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Consider the same open-top box, which is to have volume 216 in . 3 . Suppose the cost of the material for the base is 20 ¢ / in . 2 and the cost of the material for the sides is 30 ¢ / in . 2 and we are trying to minimize the cost of this box. Write the cost as a function of the side lengths of the base. (Let x be the side length of the base and y be the height of the box.)

c ( x ) = 259.2 x + 0.2 x 2 dollars

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Key concepts

  • To solve an optimization problem, begin by drawing a picture and introducing variables.
  • Find an equation relating the variables.
  • Find a function of one variable to describe the quantity that is to be minimized or maximized.
  • Look for critical points to locate local extrema.

For the following exercises, answer by proof, counterexample, or explanation.

When you find the maximum for an optimization problem, why do you need to check the sign of the derivative around the critical points?

The critical points can be the minima, maxima, or neither.

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Why do you need to check the endpoints for optimization problems?

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True or False . For every continuous nonlinear function, you can find the value x that maximizes the function.

False; y = x 2 has a minimum only

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True or False . For every continuous nonconstant function on a closed, finite domain, there exists at least one x that minimizes or maximizes the function.

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For the following exercises, set up and evaluate each optimization problem.

To carry a suitcase on an airplane, the length + width + height of the box must be less than or equal to 62 in . Assuming the height is fixed, show that the maximum volume is V = h ( 31 ( 1 2 ) h ) 2 . What height allows you to have the largest volume?

h = 62 3 in.

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You are constructing a cardboard box with the dimensions 2 m by 4 m . You then cut equal-size squares from each corner so you may fold the edges. What are the dimensions of the box with the largest volume?

A rectangle is drawn with height 2 and width 4. Each corner has a square with side length x marked on it.
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Find the positive integer that minimizes the sum of the number and its reciprocal.

1

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Find two positive integers such that their sum is 10 , and minimize and maximize the sum of their squares.

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For the following exercises, consider the construction of a pen to enclose an area.

You have 400 ft of fencing to construct a rectangular pen for cattle. What are the dimensions of the pen that maximize the area?

100 ft by 100 ft

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You have 800 ft of fencing to make a pen for hogs. If you have a river on one side of your property, what is the dimension of the rectangular pen that maximizes the area?

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You need to construct a fence around an area of 1600 ft . What are the dimensions of the rectangular pen to minimize the amount of material needed?

40 ft by 40 ft

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Two poles are connected by a wire that is also connected to the ground. The first pole is 20 ft tall and the second pole is 10 ft tall. There is a distance of 30 ft between the two poles. Where should the wire be anchored to the ground to minimize the amount of wire needed?

Two poles are shown, one that is 10 tall and the other is 20 tall. A right triangle is made with the shorter pole with other side length x. The distance between the two poles is 30.
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[T] You are moving into a new apartment and notice there is a corner where the hallway narrows from 8 ft to 6 ft . What is the length of the longest item that can be carried horizontally around the corner?

An upside L-shaped figure is drawn with the _ part being 6 wide and the | part being 8 wide. There is a line drawn from the _ part to the | part that touches the near corner of the shape to form a hypotenuse for a right triangle the other sides being the the rest of the _ and | parts. This line is marked L.

19.73 ft .

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Practice Key Terms 1

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Source:  OpenStax, Calculus volume 1. OpenStax CNX. Feb 05, 2016 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11964/1.2
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