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Devona Rajendran - Optimization Assignment

The document outlines an optimization assignment consisting of seven problems that involve applying derivatives to find maximum or minimum values in various scenarios, such as maximizing area with a fixed perimeter, minimizing surface area of a box, and maximizing revenue for a company. Each problem provides a specific task and hints on how to approach the solution using derivatives and constraints. The assignment is due on March 27th and is worth a total of 35 points.

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26 views2 pages

Devona Rajendran - Optimization Assignment

The document outlines an optimization assignment consisting of seven problems that involve applying derivatives to find maximum or minimum values in various scenarios, such as maximizing area with a fixed perimeter, minimizing surface area of a box, and maximizing revenue for a company. Each problem provides a specific task and hints on how to approach the solution using derivatives and constraints. The assignment is due on March 27th and is worth a total of 35 points.

Uploaded by

devona1826
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIT 3 APPLICATIONS OF DERIVATIVES Due

Date: March 27th


Optimization Assignment
/35
Problem 1: Maximum Area with a Fixed Perimeter
A farmer has 100 meters of fencing and wants to enclose a rectangular field.
 Task: Determine the dimensions of the rectangle that maximize the enclosed
area.
 Hint: Express the area as a function of one variable using the perimeter
constraint, then find the derivative and set it equal to zero to locate the
maximum.

Problem 2: Minimizing the Surface Area of a Box


A manufacturer wants to design an open-top box with a volume of 32,000 cm³.
 Task: Find the dimensions of the box (length, width, and height) that
minimize the surface area.
 Hint: Use the volume constraint to express one variable in terms of the
others and then minimize the surface area function.

Problem 3: The Cylindrical Can


A can must hold 500 ml of liquid (where 1 ml = 1 cm³).
 Task: Determine the radius and height of the can that minimize the amount
of material used (i.e., minimize the surface area).
 Hint: Write the volume formula and surface area formula for a closed
cylinder, then use the volume constraint to express one variable in terms of
the other.

Problem 4: Maximum Revenue Problem


A company’s revenue R(x) (in dollars) from selling x items is modeled by the
function

R ( x )=−5 x 2+ 200 x−1500


 Task: Find the number of items the company should sell to maximize
revenue.
 Hint: The revenue function is quadratic. Find its vertex to determine the
maximum revenue.
Problem 5: Optimal Fencing Along a River
A farmer wants to create a rectangular pen along a straight river such that the river
forms one side of the pen. The farmer has 120 meters of fencing available for the
other three sides.
 Task: Determine the dimensions of the pen that will maximize the area.
 Hint: Only three sides need fencing. Set up the area function in terms of one
variable and optimize.

Problem 6: Closest Point on a Parabola


Find the point on the parabola y=x 2 that is closest to the point (0,4).

 Task: Determine the coordinates of the point on the parabola that minimizes
the distance to (0, 4).
 Hint: Minimize the square of the distance to avoid the square root, then
differentiate with respect to x and set the derivative equal to zero.

Problem 7: Minimizing Travel Time


A lifeguard must run along a beach and then swim in the water to reach a drowning
swimmer. The lifeguard runs at 8 km/h and swims at 4 km/h. The swimmer is
located 200 meters offshore and 300 meters along the beach from the lifeguard’s
starting point.
 Task: Determine the point along the beach where the lifeguard should enter
the water to minimize the total travel time.
 Hint: Express the total time as a function of the distance along the beach,
then differentiate and solve for the minimum.

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