MAXIMA &
MINIMA
After knowing the critical values,
critical point, relative maxima and
minima, and points of inflection, we
can go to some applications in solving
word problems, i.e., problems
involving maximizing and minimizing
a certain quantity in relation to other
quantities with a given value.
Problems of this type can easily be
recognized because of the key words
like: maximum, biggest, largest,
highest, most, minimum, smallest,
lowest, least, and shortest.
Recall some basic formulas of mensuration
1. Triangles
P=a+b+c Perimeter
A = (1/2)bh Area
2. Rectangles
P = 2L + 2W
A = LW
3. Circles
C = 2r = d
A = r2 = d2/4
4. Trapezoid
A = (1/2)(B + b)h
where : B = longer base
b = shorter base
h = altitude
5. Circular Sector
A = (1/2)r2
where: r = radius
= central angle measures in radian
6. Right Circular Cylinder
S = 2rh
V = r2h
where: S = lateral surface area
V = volume
r = radius of the base
h = height or altitude
7. Right Circular Cone
S = rl
V = (1/3)r2h
where: r = radius
l = slant height given
l = r 2 + h2
h = height or altitude
8. Sphere
S = 4r2
V = (4/3)r3
9. Rectangular Parallelopiped
V = abc
SA = 2(ab + ac + bc)
Example 1.
Find the height and the radius of the right
circular cylinder of maximum volume which can be
inscribed in a sphere of given radius R.
Solution:
R2 = (h/2)2 + r2
Let R = radius of sphere, R is constant
r = radius of cylinder, r is changing
h = height of the cylinder, h is changing
Required: h and r of the right circular cylinder
Quantity to be maximized: Volume of cylinder
V = r2h
Condition: (h/2)2 = R2 – r2
V = r2h
h2/4 = R2 – r2
h2 = 4(R2 – r2)
h = 2 R2 – r2
V = r2(2 R2 – r2 )
= 2r2 R2 – r2
V = 2r2(R2 – r2)1/2
V ’ = 2[r2(1/2)(R2 – r2)-1/2(0 – 2r) + (R2 – r2)1/2(2r)]
= 2[r2(1/2)(R2 – r2)-1/2(-2r) + 2r(R2 – r2)1/2]
= -2[r3(R2 – r2)-1/2 – 2r(R2 – r2)1/2]
= -2r[r2/(R2 – r2)1/2 – 2(R2 – r2)1/2]
= -2r[(r2 – 2(R2 – r2))/(R2 – r2)1/2]
= -2r[(r2 – 2R2 + 2r2)/(R2 – r2)1/2]
= -2r[(3r2 – 2R2)/(R2 – r2)1/2]
Set V ’ = 0
0 = -2r[(3r2 – 2R2)/(R2 – r2)1/2]
0 = -2r(3r2 – 2R2)
Equate each factor to zero
-2r = 0 (3r2 – 2R2) = 0
r=0 3r2 = 2R2
2R2
r2 =
3
2
r=R
3
From V ’ = = -2[(3r3 – 2rR2)/(R2 – r2)1/2]
(R2 – r2)1/2(9r2 – 2R2) – (3r3 – 2rR2)(1/2)(R2 – r2)−1/2 (−2r)
V”= - 2[ ]
[(R2 – r2)1/2]2
2R2 2
Replace r2 by 3
and r by R 3
.
V ” = -8 3R < 0 maximum
2 R 2 𝑅 6
r=R 3
or 3
or 3
Solve for h
h = 2 R2 – r2
2R2
Replace r2 by
3
2R2
h=2∙ R2 –
3
3R2 − 2R2
=2∙
3
R2
=2∙
3
= 2R/ 3
h = 2R 3 / 3 Answer
Example 2.
An open box is to be made with a capacity of
36,000 cubic centimeters. Find the least material
used in making the box if the length is twice its
width.
Solution:
Let h = height, changing
l = length, changing
w = width, changing
Quantity to be minimized: Area of the open box
A = lw + 2wh + 2lh
Condition: l = 2w
V = 36,000cm3
V = lwh
h = 18,000/w2
A = lw + 2wh + 2lh
A = (2w)(w) + (2w)(18,000/w2) + (2)(2w)(18,000/w2)
A = 2w2 + 36,000/w + 72,000/w
𝑤 0 − 36,000(1) 𝑤 0 − 72,000(1)
A’ = 4w + +
𝑤2 𝑤2
36,000(1) 72,000(1)
= 4w – –
𝑤2 𝑤2
4𝑤 3 − 108,000
A’ =
𝑤2
Set A’ = 0
4𝑤 3 − 108,000
0=
𝑤2
0 = 4w3 – 108,000
4w3 = 108,000
108,000
w3 =
4
w3 = 27,000
w = 3 27,000
w = 30 critical value to be tested whether the
area of the open box is minimized.
𝑤 2 12𝑤 2 − 0 − 4𝑤 3 −108,000 (2𝑤)
A’’ =
𝑤4
12𝑤 4 − 8𝑤 4 + 216,000𝑤
=
𝑤4
4𝑤 4 + 216,000𝑤
=
𝑤4
𝑤(4𝑤 3 + 216,000)
=
𝑤4
4𝑤 3 + 216,000
=
𝑤3
If w = 30, then
4(30)3 + 216,000
A’’ =
(30)3
4 27,000 + 216,000
=
27,000
108,000 + 216,000
=
27,000
324,000
=
27,000
A’’ = 12 > 0 minimized
Solve for l
l = 2w
l = 2(30)
l = 60
Solve for h
18,000
h=
𝑤2
18,000
h=
(30)2
18,000
h=
900
h = 20
A = lw + 2wh + 2lh
= (60)(30) + 2(30)(20) + 2(60)(20)
= 1,800 + 1,200 + 2,400
A = 5,400 cm2 area of the open box (quantity
to be minimized)
Answer Exercise #12.
