Solving Optimization Problems (STEPS)

What does a optimization problem mean?

Finding the max or min

Step 1

Determine the quantity that is to be maximized or minimized (+ → - or - → +)

Step 2

Draw a picture, define a variable, or use some formula to identify the quantities not valued

Step 3

Write a primary equation that represents the quantity that is to be optimized (may have > 1 variable)

Step 4

If primary equation has 1+ variables, a second equation is needed that involves same variables so one variable can be isolated to show a relationship between variables (Finding what a variable =. Kinda like solving for a system of equations)

Step 5

Substitute the result of second equation into primary equation (if necessary), and then differentiate the primary equation to find the max/min value desired