Applications of Derivatives:

Related Rates and Max-Min Problems

NESTOR G. ACALA, PhD

Mathematics Department
Mindanao State University Main Campus
Marawi City
[Link]@[Link]
Maximum and Minimum Values of Function

Denition.
A function f is said to have a relative maximum value at x0 (the value is
f (x0 )) if there exists an open interval I containing x0 on which f is dened
and that f (x0 ) ≥ f (x) for all x in this interval I . It has a relative minimum
value at x0 (the value is f (x0 )) if there exists an open interval I containing
x0 on which f is dened and that f (x0 ) ≤ f (x) for all x in this interval I . If
the function f has either a relative maximum or a relative minimum value at
x0 , then f is said to have a relative extremum at x0 .
 y

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•

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•

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b
x
0 a x1 x2 x3
Theorem. If f ′ (x) exists for all values of x in the open interval (a, b), and if f
has a relative extremum at x0 , where a < x0 < b, and if f ′ (x0 ) exists, then
f ′ (x0 ) = 0.
Critical Value and Critical Point of a Function

Denition.
If x0 is a number in the domain of the function f , and if either f ′ (x0 ) = 0 or
f ′ (x0 ) does not exist, then x0 is called a critical number or
f (x0 ) is a critical value of f .

A critical point is a point (x0 , f (x0 )) on the function f corresponding to the

critical number x0 .
Denition.
The function f is said to have an absolute maximum value on an interval if
there is some number x0 in the interval such that f (x0 ) ≥ f (x) for all x in
this interval. In such a case, f (x0 ) is the absolute maximum value of f on
the interval.
The function f is said to have an absolute minimum value on an interval if
there is some number x0 in the interval such that f (x0 ) ≤ f (x) for all x in
this interval. The value f (x0 ) is the absolute minimum value of f on the
interval.
An absolute extremum of a function on an interval is either an absolute
maximum value or an absolute minimum value of the function on that
interval.
Remark: A relative maximum or relative minimum value of f is not necessarily
the absolute maximum or absolute minimum value of f .
Theorem(Extreme-Value Theorem). If a function f is continuous on the closed
interval [a, b], then f has an absolute maximum value and an absolute minimum
value on [a, b].
Steps to find the Absolute Extrema

1. Find the function values at the critical numbers of f on (a, b).

2. Find the values f (a) and f (b).
3. The largest of the values obtained in (1) and (2) is the absolute maximum
value of f . The smallest of the values obtained is the absolute minimum
value of f .
Example 1.
Given the function f (x) = x 3 − 3x − 3, nd the absolute extrema of f on [−2, 2].
Solution: The derivative of f is f ′ (x) = 3x 2 − 3x . Setting this to zero, we get
3x 2− 3x = 3x(x − 1) = 3x(x − 1) = 0. Thus, x = 0 or x = 1. So, 0 and 1 are
the critical values of f on [−2, 2]. Now
f (1) = 13 − 3(1) − 3 = −5
f (0) = (0)3 − 3(0) − 3 = −3
f (−2) = (−2)3 − 3(−2) − 3 = −5
f (2) = (2)3 − 3(2) − 3 = −1
Example 1.
Given the function f (x) = x 3 − 3x − 3, nd the absolute extrema of f on [−2, 2].
Solution: The derivative of f is f ′ (x) = 3x 2 − 3x . Setting this to zero, we get
3x 2− 3x = 3x(x − 1) = 3x(x − 1) = 0. Thus, x = 0 or x = 1. So, 0 and 1 are
the critical values of f on [−2, 2]. Now
f (1) = 13 − 3(1) − 3 = −5
f (0) = (0)3 − 3(0) − 3 = −3
f (−2) = (−2)3 − 3(−2) − 3 = −5
f (2) = (2)3 − 3(2) − 3 = −1
Hence, the absolute maximum value is f (2) = −1 and the absolute minimum
value is f (−2) = f (1) = −5.
Hence, the absolute maximum value is f (2) = −1 and the absolute minimum
value is f (−2) = f (1) = −5.
Consequently, the absolute maximum point is (2, −1) ; and the absolute
minimum points are (−2, −5) and (1, −5) . □

Observe that in Example 1, the absolute minimum point (1, −5) is also the
relative minimum point; while the relative maximum point is (0, −3).
Theorem(First Derivative Test for Relative Extrema).
Let the function f be continuous at all points of the open interval (a, b)
containing the number x0 , and suppose that f ′ exists at each point of (a, b),
except possibly at x0 .
1. If f is increasing (f ′ (x) > 0) on some open interval to the left of x0 with x0
as endpoint of this interval, and if f is decreasing (f ′ (x) < 0) on some open
interval to the right of x0 with x0 as endpoint, then f has a relative
maximum value at x0 .
2. If f is decreasing (f ′ (x) < 0) on some open interval to the left of x0 with x0
as endpoint, and if f is increasing (f ′ (x) > 0) on some open interval to the
right of x0 with x0 as endpoint of this interval, then f has a relative
minimum value at x0 .
Example 2.
Given the function f (x) = x 3 + x 2 − x + 1.
(i) Determine the intervals where the function f (x) = x 3 + x 2 − x + 1 is
increasing or decreasing.
(ii) Determine the relative maximum and relative minimum point(s).
(i) Taking the derivative of f , we have f ′ (x) = 3x 2 + 2x − 1 = (3x − 1)(x + 1)
so that f ′ (x) = 0 yields the critical numbers x = 13 and x = −1. Plotting
these numbers on the real number line gives us the critical intervals, as seen
in the following gure below:
I II III

−2 −1 0 1 1
3
 Signs of
Intervals Test Numbers f ′ (x) = (3x − 1)(x + 1)

I (−∞, −1) x = −2 −(−) = +

II (−1, 13 ) x =0 −(+) = −
III ( 31 , +∞) x =1 +(+) = +

Hence,
f is increasing on the intervals (−∞, −1) and ( 31 , +∞) ;
while
f is decreasing on the interval (−1, 13 ) .
(ii) Applying the First Derivative Test for Relative Extrema Theorem, we have

▷ f increasing on the interval (−∞, −1) and decreasing on (−1, 13 ) implies

that f has relative maximum at x = −1 and its relative maximum value is
f (−1) = (−1)3 + (−1)2 − (−1) + 1 = 2.

The relative maximum point of f is (−1, 2).

▷ f decreasing on (−1, 13 ) and increasing on ( 31 , +∞) implies f has a relative
minimum at x = 31 and its relative minimum value is
1 1 1 1 22
f ( ) = ( )3 + ( )2 − +1= .
3 3 3 3 27
1 22
The relative minimum point of f is .


3 , 27
A sketch of the graph of f (x) = x 3 + x 2 − x + 1 is given below:
y
f

(−1, 2)
•

•
( 13 , 22
27 )

−2 −1 1 2
Theorem(Second Derivative Test for Relative Extrema).
Suppose that f ′′ (x) exists on I and suppose x0 ∈ I is a critical value of f .
i. If f ′′ (x0 ) > 0,then x0 corresponds to a relative minimum value of f .
ii. If f ′′ (x0 ) < 0, then x0 corresponds to a relative maximum value of f .
NOTE: If f ′′ (x0 ) = 0, then the above second derivative test for relative extrema
does not apply.
Example 3.
Given the function f (x) = x 3 + x 2 − x + 1 and the critical numbers x = −1 and
x = 31 (see Example 2), use the Second Derivative Test for Relative Extrema to
nd the relative maximum and relative minimum points of f . [This is another
way of nding the relative extreme value of a function.]
Solution:
From Example 2, we have f ′′ (x) = 6x + 2.
Applying the Second Derivative Test for Relative Extrema we see that
▷ f ′′ (−1) = 6(−1) + 2 = −4 < 0;
This implies f has a relative maximum at x = −1.
▷ f ′′ ( 13 ) = 6( 13 ) + 2 = 4 > 0;
This implies f has a relative minimum at x = 31 .
This validates the results obtained in Example 2 that the [Link]. point is at
(−1, 2), while the [Link]. point is at ( 13 , 22
27 ).
Absolute Extrema, Extreme Value Theorem
Application and Optimization

Maxima-Minima problems seek to nd the largest, or the most, or the least, or
the smallest of certain quantities.
Helpful Steps in Solving Maxima and Minima
Problems

1. Read and understand the problem. Draw a gure whenever possible.

2. Assign a letter to each of the quantities mentioned in the problem.
3. Choose the quantity which is to be maximized or minimized and express it as
a function of the other quantities by making use of the information in the
problem.
4. Apply the theory in the preceding section (e.g, nd the critical values of the
function in Step 3. One of these values may correspond to the required value
in the problem.)
Some Helpful Formulas: Perimeter

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Some Helpful Formulas: Area

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Some Helpful Formulas: Volume

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Maxima-Minima Problems
Example 1. Find the two positive numbers whose sum is 300 and whose
product is a maximum.
Solution:
Maxima-Minima Problems
Example 1. Find the two positive numbers whose sum is 300 and whose
product is a maximum.
Solution: Let x and y be the two positive numbers and P be their product.
Problem: Find x and y so that the product P is maximum.
Maxima-Minima Problems
Example 1. Find the two positive numbers whose sum is 300 and whose
product is a maximum.
Solution: Let x and y be the two positive numbers and P be their product.
Problem: Find x and y so that the product P is maximum.
Then
P = xy ,
Maxima-Minima Problems
Example 1. Find the two positive numbers whose sum is 300 and whose
product is a maximum.
Solution: Let x and y be the two positive numbers and P be their product.
Problem: Find x and y so that the product P is maximum.
Then
P = xy ,
and the phrase "two positive numbers whose sum is 300" can be expressed as
Maxima-Minima Problems
Example 1. Find the two positive numbers whose sum is 300 and whose
product is a maximum.
Solution: Let x and y be the two positive numbers and P be their product.
Problem: Find x and y so that the product P is maximum.
Then
P = xy ,
and the phrase "two positive numbers whose sum is 300" can be expressed as
x + y = 300.
Maxima-Minima Problems
Example 1. Find the two positive numbers whose sum is 300 and whose
product is a maximum.
Solution: Let x and y be the two positive numbers and P be their product.
Problem: Find x and y so that the product P is maximum.
Then
P = xy ,
and the phrase "two positive numbers whose sum is 300" can be expressed as
x + y = [Link], we have
y = 300 − x
and P can be further expressed as a function of x alone given by
P(x) = x(300 − x) = 300x − x 2 , where 0 < x < 300.
Goal: To nd the maximum value of
P(x) = 300x − x 2 , 0 < x < 300.
Goal: To nd the maximum value of
P(x) = 300x − x 2 , 0 < x < 300.
To obtain this, we need to determine the critical numbers of P and then apply
the theorems in the previous section to get the desired value.
Goal: To nd the maximum value of
P(x) = 300x − x 2 , 0 < x < 300.
To obtain this, we need to determine the critical numbers of P and then apply
the theorems in the previous section to get the desired [Link],

P ′ (x) = 300 − 2x and P ′ (x) = 300 − 2x = 0 =⇒ x = 150.

Solving the second derivative we have P ′′ (x) = −2. Consequently,
P ′′ (150) = −2 < 0, which means P has a relative maximum at x = 150.
Observe that P(150) = 300(150) − (150)2 = 45, 000 − 22, 500 = 22, 500.
Since P(0) = 0 = P(300), we say, P has its (absolute) maximum at x = 150.
Observe that P(150) = 300(150) − (150)2 = 45, 000 − 22, 500 = 22, 500.
Since P(0) = 0 = P(300), we say, P has its (absolute) maximum at x = 150.
Solving for y , we get y = 300 − 150 = 150.
Therefore, the desired numbers are x = 150 and y = 150 .
Observe that P(150) = 300(150) − (150)2 = 45, 000 − 22, 500 = 22, 500.
Since P(0) = 0 = P(300), we say, P has its (absolute) maximum at x = 150.
Solving for y , we get y = 300 − 150 = 150.
Therefore, the desired numbers are x = 150 and y = 150 .
The maximum product is P = 22, 500.
□

The equation x + y = 300 is called the constraint or condition of the problem.

Example 2. Find the two positive numbers whose product is 750 and for which
the sum of one and 10 times the other is a minimum.
Solution:
Example 2. Find the two positive numbers whose product is 750 and for which
the sum of one and 10 times the other is a minimum.
Solution:
Example 3. We have a piece of cardboard that is 50cm by 20cm and we are
going to cut out (squares) at each corners and fold up the sides to form a box.
Determine the height of the box that will give a maximum volume.
Solution:
50cm

20 − 2x

20cm
50 − 2x

x x
x
Note that squares cut out in each corner has a side x . Moreover, this side x
becomes the height of the box to be formed. Then the volume (which is to be
maximized) of the box is given by
V = x(20 − 2x})(50
| {z − 2x}) = 1000x − 140x 2 + 4x 3 .
| {z
width length

Taking the derivative of V , we have V ′ (x) = 1000 − 280x + 12x 2 . Solving for
the critical numbers x of V :
1000 − 280x + 12x 2 = 0 =⇒ 3x 2 − 70x + 250 = 0
√
70 ± 10 19
=⇒ x = ≈ 18.93 or 4.40
6
Example 4. We want to build a box whose base length is 3 times the base
width and the box will enclose 96 in3 . The cost of the material of the sides is 3
pesos per squared inches and the cost of the top and the bottom is 8 pesos per
squared inches. Determine the dimensions of the box that will minimize the cost.
Solution:

z
x
y=3x

V = xyz = x(3x)z = 3x 2 z = 96.

Total area of the four(4) sides:
2xz + 2yz = 2xz + 2(3x)z = 8xz,
whose material cost 3 pesos per squared inches.
Total area of top and the bottom parts:
2xy = 2x(3x) = 6x 2 ,
whose material cost 8 pesos per squared inches.
Hence, a cost function may be written as follows:
C = 8xz(3) + 6x 2 (8) = 24xz + 48x 2 .
Since 3x 2 z = 96, we have
96 32
z= = 2;
3x 2 x
and substituting this to z in C expresses C as a function of x alone. That is,
32 (24)(32)
 
C (x) = 24x + 48x 2 = + 48x 2 = (24)(32)x −1 + 48x 2 .
x2 x
Taking the derivative of C (x), we have
C ′ (x) = −(24)(32)x −2 + 96x.

Equating C ′ (x) to zero and solving for x yields

(24)(32)
−(24)(32)x −2 + 96x = 0 =⇒ 96x = (24)(32)x −2 =
x2
=⇒ 96x 3 = (24)(32)
(24)(32) (24)(32)
=⇒ x 3 = = =8
96 3(32)
=⇒ x = 2.
The second derivative of C (x) is C ′′ (x) = 2(24)(32)x −3 + 96, and
2(24)(32)
C ′′ (2) = 2(24)(32)(2)−3 + 96 = + 96 = 2(3)(32) + 96 > 0.
23
Thus, by the Second Derivative Test for Relative Extrema, we say the value
x = 2 minimizes the cost function C (x). Solving for y and z , we have
32 32
y = 3x = 3(2) = 6 and z = = = 8.
x2 22
Therefore, the dimensions of the desired box that minimizes cost are
x| = 2{zinches}, y = 6 inches and z| = 8{zinches} .
| {z }
width length height
Example 5. Find the dimensions of a rectangle with perimeter 1000 metres so
that the area of the rectangle is a maximum.
Example 5. Find the dimensions of a rectangle with perimeter 1000 metres so
that the area of the rectangle is a maximum.
Solution:
Related Rates

A problem involving rates of change of related variables is called a problem in

related rates. This is an application of implicit dierentiation.
The following are some useful guidelines in solving word problems involving
related rates.
1. Read the problem carefully.
2. Draw a diagram if possible.
3. Introduce notations. Assign symbols to all quantities that are functions of
time t .
4. Express the given information and the required rate in terms of derivatives.
5. Write an equation that relates the various quantities of the problem. If
necessary, use the geometry of the situation to eliminate one of the variables
by substitution.
6. Dierentiate with respect to t both sides of the equation.
7. Substitute the given information into the resulting equation and solve for the
unknown rate.
Example 1.
A water in the form of an inverted cone is being emptied at the rate of 6m3 /min.
The altitude of the cone is 27m, and the radius is 9m. Find how fast the water
level is lowering when tha water is 12m deep.
Solution:
Let t be the time (minute) that has elapsed since water started to ow out of the
tank.
Let h be the height(meter) of the water level at time t , and
let r be the radius(meter) of the surface of the surface of the water at time t ,
and nally,
let V be the volume (cubic meter) of the water in the tank at time t .
At any time t , the volume of water in the tank may be expressed in terms of the
volume of a cone.
1
V = πr 2 h (1)
3
Note that V , r , and h are all functions of t . Since the water tank is being
dV dh
emptied at the rate of 6m3 /min, = −6. We want to nd when h = 12.
dt dt
Note that we have to express V in (1) in terms of one variable only,i.e., in terms
of h. To do that, we have from similar triangles,
r 9 1
= ⇔r = h
h 27 3
Substituting this value of r into (1) we obtain
2
1 1 1 3

V = π h h⇔V = πh
3 3 27
Dierentiating both sides of this equation with respect to t ,
dV 1 dh 1 dh
= π · 3h2 = πh2
dt 27 dt 9 dt
dV dh
Substituting −6 for and solving for we get
dt dt
 dh 9 dV 9 −64
= 2 = 2 (−6) =
dt πh dt πh πh2
When h = 12, we obtain
dh −64 −3
= =
dt π (−12)2 8π
3
Therefore the water level is lowering at the rate of m/min when the water
8π
level is 12m deep.
Example 2.
Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon at a rate of 5 cm3 /min. Determine
the rate at which the radius of the balloon is increasing when the diameter of the
balloon is 20 cm.
Example 2.
Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon at a rate of 5 cm3 /min. Determine
the rate at which the radius of the balloon is increasing when the diameter of the
balloon is 20 cm.
Solution:
Example 2.
Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon at a rate of 5 cm3 /min. Determine
the rate at which the radius of the balloon is increasing when the diameter of the
balloon is 20 cm.
Solution:
Example 3.
A ladder 25 feet long is leaning against a vertical wall. If the bottom of the
ladder is pulled horizontally away from the wall at 2 ft/sec, how fast is the top of
the ladder sliding down the wall when the bottom is 7 feet from the wall?
Solution:
Let t seconds be the time that has elapsed since the ladder started to slide down
the wall, y feet be the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder at t
seconds, and x feet be the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the wall at
t seconds. Because the bottom of the ladder is pulled horizontally away from the
dx dy
wall at 2 ft/sec, = 2. We need to nd when x = 7. In order to do that,
dt dt
we rst nd an equation that will relate the involved variables (which are
functions of time t ) x and y . At the instant t , the illustration or model forms a
right triangle. Thus we form the required equation using the Pythagorean
theorem,
x 2 + y 2 = 252 or
x 2 + y 2 = 625 (2)
 dy
Dierentiating (2) with respect to t and then solving for we have
dt

dx dy
2x + 2y =0
dt dt
dy x dx
=− (3)
dt y dt
dy −7
When x = 7, we obtain from (2) that y = 24. Using (3), we have = .
dt 12
7
Therefore the top of the ladder is sliding down the wall at the rate of 12 ft/sec
when the bottom of the ladder is 7 ft from the wall. The signicance of the
minus sign is that y is decreasing as t is increasing.
Example 4. On a rainy day, a girl broke up with her boyfriend after together for
8 long years. They decided to separate at the place where everything about them
began, at the same time. The boy is due north crying and running at the rate of
5 ft/sec and the girl is walking due east at the rate of 1 ft/sec thinking if she
made the right decision. How fast are they separating from each other 5 seconds
after they started moving to a new life without each other?
Solution:
Example 4. On a rainy day, a girl broke up with her boyfriend after together for
8 long years. They decided to separate at the place where everything about them
began, at the same time. The boy is due north crying and running at the rate of
5 ft/sec and the girl is walking due east at the rate of 1 ft/sec thinking if she
made the right decision. How fast are they separating from each other 5 seconds
after they started moving to a new life without each other?
Solution:
References

• Protter, M. H. and Protter, P.E.(1988). Calculus with Analytic Geometry (4th Ed.)
Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
• Stewart, James (2015). Calculus (8th Ed). Boston:Cengage Learning.
• [Link]
Related Rates.

• [Link] apilking/Math10550/Lectures/15.%20Maxima
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Daghang Salamat sa tanan!