Question

I need a certain specific way for solving Optimization problems.

Answer 1

What do you mean?

Answer 2

Review your algebra.

Answer 3

@abb0t that's Calculus though. @DebbieG I meant the way it's done differs from a problem to another ya know. I need one solid method or sequence that shall be followed when working on Optimization-relate problems.

Answer 4

optimization IS algebra!! applied algebra per say. The only calculus you are doing is derivatives. You start by developing a formula for the given problem (which IS algebra!), then you take the derivative (finding the maximum or minimum). There's not much calculus to be done here. Every optimization problem is different so there will be a different way to arrive at your formula, but that's the routine you are taking.

1. arrive at a formula
2. derive.
3. find max (or min).

Answer 5

It was taught to me in Calculus I so ..

Answer 6

Like @abb0t says, the method does depend in part on what type of problem it is. I've certainly given optimization problems to algebra students, but you are limited in the kinds of functions that you an optimize.

In algebra, I would say the "general method" is: find the range of the function over the interval of the domain for which you are optimizing. Then the upper or lower bound of that range is the max or min value, respectively; and the extrema occurs at the x-coordinate for which you get that y-value.

In calculus, I think the most "general" way to describe the method would be to find the the first derivative. Then if you are optimizing over [a,b], find:\(f(a)\), \(f(b)\) and \(f(x)\) at all solutions to \(f \prime(x)=0\) over [a,b]. The largest/smallest value is the max/min.

Answer 7

What's Calculus though? isn't it Applied Algebra again? we're just moving in an endless circle

Answer 8

Thanks co-workers.

Answer 9

I'll give @abb0t the medal because he answered first. Justice ya know.

Answer 10

You can view many examples here: http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/Optimization.aspx

Answer 11

Thanks.