Name: Block: Date: __________ AP Calculus

4.4 Modeling and Optimization

(Extreme Value Problems)
Method for solving extreme value problems
Step 1. Draw an appropriate figure and label the quantities relevant to the problem.
Step 2. Find a formula for the quantity to be maximized or minimized. This is called
developing a “mathematical model” for the problem.
Step 3. Using the conditions stated in the problem to eliminate variables, express the
quantity to be maximized or minimized as a function of one variable.
Step 4. Find the interval of possible values for this variable from the physical restrictions
in the problem. (This can be done using the graph of the function.)
Step 5. Use techniques to obtain the maximum or minimum (use calculus to identify the
critical points and endpoints – can always use the graph to verify )

Example 1
Find two numbers whose sum is 20 and whose product is as large as possible.

Example 2.
Find the dimensions of a rectangle with perimeter 100 m whose area is as large as possible.
Example 3.
What is the smallest perimeter possible for a rectangle whose area is 64 cm 2 .

Example 4.
A farmer has 200 m of fencing and wants to fence off a rectangular field that borders a straight
river. He needs no fence along the river. What are the dimensions of the field that has the largest
area?
Example 5.
An open box is to be made from a 16 cm by 30 cm piece of cardboard by cutting out squares of
equal size from the four corners and bending up the sides. What size should the squares be to
obtain a box with the largest possible volume?

Example 6.
Find the least amount of lumber that will be needed to form an open box with a square base and a
capacity of 32 m3.
Example 7.
Find the area of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed in a semicircle of radius 2.

Example 8.
2
A rectangle has its base on the x-axis and its upper two vertices on the parabola y = 16 − x .
What is the largest area the rectangle can have, and what are its dimensions?

Additional Questions
1. Find two numbers whose sum is 30 and whose product is as large as possible.
2. Find the dimensions of a rectangle with perimeter 400 m whose area is as large as
possible.
3. Find the dimensions of the rectangle with maximum area that can be inscribed in a
semicircle of radius 10.
4. A rectangular swimming pool with square top is to be built with brick sides and
bottom. If the volume is to be 500 m3 what should the dimensions be in order to
minimize the amount of brick used?