Solution.

We have that f � (x) = 23 x−1/3 = 3· 2√ �

3 x . We note that f (x) �= 0 for any value of x in its

domain; however, f � (x) is undefined at x = 0, hence x = 0 is a critical number of f (x) that lies
in the interval [−1, 8]. We check the value of f (x) for x = −1, 0, and 8. We have that f (−1) = 1,
f (0) = 0, and f (8) = 4. Furthermore, we have that f (x) is continuous on [−1, 8]. By the Extreme
Value Theorem, we conclude that on the closed interval [−1, 8], the absolute minimum of f (x)
occurs at (0, 0), and the absolute maximum of f (x) occurs at (8, 4). �

Maximizing Profit of Loudspeaker Sales. Loudspeaker manufacturer Acrosonic’s total profit

(in dollars) from producing and selling x units of loudspeaker systems is given by the quadratic
function P (x) = −0.02x2 + 300x − 200000, where we have 0 ≤ x ≤ 20000. How many loudspeaker
systems must Acrosonic produce to maximize its profit?

Solution. We have that P � (x) = −0.04x + 300, hence the only critical number of P (x) is given
by x = 7500. We note that x = 7500 lies in the interval [0, 20000], hence we check the value of
P (x) for x = 0, 7500, and 20000. We have that P (0) = −200000 (negative profit makes sense to
certain audiences), P (7500) = 925000, and P (20000) = −2200000. Furthermore, we have that
P (x) is continuous on [0, 20000]. By the Extreme Value Theorem, we conclude that Acrosonic
must produce 7,500 loudspeaker systems to maximize its profit at $925,000. �

Flight of a Rocket. Researchers at NASA estimate that the altitude (in feet) of a test rocket
t seconds into flight is given by the cubic function s(t) = −t3 + 96t2 + 5 for t ≥ 0. Find the
maximum altitude attained by the rocket. Find the maximum velocity attained by the rocket.

Solution. Observe that s(t) is a continuous function, hence it makes sense to apply the Extreme
Value Theorem; however, we need a closed interval for this. We will cross this bridge when we
come to it. We have that s� (t) = −3t2 + 192t = −3t(t − 64), hence the critical numbers of s(t) are
t = 0 and t = 64. Observe that s(t) has a relative maximum at (64, 131077) since s� (t) changes
sign from positive to negative. We will prove that this an absolute maximum for some closed
interval. Using the Intermediate Value Theorem, there exists a z in [0, ∞) such that s(z) = 0.
Furthermore, because s(t) has a relative maximum at t = 64, we can guarantee that z > 64.
Considering the closed interval [0, z], the Extreme Value Theorem guarantees that (64, 131077)
is an absolute maximum on this interval, hence the maximum altitude attained by the rocket
is 131,077 feet. Consider the quadratic function v(t) = s� (t) = −3t2 + 192t. We have that
v � (t) = −6t + 192, hence the only critical number of v(t) is t = 32. Observe that v(t) has a
relative maximum at (32, 3072) since v � (t) changes sign from positive to negative. Furthermore,
observe that v �� (t) = −6, hence v(t) is concave down for all t. We conclude from this analysis that
the maximum velocity attained by the rocket is 3,072 feet per second. �

4.5 Optimization, Part II

Recall from the previous section that the Extreme Value Theorem guarantees that every func-
tion that is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] achieves both its absolute maximum and abso-
lute minimum values on [a, b]. Our objective in this section is to exploit the Extreme Value The-
orem even further to achieve an optimal solution to several real-life examples. Unfortunately, in
real life, it is up to us to create the mathematical models (i.e., the functions) that we wish to op-
timize. Consider the following guidelines for solving optimization problems.

52
Guidelines for Solving Optimization Problems. Use the following algorithm to find and
solve mathematical models for optimization problems.
1.) Use a letter to denote each variable in the problem. Use diagrams and figures, if necessary.

2.) Find an expression for the quantity to be optimized.

3.) Use the conditions given in the problem to write the quantity to be optimized as a function
of one variable. Pay attention to any restrictions placed on the domain of the function from
the physical considerations of the problem.

4.) Optimize the function over its domain using the methods of the previous section.

4.5.1 Maximization Problems

Fencing a Garden. Consider building a rectangular garden with 50 feet of fencing. Find the
dimensions for the largest garden (in terms of area) using all of the fencing.

Solution. Let � and w denote the length and width of the garden, respectively, and let a denote
the area of the garden. Observe that we have a = � · w, and we wish to maximize a. Further, note
that the perimeter of the garden must be 50 feet, hence we have that 50 = 2� + 2w. By solving
the latter equation in terms of �, we find that � = 25 − w. We substitute this equation in � into
the area equation to obtain the quadratic function a(w) = 25w − w2 . Of course, our area must
be non-negative, hence we have the constraint that 0 ≤ w ≤ 25, and the domain of a(w) is the
closed interval [0, 25]. We note that a(w) is a continuous function, hence by the Extreme Value
Theorem, a(w) achieves an absolute maximum either at one of the endpoints of [0, 25] or at the
critical number(s) of a(w) in the interval (0, 25). Observe that we have a� (w) = 25 − 2w, from
which it follows that a� (w) = 0 if and only if w = 12.5. Checking a(w) for w = 0, 12.5, and 25
reveals that a(0) = 0 = a(25) and a(12.5) = 156.25. We conclude that the absolute maximum of
a(w) occurs at (12.5, 156.25). By solving for �, we find that � = 12.5. We conclude that a 12.5 foot
× 12.5 foot garden gives a maximum area of 156.25 square feet. �

Boxing Cereal. Cutting away identical squares from each corner of a rectangular piece of card-
board and folding up the resulting flaps, a piece of cardboard may be turned into an open box for
your favorite cereal. Given that a piece of cardboard is 16” long and 10” wide, find the dimen-
sions of the box that will yield the maximum volume of cereal.

Solution. Let x denote the length (in inches) of one side of each of the identical squares to be cut
out of the cardboard. Let v denote the volume of the resulting box. Observe that the length of
the resulting box is 16 − 2x inches; the width of the resulting box is 10 − 2x inches; and the height
of the resulting box is x inches. Recalling that the volume of a box is the product of the length,
width, and height, we conclude that v(x) = (16 − 2x)(10 − 2x)x = 4(x3 − 13x2 + 40x). Of course,
our volume must be non-negative, hence we have that 0 ≤ x ≤ 5, and the domain of v(x) is
the closed interval [0, 5]. We note that v(x) is a continuous function, hence by the Extreme Value
Theorem, v(x) achieves an absolute maximum either at one of the endpoints of [0, 5] or at the
critical number(s) of v(x) in the interval (0, 5). Observe that we have v � (x) = 4(3x2 − 26x + 40) =
4(3x − 20)(x − 2), from which it follows that v � (x) = 0 if and only if x = 20 3
or x = 2; however,
20 2
x = 3 = 6 3 is not in the interval (0, 5), hence we check v(x) for x = 0, 2, and 5. We find that
v(0) = 0 = v(5) and v(2) = 144. We conclude that the absolute maximum of v(x) occurs at
(2, 144), and therefore, a 12” × 6” × 2” box gives a maximum volume of 144 cubic inches. �

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4.5.2 Minimization Problems
Packaging Corned Beef Hash. Betty Moore Company requires that its aluminum right circu-
lar cylinder corned beef hash containers have a capacity of 54 cubic inches. Determine the radius
and height of the container that requires the least amount of metal.

Solution. We require a bit of knowledge of right circular cylinders for this problem, but we can
easily come up with that by intuition. Let r (in inches) denote the radius of a right circular cylin-
der, and let h (in inches) denote the height of a right circular cylinder. Put in layman’s terms,
a right circular cylinder is a canned-shape object formed by taking the circumference of a circle,
stretching it by some height, and gluing it together with two circles on top and bottom. We con-
clude from this description that the surface area of a right circular cylinder is given by the im-
plicit equation s = 2πrh + 2πr2 . We wish to minimize s subject to the constraint that the volume
of the corned beef hash is 54 cubic inches, hence we must have that πr2 h = 54. By solving the
54
latter equation in terms of h, we find that h = πr 2 . We substitute this equation in h into the sur-

face area equation to obtain the rational function s(r) = 2πr2 + 108 r
. We note that the radius must
be positive, hence the domain of s(r) is (0, ∞). We cannot rely on the Extreme Value Theorem
here because s(r) is a rational function with no horizontal asymptotes and no x-intercepts, hence
we cannot feasibly obtain a closed interval on which to test critical numbers. We proceed by a
concavity argument. Observe that we have s� (r) = 4πr − 108 r2
, and we wish to find where s� (r) = 0.
We have that s� (r) = 0 if and only if 4πr = 108 r2
. By multiplying both sides by r2 and dividing
both sides by 4π, we have that s� (r) = 0 if and only if r3 = 27 π
. By taking the cube root of r, we
3
find that s� (r) = 0 if and only if r = √3π ≈ 2. Further, observe that we have s�� (r) = 4π + 216
r3
>0
� 3
� 3
for all r, hence in particular, we have that s�� √3π > 0, and we conclude that r = √ 3 π gives an

absolute minimum of s(r). Using our formula for h in terms of r, we find that

54 54 54 54π 2/3 6
h= = � � 2 = � � 2 = = = 2r ≈ 4.
πr2 3 3 9π π 1/3
π √ π 1/3
3
π π

We conclude that the container that requires the least amount of aluminum has a radius of ap-
proximately 2” and a height of approximately 4”. �

5 Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

5.1 Exponential Functions and Graphs
Exponential functions play an important role in many real-world models — from investment to
biology and beyond — and possess very nice characteristics that are readily observed. Recall that
whenever b is a positive real number and r is any real number, the expression br is a positive real
number. We expound upon this fundamental idea to obtain exponential functions.
Definition. Given a positive real number b �= 1, we say that f (x) = bx is an exponential func-
tion with base b and exponent x. Like we said before, the domain of f (x) is R.
Computations involving exponentials are facilitated by the following familiar exponent laws.

Laws of Exponents. Let a and b be positive real numbers. Let m and n be any real numbers.

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