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Related rates and optimisation

Turning a word problem into a derivative: what is changing, what is fixed, what is extreme.

Related rates differentiate a relation with respect to time; optimisation sets a derivative to zero. Both begin by naming the variables and writing the one equation that ties them. Picture it: the graph of the quantity being optimised; the peak is where the tangent is flat. Think it: Lagrange multipliers extend the same idea to constrained problems in many variables.

Contoh yang dikerjakan: maximum of -x^2 + 4x

Calculus · Extrema

Critical points of -x^2 + 4x

- x^{2} + 4 x

Langkah demi langkah

  1. f(x) = - x^{2} + 4 x

    Critical points are where f′(x) = 0 or is undefined.

  2. f'(x) = 4 - 2 x

    Differentiate.

  3. x = 2

    Solve f′(x) = 0.

  4. f''(x) = -2

    Second-derivative test: f″ < 0 → maximum, f″ > 0 → minimum.

  5. f''(2) = -2 \Rightarrow (2, 4) \text{ is a local maximum}

Tunjukkan jawapan
(2, 4)\ \text{local maximum}

Symbols used here

\neg,\ \wedge,\ \vee,\ \Rightarrow,\ \Leftrightarrow
not, and, or, implies, iff
Logical connectives.
\pi
pi
Ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, 3.14159…
e
Euler's number
2.71828…, the base whose exponential is its own derivative.
\infty
infinity
Not a number: "grows without bound" in limits and intervals.
\sin,\ \cos,\ \tan
sine, cosine, tangent
Ratios of sides in a right triangle; coordinates on the unit circle.
\log_b x,\ \ln x
logarithm, natural log
The exponent b must be raised to for x; ln uses base e.
\sum_{k=1}^{n} a_k
summation
Add a_k for k = 1 up to n.
\lim_{x \to a} f(x)
limit
The value f(x) approaches as x approaches a.
f'(x),\ \frac{dy}{dx}
derivative
Instantaneous rate of change; slope of the graph.
\int f(x)\,dx,\ \int_a^b
integral
Antiderivative (indefinite) or signed area from a to b (definite).
y',\ y''
first and second derivative of y
Prime notation for derivatives with respect to x (or t).
C,\ C_1,\ C_2
arbitrary constants
Constants of integration fixed by initial conditions.

How to: Related rates and optimisation

  1. Critical points are where f′(x) = 0 or is undefined.
  2. Differentiate.
  3. Solve f′(x) = 0.
  4. Second-derivative test: f″ < 0 → maximum, f″ > 0 → minimum.

Questions people ask

What is a derivative in one sentence?

The slope of the graph at a point — the rate at which the output is changing there. Speed is the derivative of position.

What is an integral in one sentence?

The accumulated total of a rate — the area under the curve. Distance travelled is the integral of speed.

Why are derivatives and integrals opposites?

That is the fundamental theorem of calculus: accumulating a rate and then measuring how fast the accumulation grows gets you back the rate. Integration undoes differentiation up to a constant.

When do I use substitution and when integration by parts?

Substitution when part of the integrand is the derivative of another part (u and du both present). Parts when the integrand is a product of two unrelated kinds of function — a polynomial times an exponential, log or trig function.

Cubalah sendiri

Lebih dalam Calculus

LimitsDerivativesIntegralsDefinite integralsTaylor seriesSeries and sumsMaxima and minimaThe chain ruleImplicit differentiationIntegration techniques: substitution, parts, partial fractionsApplications of integration: area, volume, arc lengthInfinite series and convergence tests