Max Min Word Problems

Our approach to max min word problems is modeled after our

approach to related rates word problems. We will
Max Min Word Problems

Our approach to max min word problems is modeled after our

approach to related rates word problems. We will
1. draw a sketch of the situation;
Max Min Word Problems

Our approach to max min word problems is modeled after our

approach to related rates word problems. We will
1. draw a sketch of the situation;
2. label every quantity that can vary with a letter;
Max Min Word Problems

Our approach to max min word problems is modeled after our

approach to related rates word problems. We will
1. draw a sketch of the situation;
2. label every quantity that can vary with a letter;
3. write down the information of the problem in terms of those
letters;
Max Min Word Problems

Our approach to max min word problems is modeled after our

approach to related rates word problems. We will
1. draw a sketch of the situation;
2. label every quantity that can vary with a letter;
3. write down the information of the problem in terms of those
letters;
4. write down other relevant facts;
Max Min Word Problems

Our approach to max min word problems is modeled after our

approach to related rates word problems. We will
1. draw a sketch of the situation;
2. label every quantity that can vary with a letter;
3. write down the information of the problem in terms of those
letters;
4. write down other relevant facts;
5. restate and solve the problem;
Max Min Word Problems

Our approach to max min word problems is modeled after our

approach to related rates word problems. We will
1. draw a sketch of the situation;
2. label every quantity that can vary with a letter;
3. write down the information of the problem in terms of those
letters;
4. write down other relevant facts;
5. restate and solve the problem;
6. guarantee that our solution is as claimed.
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
x + 2y = 100

x
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
x + 2y = 100
Area = A = xy =
(100 − 2y )y =
100y − 2y 2 . y

x
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
x + 2y = 100
Area = A = xy =
(100 − 2y )y =
100y − 2y 2 . y

We wish to
x
find the maximum value
of A and the values of x
and y that produce that
maximum value of A.
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
x + 2y = 100
Area = A = xy =
(100 − 2y )y =
100y − 2y 2 . y

We wish to
x
find the maximum value
of A and the values of x
and y that produce that
maximum value of A.
x ≥ 0 and y ≥ 0.
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
x + 2y = 100
Area = A = xy =
(100 − 2y )y =
100y − 2y 2 . y

We wish to
x
find the maximum value
of A and the values of x
and y that produce that
maximum value of A.
x ≥ 0 and y ≥ 0. Since x = 100 − 2y , we see that 100 − 2y ≥ 0.
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
x + 2y = 100
Area = A = xy =
(100 − 2y )y =
100y − 2y 2 . y

We wish to
x
find the maximum value
of A and the values of x
and y that produce that
maximum value of A.
x ≥ 0 and y ≥ 0. Since x = 100 − 2y , we see that 100 − 2y ≥ 0.
So 100 ≥ 2y and 50 ≥ y .
Biggest Garden
Example 1. Problem. A farmer plans to make a rectangular
garden. One side will be against a long barn. He has 100 ft of
fencing that he will use to surround the other three sides. What
are the dimensions of the garden of maximum area?
x + 2y = 100
Area = A = xy =
(100 − 2y )y =
100y − 2y 2 . y

We wish to
x
find the maximum value
of A and the values of x
and y that produce that
maximum value of A.
x ≥ 0 and y ≥ 0. Since x = 100 − 2y , we see that 100 − 2y ≥ 0.
So 100 ≥ 2y and 50 ≥ y . That is, 0 ≤ y ≤ 50.
Biggest Garden

So we use our techniques for finding the maximum value of a

function on a closed interval when the function is continuous there.
Biggest Garden

So we use our techniques for finding the maximum value of a

function on a closed interval when the function is continuous there.
These apply since 100y − 2y 2 is a polynomial and so continuous
everywhere.
Biggest Garden

So we use our techniques for finding the maximum value of a

function on a closed interval when the function is continuous there.
These apply since 100y − 2y 2 is a polynomial and so continuous
everywhere.
dA
= 100 − 4y .
dy
Biggest Garden

So we use our techniques for finding the maximum value of a

function on a closed interval when the function is continuous there.
These apply since 100y − 2y 2 is a polynomial and so continuous
everywhere.
dA
= 100 − 4y .
dy
dA
A is differentiable everywhere, and = 0 iff y = 25.
dy
Biggest Garden

So we use our techniques for finding the maximum value of a

function on a closed interval when the function is continuous there.
These apply since 100y − 2y 2 is a polynomial and so continuous
everywhere.
dA
= 100 − 4y .
dy
dA
A is differentiable everywhere, and = 0 iff y = 25.
dy
If y = 0, then A = 0.
Biggest Garden

So we use our techniques for finding the maximum value of a

function on a closed interval when the function is continuous there.
These apply since 100y − 2y 2 is a polynomial and so continuous
everywhere.
dA
= 100 − 4y .
dy
dA
A is differentiable everywhere, and = 0 iff y = 25.
dy
If y = 0, then A = 0.
If y = 25, then A = 100 · 25 − 2 · 252 = (100 − 50)25 > 0.
Biggest Garden

So we use our techniques for finding the maximum value of a

function on a closed interval when the function is continuous there.
These apply since 100y − 2y 2 is a polynomial and so continuous
everywhere.
dA
= 100 − 4y .
dy
dA
A is differentiable everywhere, and = 0 iff y = 25.
dy
If y = 0, then A = 0.
If y = 25, then A = 100 · 25 − 2 · 252 = (100 − 50)25 > 0.
If y = 50, then x = 100 − 2 · 50 = 0, and A = 0 · 50 = 0.
Biggest Garden

So we use our techniques for finding the maximum value of a

function on a closed interval when the function is continuous there.
These apply since 100y − 2y 2 is a polynomial and so continuous
everywhere.
dA
= 100 − 4y .
dy
dA
A is differentiable everywhere, and = 0 iff y = 25.
dy
If y = 0, then A = 0.
If y = 25, then A = 100 · 25 − 2 · 252 = (100 − 50)25 > 0.
If y = 50, then x = 100 − 2 · 50 = 0, and A = 0 · 50 = 0.
So the maximum area occurs with y = 25 and x = 100 − 2y = 50.
Closest Point

Example 2. Problem. Find the point on y = x 2 closest to the

point h3, 0i.
Closest Point

Example 2. Problem. Find the point on y = x 2 closest to the

point h3, 0i.
We let hx, y i be a point on the curve, and we let
d be the distance between hx, y i and h3, 0i. 6

y 3

1 d

K3 K2 K1 0 1 2 3
x
K1
Closest Point

Example 2. Problem. Find the point on y = x 2 closest to the

point h3, 0i.
We let hx, y i be a point on the curve, and we let
d bepthe distance between hx,p y i and h3, 0i. So 6

d = (x − 3) + (y − 0) = (x − 3)2 + y 2 .
2 2
5

y 3

1 d

K3 K2 K1 0 1 2 3
x
K1
Closest Point

Example 2. Problem. Find the point on y = x 2 closest to the

point h3, 0i.
We let hx, y i be a point on the curve, and we let
d bepthe distance between hx,p y i and h3, 0i. So 6

d = (x − 3) + (y − 0) = (x − 3)2 + y 2 .
2 2
5

We want to find the point hx, y i 4

that gives the minimum value for the distance d. y 3

1 d

K3 K2 K1 0 1 2 3
x
K1
Closest Point

Example 2. Problem. Find the point on y = x 2 closest to the

point h3, 0i.
We let hx, y i be a point on the curve, and we let
d bepthe distance between hx,p y i and h3, 0i. So 6

d = (x − 3) + (y − 0) = (x − 3)2 + y 2 .
2 2
5

We want to find the point hx, y i 4

that gives the minimum value for the distance d. y 3

Remark 2

We let s = d 2 . So s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 . 1 d

K3 K2 K1 0 1 2 3
x
K1
Closest Point

Example 2. Problem. Find the point on y = x 2 closest to the

point h3, 0i.
We let hx, y i be a point on the curve, and we let
d bepthe distance between hx,p y i and h3, 0i. So 6

d = (x − 3) + (y − 0) = (x − 3)2 + y 2 .
2 2
5

We want to find the point hx, y i 4

that gives the minimum value for the distance d. y 3

Remark 2

We let s = d 2 . So s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 . The 1 d

minimum value for s and the minimum value for K3 K2 K1 0 1 2 3

x
K1
d will occur at the same point. (Why?)
Closest Point

Example 2. Problem. Find the point on y = x 2 closest to the

point h3, 0i.
We let hx, y i be a point on the curve, and we let
d bepthe distance between hx,p y i and h3, 0i. So 6

d = (x − 3) + (y − 0) = (x − 3)2 + y 2 .
2 2
5

We want to find the point hx, y i 4

that gives the minimum value for the distance d. y 3

Remark 2

We let s = d 2 . So s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 . The 1 d

minimum value for s and the minimum value for K3 K2 K1 0 1 2 3

x
K1
d will occur at the same point. (Why?) So we
will work with s instead of d.
Closest Point

Example 2. Problem. Find the point on y = x 2 closest to the

point h3, 0i.
We let hx, y i be a point on the curve, and we let
d bepthe distance between hx,p y i and h3, 0i. So 6

d = (x − 3) + (y − 0) = (x − 3)2 + y 2 .
2 2
5

We want to find the point hx, y i 4

that gives the minimum value for the distance d. y 3

Remark 2

We let s = d 2 . So s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 . The 1 d

minimum value for s and the minimum value for K3 K2 K1 0 1 2 3

x
K1
d will occur at the same point. (Why?) So we
will work with s instead of d. This approach is
frequently useful in max min distance problems.
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 =
dx
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) =
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
4(x − 1)(x 2 + 2( 21 )x + 14 + 54 ) =
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
4(x − 1)(x 2 + 2( 21 )x + 14 + 54 ) = 4(x − 1)((x + 12 )2 + 54 ).
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
4(x − 1)(x 2 + 2( 21 )x + 14 + 54 ) = 4(x − 1)((x + 12 )2 + 54 ).
Remark
Let g (x) = 2x 3 + x − 3.
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
4(x − 1)(x 2 + 2( 21 )x + 14 + 54 ) = 4(x − 1)((x + 12 )2 + 54 ).
Remark
Let g (x) = 2x 3 + x − 3. Note that g (1) = 0.
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
4(x − 1)(x 2 + 2( 21 )x + 14 + 54 ) = 4(x − 1)((x + 12 )2 + 54 ).
Remark
Let g (x) = 2x 3 + x − 3. Note that g (1) = 0. So (x − 1) divides
2x 3 + x − 3.
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
4(x − 1)(x 2 + 2( 21 )x + 14 + 54 ) = 4(x − 1)((x + 12 )2 + 54 ).
Remark
Let g (x) = 2x 3 + x − 3. Note that g (1) = 0. So (x − 1) divides
2x 3 + x − 3. We find the quotient by long division.
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
4(x − 1)(x 2 + 2( 21 )x + 14 + 54 ) = 4(x − 1)((x + 12 )2 + 54 ).
Remark
Let g (x) = 2x 3 + x − 3. Note that g (1) = 0. So (x − 1) divides
2x 3 + x − 3. We find the quotient by long division. Also, we find
that x 2 + x + 23 = (x + 21 )2 + 54 by “completing the square”.
Closest Point

Now s = (x − 3)2 + y 2 = (x − 3)2 + x 4 since y = x 2 .

Note that s is a polynomial and so continuous everywhere.
As usual, we compute the derivative of s.
ds
So = 2(x − 3) + 4x 3 = 2(2x 3 + x − 3) =
dx
2(x − 1)(2x 2 + 2x + 3) = 4(x − 1)(x 2 + x + 23 ) =
4(x − 1)(x 2 + 2( 21 )x + 14 + 54 ) = 4(x − 1)((x + 12 )2 + 54 ).
Remark
Let g (x) = 2x 3 + x − 3. Note that g (1) = 0. So (x − 1) divides
2x 3 + x − 3. We find the quotient by long division. Also, we find
that x 2 + x + 23 = (x + 21 )2 + 54 by “completing the square”.
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 5
4 ≥ 5
4 > 0 for all x.
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 54 ≥ 54 > 0 for all x.

So if x < 1, then x − 1 < 0,
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 54 ≥ 54 > 0 for all x.

So if x < 1, then x − 1 < 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) < 0.
dx
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 54 ≥ 54 > 0 for all x.

So if x < 1, then x − 1 < 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) < 0.
dx
So s is decreasing on (−∞, 1].
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 54 ≥ 54 > 0 for all x.

So if x < 1, then x − 1 < 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) < 0.
dx
So s is decreasing on (−∞, 1].
So if x > 1, then x − 1 > 0,
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 54 ≥ 54 > 0 for all x.

So if x < 1, then x − 1 < 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) < 0.
dx
So s is decreasing on (−∞, 1].
So if x > 1, then x − 1 > 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) > 0.
dx
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 54 ≥ 54 > 0 for all x.

So if x < 1, then x − 1 < 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) < 0.
dx
So s is decreasing on (−∞, 1].
So if x > 1, then x − 1 > 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) > 0.
dx
So s is increasing on [1, ∞).
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 54 ≥ 54 > 0 for all x.

So if x < 1, then x − 1 < 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) < 0.
dx
So s is decreasing on (−∞, 1].
So if x > 1, then x − 1 > 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) > 0.
dx
So s is increasing on [1, ∞).
So the absolute minimum value for s (and d) occurs with x = 1.
Closest Point

(x + 12 )2 + 54 ≥ 54 > 0 for all x.

So if x < 1, then x − 1 < 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) < 0.
dx
So s is decreasing on (−∞, 1].
So if x > 1, then x − 1 > 0, and so
ds
= 4(x − 1)((x + 21 )2 + 54 ) > 0.
dx
So s is increasing on [1, ∞).
So the absolute minimum value for s (and d) occurs with x = 1.
So h1, 1i is the point on y = x 2 closest to h3, 0i.