11 APPLICATIONS OF MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM FINDING a maximum or a minimum (Lesson 10) has its application in pure mathematics, where we could find the largest rectangle that has a given perimeter. It also has its application to commercial problems, such as finding the least dimensions of a carton that is to contain a given volume. Example 1. Find the dimensions of the rectangle that, for a given perimeter, will have the largest area. Solution. Let the base of the rectangle be x, let its height be y, let A be its area, and let P be the given perimeter. Then P = 2x + 2y, and A = xy. Since we are going to maximize A, we would like to have A as a function only of x. And we can do that because in the expression for P we can solve for y: y = ½(P − 2x) = ½P − x. Therefore,
The base is one quarter of the perimeter. We can now find the value of y: y = ½P − ¼P = ¼P. The height is also one quarter of the perimeter. That figure is a square The rectangle that has the largest area for a given perimeter (Note: The value we found is a maximum, because the second derivative is negative.) All maximum-minimum problems follow this same procedure:
In the following, notice how we follow these steps. Example 2. A box having a square base and an open top is to contain 108 cubic feet. What should its dimensions be so that the material to make it will be a minimum? That is, what dimensions will cost the least? Solution. Let x be the side of the square base, and let y be its height. Then
Now, how shall we express y in terms of x? We have not yet used the fact that the volume must be 108 cubic feet. The volume is equal to x²y = 108. Therefore,
These are the dimensions that will cost the least. Example 3. Find the dimensions of the rectangle with the most area that can be inscribed in a semi-circle of radius r. Show, in fact, that the area of that rectangle is r². Solution. First, it should be clear that there is a rectangle with the greatest area, as the figures above show. Let x be the base of the rectangle, and let y be its height. Then, since r is the radius:
Let A be the area we want to maximize. A = xy. That is,
The area of this largest rectangle, then, is Problem 1. Find two numbers whose sum is 42 and whose product will be the largest. (Hint: Call the two numbers x and y. For convenience, call the product something. You will then have two equations in two unknowns. Express the product as function of a single variable, and find its maximum.) To see the answer, pass your mouse over the colored area. The two numbers are 21 and 21. Problem 2. You have a given length of fence. Using the wall of a house as one side of a rectangular fence, how would you place the fence around the other three sides in order to enclose the largest possible area? Place half the fence parallel to the house. Problem 3. Find the dimensions of the rectangle of maximum area that can be inscribed in a circle of radius r. Show, in fact, that that area will be 2r². That figure is a square. Each side of the square is r. Problem 4. A can is to be constructed in the form of a right circular cylinder. If it is to contain a given volume V, what dimensions will require the least amount of material? Show, in fact, that the height h of the can must equal its width, which is twice the radius r. V = πr²h. First, the top and bottom of the can are each a circle. And the area of the lateral surface is equivalent to a rectangle whose dimensions are 2πr × h. Therefore,
From the formula for V, express h in terms of r.
Therefore,
A therefore has a minimum at
Compare Lesson 29 of Algebra, Problem 2. The height of the can must equal its width, which is 2r. Problem 5. Find the volume V of the largest right circular cone that can be inscribed in a sphere of radius r.
Let P be the center of the sphere of radius r. Let APB be the height of the cone, and call that height h. Then PB = h − r. Let s be the radius of the cone. Then
We want to maximize V as a function of h alone. Therefore we must express s in terms of h and the constant r. Now, s and h − r are the sides of a right triangle. Therefore,
V therefore has a maximum at
That maximum volume is:
Next Lesson: Derivatives of trigonometric functions www.proyectosalonhogar.com |