Math Problem Statement

Two nonnegative numbers are such that the first plus the square of the second is 10. Find the numbers if their sum is as large as possible. a. 2/3 and 39/5 b. 1⁄2 and 17/5 c. 2/3 and 17/5 d. 1⁄2 and 39/4

Solution

Let's solve this problem step-by-step. Let the two nonnegative numbers be xx and yy.

Step 1: Set up the equations

From the problem statement, we have two conditions:

  1. x+y2=10x + y^2 = 10
  2. We want x+yx + y to be as large as possible.

Step 2: Express xx in terms of yy

From the first equation, we can solve for xx in terms of yy: x=10y2x = 10 - y^2

Step 3: Substitute xx in the objective function

We want to maximize x+yx + y. Substituting the expression for xx from above: x+y=(10y2)+yx + y = (10 - y^2) + y which simplifies to: f(y)=10+yy2f(y) = 10 + y - y^2

Step 4: Differentiate f(y)f(y) and find the critical points

To maximize f(y)f(y), we take the derivative with respect to yy: f(y)=12yf'(y) = 1 - 2y Set the derivative equal to zero to find the critical points: 12y=01 - 2y = 0 y=12y = \frac{1}{2}

Step 5: Find the corresponding value of xx

Substitute y=12y = \frac{1}{2} back into the equation x=10y2x = 10 - y^2 to find xx: x=10(12)2x = 10 - \left( \frac{1}{2} \right)^2 x=1014x = 10 - \frac{1}{4} x=40414=394x = \frac{40}{4} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{39}{4}

Step 6: Verify the answer

The numbers that satisfy both conditions are: x=394andy=12x = \frac{39}{4} \quad \text{and} \quad y = \frac{1}{2}

Conclusion

The correct answer is: (d) 12\frac{1}{2} and 394\frac{39}{4}

Would you like a more detailed breakdown, or do you have any questions?


Here are some related questions that expand on this problem:

  1. How would the solution change if we wanted to minimize x+yx + y instead of maximizing it?
  2. What would happen if the condition x+y2=10x + y^2 = 10 were changed to xy2=10x \cdot y^2 = 10?
  3. How do we know that our critical point indeed gives a maximum for x+yx + y?
  4. Can you generalize this method to find the maximum of other expressions with similar constraints?
  5. What if we included a third variable in the equation? How would we approach solving for the maximum sum?

Tip: When maximizing or minimizing expressions under constraints, substituting one variable in terms of the other using the constraint can simplify the optimization process.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Optimization
Quadratic Functions

Formulas

Objective function: x + y = (10 - y^2) + y
Derivative of f(y) to find maximum: f'(y) = 1 - 2y

Theorems

Optimization via Critical Points
First Derivative Test

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12