Optimization Problems

By Tuesday J. Johnson

1
 Suggested Review Topics
• Algebra skills reviews suggested:
– None
• Trigonometric skills reviews suggested:
– None

2
Applications of Differentiation

Optimization Problems

3
 Guidelines for Solving Applied Minimum and
Maximum Problems
1. Identify all given quantities and all quantities to be
determined. If possible, or necessary, make a sketch.
2. Write a preliminary equation for the quantity that is to
be maximized or minimized.
3. Reduce the primary equation to one having a single
independent variable. This may involve the use of
secondary equations relating the independent variables
of the primary equation.
4. Determine the feasible domain of the primary equation.
That is, determine the values for which the stated
problem makes sense.
5. Determine the desired maximum or minimum using the
Calculus techniques we have developed. 4
Find two positive numbers such that the product
is 185 and the sum is a minimum.

• Two positive numbers: let them be 𝑥 and 𝑦.

• The product is 185: 𝑥𝑦 = 185.
• Sum is a minimum: 𝑆 = 𝑥 + 𝑦.

The sum equation is our primary equation. We

want to use the product equation to help
185
eliminate a variable. If 𝑥𝑦 = 185, then 𝑦 = .
𝑥
We can now focus on 𝑆 in one variable.
5
Find two positive numbers such that the product
is 185 and the sum is a minimum.
185
Sum is a minimum: 𝑆 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑥 +
𝑥
The minimum will occur at a critical number so
we find the derivative:
185
𝑆=𝑥+ = 𝑥 + 185𝑥 −1
𝑥
′ −2
185
𝑆 = 1 − 185𝑥 = 1 − 2
𝑥
𝑆’ does not exist at 𝑥 = 0, but this is not a
positive number so let’s solve 𝑆’ = 0.
6
Find two positive numbers such that the product
is 185 and the sum is a minimum.
185
Sum is a minimum: 𝑆 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑥 +
𝑥
185
0=1− 2
𝑥
185
2
=1
𝑥
So 𝑥 2 = 185 and 𝑥 = 185. We only use the
positive square root based on the conditions of
the problem.

7
Find two positive numbers such that the product
is 185 and the sum is a minimum.
185
Sum is a minimum: 𝑆 = 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 𝑥 +
𝑥
185
First derivative: 𝑆′ = 1 −
𝑥2
How do we know 𝑥 = 185 is a minimum?
−3 370
Second derivative: 𝑆" = 2(185)𝑥 = and
𝑥3
𝑆"( 185) is positive. By the 2nd derivative test
this is a minimum.
185
If 𝑥 = 185 and 𝑦 = , then 𝑦 = 185 also.
𝑥
8
Find the length and width of a rectangle that has
a perimeter of 80 meters and a maximum area.

• 𝑃 = 80 = 2𝐿 + 2𝑊 or
• 40 = 𝐿 + 𝑊or W

• 40 − 𝑊 = 𝐿 L

• Primary equation is area with

𝐴 = 𝐿𝑊 = 40 − 𝑊 𝑊 = 40𝑊 − 𝑊 2
𝐴′ = 40 − 2𝑊
𝐴′ = 0 when 0 = 40 − 2𝑊 so 𝑊 = 20. The
second derivative is always negative so this is a
maximum.
9
Find the length and width of a rectangle that has
a perimeter of 80 meters and a maximum area.
• 𝑃 = 80 = 2𝐿 + 2𝑊 or
• 40 = 𝐿 + 𝑊or W

• 40 − 𝑊 = 𝐿 L

• Primary equation is area with

𝐴 = 40𝑊 − 𝑊 2
𝐴′ = 40 − 2𝑊
𝐴′ = 0 so 𝑊 = 20. If 𝑊 = 20, then
𝐿 = 40 – 20 = 20.
A rectangle of max area will always be a square.
10
Find the point on the graph of the function
𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 − 1)2 that is closest to the point (−5,3).

• “Closest to” tells us to find the minimum

distance.
• Using the distance formula and the points
(−5,3) and 𝑥, 𝑥 − 1 2 we have:
𝑑 = (−5 − 𝑥)2 +(3 − 𝑥 − 1 2 )2
This does not look fun, the derivative will be
easier if we simplify the radicand to a
polynomial.

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 𝑑 = (−5 − 𝑥)2 +(3 − 𝑥 − 1 2 )2
𝑑 = 𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 18𝑥 + 29
Now we can find the derivative to find the
minimum:
1 −
1
𝑑 = 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 𝑥 + 18𝑥 + 29 2 (4𝑥 3
′ 4 3 2
2
− 12𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 18)
3 2
4𝑥 − 12𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 18
𝑑′ =
2 𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 18𝑥 + 29
3 2
2𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 𝑥 + 9
𝑑′ =
𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 18𝑥 + 29
12
Find the point on the graph of the function
𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 − 1)2 that is closest to the point (−5,3).

Minimize: 𝑑 = (−5 − 𝑥)2 +(3 − 𝑥 − 1 2 )2

2𝑥 3 −6𝑥 2 +𝑥+9
With 𝑑 ′ =
𝑥 4 −4𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 +18𝑥+29
The derivative will be zero when the numerator is
zero…using techniques from Pre-Calculus we find
this to be at 𝑥 = −1. (The other two roots are
complex).
We could use the 2nd derivative test to see if this is
a minimum, or assume we are excellent at algebra
and trust it!

13
Find the point on the graph of the function
𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 − 1)2 that is closest to the point (−5,3).

Minimize: 𝑑 = (−5 − 𝑥)2 +(3 − 𝑥 − 1 2 )2

2𝑥 3 −6𝑥 2 +𝑥+9
With 𝑑 ′ =
𝑥 4 −4𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 +18𝑥+29

With 𝑥 = −1, 𝑦 = (−1 − 1)2 = 4.

The point (−1,4) on 𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 − 1)2 is closest
to (−5,3)

14
On a given day, the flow rate 𝐹 (cars per hour)
𝑣
on a congested roadway is 𝐹 = 2 where
22+0.02𝑣
𝑣 is the speed of the traffic in miles per hour.
What speed will maximize the flow rate on the
road?
• “Maximize flow rate” tells us to find the
derivative.
22+0.02𝑣 2 1 −𝑣(0.04𝑣) 22−0.02𝑣 2
𝐹′ = =
(22+0.02𝑣 2 )2 (22+0.02𝑣 2 )2

𝐹 ′ = 0 when 22 − 0.02𝑣 2 = 0 so 𝑣 = 1100 ≈

33 mph. Test points confirm this is a max.
15
A solid is formed by adjoining two hemispheres
to the ends of a right circular cylinder. The total
volume of the solid is 14 cubic centimeters. Find
the radius of the cylinder that produces the
minimum surface area.
• Volume of a right circular cylinder and volume
of a sphere combine to give 14.
• Minimize surface area.
• We need some formulas!
4
• 𝑉= 𝜋𝑟 3 + 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ = 14
3
• 𝑆𝐴 = 4𝜋𝑟 2 + 2𝜋𝑟ℎ 16
 4
• 𝑉= 𝜋𝑟 3 + 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ = 14
3
• 𝑆𝐴 = 4𝜋𝑟 2 + 2𝜋𝑟ℎ
• To minimize surface area, we need to
eliminate one of the variables. It seems
easiest to eliminate the h. That is, we will
solve the volume equation for h:
4 3
14 − 𝜋𝑟 14 4
ℎ= 3 = 2− 𝑟
𝜋𝑟 2 𝜋𝑟 3
• Substitute into the surface area equation and
then take the derivative.
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 𝑆𝐴 = 4𝜋𝑟 2 + 2𝜋𝑟ℎ
4
14− 𝜋𝑟 3 14 4
3
With ℎ = = − 𝑟
𝜋𝑟 2 𝜋𝑟 2 3
Makes
2
14 4
𝑆𝐴 = 4𝜋𝑟 + 2𝜋𝑟 2
− 𝑟
𝜋𝑟 3
2
28 8 2
𝑆𝐴 = 4𝜋𝑟 + − 𝜋𝑟
𝑟 3
4 2 28
𝑆𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 +
3 𝑟

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 4 2 28
𝑆𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 +
3 𝑟
Taking the derivative:
′
8 28
𝑆𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 − 2
3 𝑟
When the radius is 0 the surface area does not
exist so let’s solve for 𝑆𝐴’ = 0.
8 28
0 = 𝜋𝑟 − 2
3 𝑟
8 28 3 3 84
𝜋𝑟 = 2 and so 84 = 8𝜋𝑟 making 𝑟 = or
3 𝑟 8𝜋
3 84
𝑟= ≈ 1.495 cm.
8𝜋
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A solid is formed by adjoining two hemispheres
to the ends of a right circular cylinder. The total
volume of the solid is 14 cubic centimeters. Find
the radius of the cylinder that produces the
minimum surface area.
• The radius that minimizes the surface area is
3 84
𝑟= ≈ 1.495 cm.
8𝜋

20
A wooden beam has a rectangular cross section
of height ℎ and width 𝑤. The strength 𝑆 of the
beam is directly proportional to the width and
the square of the height by 𝑆 = 𝑘𝑤ℎ2 , where
the k is the proportionality constant. What are
the dimensions of the strongest beam that can
be cut from a round log of diameter 20 inches?
• “Strongest beam” tells us to maximize the
strength equation given.
• The value k is a constant, but we have two
other variables that we must get down to one.
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A wooden beam has a rectangular cross section
of height ℎ and width 𝑤. What are the
dimensions of the strongest beam, 𝑆 = 𝑘𝑤ℎ2 ,
that can be cut from a round log of diameter 20
inches?
It seems as though we have a Pythagorean
relationship with 𝑤 2 + ℎ2 = 202 .

Since our equation already has an ℎ2 , we can

solve for it and substitute: ℎ2 = 400 − 𝑤 2
So now,
𝑆 = 𝑘𝑤(400 − 𝑤 2 )
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 𝑆 = 𝑘𝑤(400 − 𝑤 2 )
Simplifying we have
𝑆 = 400𝑘𝑤 − 𝑘𝑤 3
Taking the derivative will give
𝑆 ′ = 400𝑘 − 3𝑘𝑤 2
The critical numbers are when 𝑆’ = 0 so
0 = 400𝑘 − 3𝑘𝑤 2
3𝑘𝑤 2 = 400𝑘
2
400𝑘 400
𝑤 = =
3𝑘 3
400 20 20 3
Therefore, 𝑤 = = = ≈ 11.5 inches
3 3 3
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What are the dimensions of the strongest beam
that can be cut from a round log of diameter 20
inches?
400 20 20 3
With, 𝑤 = = = ≈ 11.5 inches and
3 3 3
ℎ2 = 400 − 𝑤 , it must be that
2

2
400 800
ℎ = 400 − =
3 3
800
and so ℎ = ≈ 16.3 inches.
3
The second derivative, 𝑆" = −6𝑘𝑤 which is
negative for all positive widths; this is a max.
24
A man is in a boat 2 miles from the nearest point
on the coast. He is to go to a point Q, located 3
miles down the coast and 1 mile inland. He can
row at 2 miles per hour and walk at 4 miles per
hour. Toward what point on the coast should he
row in order to reach point Q in the least time?
• We can break this into two parts:
– Time on water
– Time on land
𝐷
• 𝐷 = 𝑟𝑡 so 𝑡 =
𝑟
• Pythagoras
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He can row at 2 miles per hour and walk at 4
miles per hour. Toward what point on the coast
should he row in order to reach point Q in the
least time?
𝑥 2 +4
• Water: 𝑑 = 𝑥 2 + 4 so Time =
2
• Land: 𝑑 = (3 − 𝑥)2 +1 = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 10 so
𝑥 2 −6𝑥+10
Time =
4

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“least time” means minimize the total time
𝑥 2 +4 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+10
Total Time = T = +
2 4
The minimum will occur at a critical number:
1 1 −
1
𝑇′ = 𝑥 2 + 4 2 2𝑥
2 2
1 1 2 −
1
+ 𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 10 2 2𝑥 − 6
4 2
𝑥 𝑥 − 3
𝑇′ = +
2 𝑥 2 + 4 4 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 10

27
 𝑥 2 +4 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+10
Total Time = T = +
2 4
First derivative:
′
𝑥 𝑥−3
𝑇 = +
2 𝑥2 + 4 4 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 10
Solving
𝑥 𝑥−3
0= +
2 𝑥 2 + 4 4 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 10
−𝑥 𝑥−3
=
2 𝑥 2 + 4 4 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 10
Square both sides to get…
28
 𝑥 2 +4 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+10
Total Time = T = +
2 4
−𝑥 𝑥−3
=
2 𝑥 2 + 4 4 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 10
Square both sides to get
𝑥2 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9
=
4(𝑥 + 4) 16 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 10
2

Cross multiply to get

16𝑥 4 − 96𝑥 3 + 160𝑥 2
= 4𝑥 4 − 24𝑥 3 + 36𝑥 2 + 16𝑥 2 − 96𝑥 + 144
Or
𝑥 4 − 6𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 12 = 0
29
 𝑥 2 +4 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+10
Total Time = T = +
2 4
Solving
𝑥 4 − 6𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 12 = 0
we get 𝑥 = 1 or 𝑥 ≈ −1.11.
• Rowing a negative distance would be
ridiculous so the man should row toward a
point one mile down the coast to minimize his
travel time.

30
End of Lecture

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