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Derivatives, Optimization, and Costs

The document is a tutorial for MAM1010S at the University of Cape Town, focusing on derivatives, curves, extrema, and optimization. It includes various exercises related to determining the behavior of functions and their derivatives, finding critical points, and minimizing costs in different scenarios. Additionally, it covers practical applications such as optimizing the design of cylindrical cans to minimize material use.

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ndlangisaanathi12
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4 views2 pages

Derivatives, Optimization, and Costs

The document is a tutorial for MAM1010S at the University of Cape Town, focusing on derivatives, curves, extrema, and optimization. It includes various exercises related to determining the behavior of functions and their derivatives, finding critical points, and minimizing costs in different scenarios. Additionally, it covers practical applications such as optimizing the design of cylindrical cans to minimize material use.

Uploaded by

ndlangisaanathi12
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

University of Cape Town MAM1010S

Tutorial 9 2025
Derivatives and curves, extrema, optimisation

1. The following graph represents a function f (x):

f (x)

d
a b c e

(a) State the regions on which the derivative of f is positive, negative or 0.


(b) Draw a rough sketch of the derivative function f ′ (x), indicating any x-intercepts.

2. The following graph represents the derivative f ′ (x) of a function f (x):

f ′ (x)

a b c d

(a) State the regions on which f (x) has a positive slope or negative slope.
(b) Draw a rough sketch of a possible f (x).

1
3. Consider the function f (x) = (x2 − 1)3 over the interval [−2, 2].

(a) Find the derivative of f and use it to find all critical points.
(b) Determine the intervals over which f is increasing or decreasing.
(c) Classify all critical points and endpoints as relative/absolute maxima/minima or none.

4. Repeat Q3 for the function g(x) = x2 e−4x with domain (−∞, ∞).
√
5. Repeat Q3 for the function h(x) = 3 3 x − 16x2 over the interval [−1, 1].

6. A private tutoring company has weekly operating cost of C(x) = 300 + 10x + 0.03x2 ,
where x is the number of tutors employed.

(a) Find the number of tutors that minimises the average cost per tutor employed.
(b) Show that when average cost is minimised, C̄(x) = C ′ (x).

7. The cost to produce x pairs of running shoes is

C(x) = 160 + 32x + 0.001x2 .

Determine the number of pairs that should be produced in order to minimise average cost.
Show that the number you find is a minimum and not a maximum.

8. You work for a company that makes canned drinks. In order to minimise your production
costs, you want to find the least amount of metal that is required to make your signature 500
cm3 cylindrical cans.

(a) Draw a sketch and identify the variables, then find the constraints on these variables.
(b) Create an objective function which represents the amount of metal used to construct a
can.
(c) Find the dimensions of a can which minimises the amount of metal used.

Hint: Volume of cylinder is V = πr2 h. Surface area of a cylinder is A = 2πrh + 2πr2 .

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