May 7

Section 4.6.   Optimization Problems

objective:

• to be able to apply calculus to solve optimization problems

1. What is the unknown?  What are the given quantities?  What are the given conditions?
2. Draw a diagram.
3. Introduce notation.
4. Express the variable of the quantity to be optimized in terms of other symbols.
5. Find relationships among the variables.
6. Find the absolute extrema.

solved problems - using key ideas

• finding the greatest area of a rectangle given perimeter, #1
• finding the greatest volume of a box with a certain surface area, #3
• finding the least distance between a function and a point, #7
• finding greatest area of an odd shape with given perimeter, #13
• study of beehives, #19

group work
none

announcements
Homework. #2,4,8,18
Extra credit (5 points) #26 or 32
 

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Find (2i)3 + (2i)2 + 2i + 1.

SOLUTION