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C1 Optimisation help

I need some help with this question:

"The sum of two positive integers is 40. Find the two integers such that the product of the square of one number and the cube of the other number is a maximum."

I tried to do this question but didn't get very far:

x+y=40x + y = 40
x=40yx = 40 - y
P=x2×y3P = x^2 \times y^3
P=(40y)(40y)(y3)P = (40-y)(40-y)(y^3)
P=(y280y+1600)(y3)P = (y^2 -80y + 1600)(y^3)
P=y580y4+1600y3P = y^5 - 80y^4 + 1600y^3

then:

dPdy=5y4320y3+4800y2\frac{dP}{dy} = 5y^4 - 320y^3 + 4800y^2

Do I need to solve this for 0, or is there an easier way?
Original post by arniebob
I need some help with this question:

"The sum of two positive integers is 40. Find the two integers such that the product of the square of one number and the cube of the other number is a maximum."

I tried to do this question but didn't get very far:

x+y=40x + y = 40
x=40yx = 40 - y
P=x2×y3P = x^2 \times y^3
P=(40y)(40y)(y3)P = (40-y)(40-y)(y^3)
P=(y280y+1600)(y3)P = (y^2 -80y + 1600)(y^3)
P=y580y4+1600y3P = y^5 - 80y^4 + 1600y^3

then:

dPdy=5y4320y3+4800y2\frac{dP}{dy} = 5y^4 - 320y^3 + 4800y^2

Do I need to solve this for 0, or is there an easier way?


just solve dp/dy = 0 to find suitable y then work out x
Reply 2
Original post by arniebob
dPdy=5y4320y3+4800y2\frac{dP}{dy} = 5y^4 - 320y^3 + 4800y^2

Do I need to solve this for 0, or is there an easier way?


That all looks fine. Yes, solve dP/dy = 0 which is easier than it looks - you can divide through by 5, and also be y^2, as you are told that y is not zero (because it is positive). You'll get two answers, and you'll have to explain why you reject one of them.
Reply 3
Original post by Pangol
That all looks fine. Yes, solve dP/dy = 0 which is easier than it looks - you can divide through by 5, and also be y^2, as you are told that y is not zero (because it is positive). You'll get two answers, and you'll have to explain why you reject one of them.


Ah I see, thanks! :smile:

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