-IIIg-1
The Critical Points and
Extremum of a Function
How to find critical points
1.Take the derivative of the function
2.Set the derivative equal to zero
and solve for x
3.Plug each x value into the original
equation to get the y values
EXAMPLE 1:
Find all the critical points of the given function.
•𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 4
FERMAT’S THEOREM AND
THE EXTREME VALUE
THEOREM
(Fermat’s Theorem)
•Let 𝑓 be continuous on an open interval
𝐼 containing 𝑥0 . If 𝑓 has an extremum at
𝑥0 , then 𝑥0 must be a critical point of 𝑓.
(Extreme Value Theorem)
•Let 𝑓 be a function which is continuous
on a closed and bounded interval 𝑎, 𝑏 .
Then the extreme values (maximum and
minimum) of 𝑓 always exist, and they
occur either at the endpoints or at the
critical points of 𝑓.
EXAMPLE 2:
Find the extrema of the given functions on the interval −1,1 . (These functions
are the same as in the previous example.)
• 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 4
OPTIMIZATION: APPLICATION
OF EXTREMA TO WORD
PROBLEMS
OPTIMIZATION
•Is the process by which the
values that would maximize or
minimize another value are
obtained.
Steps in Solving Optimization Problems
1) Represent the unknown quantities as variables.
2) Draw a diagram of the problem including the known and unknown
measurements, if possible.
3) Write the primary (or objective) function to be optimized (minimized or
maximized) and the secondary function. Note that the secondary
function may not be present in a problem.
4) Write the primary function in terms of only one variable. The secondary
function can be used to do this (if there is a secondary function).
5) Determine the feasible domain of the primary function based on the
restrictions of the problem.
6) Apply appropriate theorems.
EXAMPLE 1:
Find two nonnegative numbers
with a sum of 18 such that the sum
of their squares is a minimum.
Solution:
STEP 1: Represent the unknown quantities as variables.
Let x be the first number. Since the sum of the two numbers is 18,
the second number is 18 − x.
Step 2: Write the primary function to be minimized.
The primary function to be minimized is the sum S of the squares of
the two numbers.
STEP 3: Determine the feasible domain of the primary function based
on the restrictions of the problem.
It is given that the sum of the two nonnegative numbers is 18. Hence, the
domain of 𝑆 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 324 𝑖𝑠 0,18 .
STEP 4: Apply appropriate theorems.
The function 𝑆 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 324 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑛 0,18 . Thus, by
the Extreme Value Theorem, S has a minimum value at a critical point of
function or at an endpoint of [0, 18].
The minimum value of the function is 162 at x = 9. The value x = 9 is
the first number. To find the second number, we substitute this into
18 − x.
EXAMPLE 2:
A rectangular lot, with one of its sides
on a building, is to be enclosed by 510
meters of fencing materials. What is
the area of the biggest lot that could be
fenced?
Solution:
STEP 1: Represent the unknown quantities as variables.
Let l be one side of the lot and w be the adjacent side.
Step 2: Draw a diagram of the problem including the known and
unknown measurements.
Step 3: Write the primary function to be maximized and the secondary
function.
The primary function to be maximized is the area A of the lot. A = lw
The secondary function is the perimeter P = 510 (length of fencing
materials) of the rectangle.
P = 2w + l
510 = 2w + l
Step 4: Write the primary function in terms of only one variable.
Step 5: Determine the feasible domain of the primary function based on
the restrictions of the problem.
It is given that the perimeter of the lot is 510 meters. Hence, w is
nonnegative and not more than 255 meters. Thus, we consider the
domain [0, 255].
Realistically, w cannot be zero or 255. However, we include these values
in the domain to make the interval closed and bounded, so that we can
apply the Extreme Value Theorem.
Step 6: Apply appropriate theorems.
EXAMPLE 3:
Find the number in the interval [ 2,2] so
that the difference of the number from its
square is maximized.
EXAMPLE 4:
A rectangular box is to be made from a
piece of cardboard 24 cm long and 9
cm wide by cutting out identical
squares from the four corners and
turning up the sides. Find the volume
of the largest rectangular box that can
be formed.
ASYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITY 1 – MARCH 03, 2025
Solve the following optimization problems.
1. A food manufacturer packages his product in 1L-1000 𝑐𝑚3 that
are right circular cylinders. If the material for the top costs five
times as much per square centimeters as that used for the
bottom and side, find the dimensions of the can if the cost of
the material is to be a minimum.
2. A rectangular field is to be bounded by a fence on three sides
and by a straight stream on the fourth side. Find the
dimensions of the field with maximum area that can be
enclosed using 1000 ft of fence.
