Math Problem Statement

The monthly demand function for x units of a product sold by a monopoly is p = 5,200 − 1 2 x2 dollars, and its average cost is C = 3,010 + 2x dollars. Production is limited to 100 units. Find the number of units that maximizes profits. (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.) units Find the maximum profit. (Round your answer to the nearest cent.)

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to follow a structured approach to determine the number of units that maximize profits for the monopoly, and then find the maximum profit.

1. Determine the Revenue Function:

The demand function is given as p=520012x2p = 5200 - \frac{1}{2}x^2, where pp is the price per unit and xx is the quantity of units sold. The revenue RR is the product of price pp and the number of units sold xx:

R(x)=px=(520012x2)xR(x) = p \cdot x = \left(5200 - \frac{1}{2}x^2\right) \cdot x

Simplifying the revenue function:

R(x)=5200x12x3R(x) = 5200x - \frac{1}{2}x^3

2. Determine the Cost Function:

The average cost function is given by C=3010+2xC = 3010 + 2x. The total cost TC(x)TC(x) is the product of the average cost and the number of units xx:

TC(x)=Cx=(3010+2x)x=3010x+2x2TC(x) = C \cdot x = (3010 + 2x) \cdot x = 3010x + 2x^2

3. Determine the Profit Function:

The profit P(x)P(x) is the revenue minus the total cost:

P(x)=R(x)TC(x)P(x) = R(x) - TC(x)

Substituting the expressions for R(x)R(x) and TC(x)TC(x):

P(x)=(5200x12x3)(3010x+2x2)P(x) = \left(5200x - \frac{1}{2}x^3\right) - \left(3010x + 2x^2\right)

Simplifying:

P(x)=5200x12x33010x2x2P(x) = 5200x - \frac{1}{2}x^3 - 3010x - 2x^2

P(x)=(52003010)x12x32x2P(x) = (5200 - 3010)x - \frac{1}{2}x^3 - 2x^2

P(x)=2190x12x32x2P(x) = 2190x - \frac{1}{2}x^3 - 2x^2

4. Maximize the Profit:

To maximize profit, we take the derivative of the profit function P(x)P(x) with respect to xx and set it equal to zero.

First, find the derivative:

P(x)=219032x24xP'(x) = 2190 - \frac{3}{2}x^2 - 4x

Set P(x)=0P'(x) = 0 to find the critical points:

219032x24x=02190 - \frac{3}{2}x^2 - 4x = 0

Multiply through by 2 to eliminate the fraction:

43803x28x=04380 - 3x^2 - 8x = 0

Rearrange this quadratic equation:

3x2+8x4380=03x^2 + 8x - 4380 = 0

Solve using the quadratic formula:

x=8±8243(4380)23x = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{8^2 - 4 \cdot 3 \cdot (-4380)}}{2 \cdot 3}

x=8±64+525606x = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{64 + 52560}}{6}

x=8±526246x = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{52624}}{6}

x=8±229.346x = \frac{-8 \pm 229.34}{6}

Taking the positive root (since quantity xx cannot be negative):

x=8+229.34637.22x = \frac{-8 + 229.34}{6} \approx 37.22

Thus, x37x \approx 37 units.

5. Find the Maximum Profit:

Now, substitute x=37x = 37 into the profit function to find the maximum profit:

P(37)=2190(37)12(37)32(37)2P(37) = 2190(37) - \frac{1}{2}(37)^3 - 2(37)^2

P(37)=8103012(50653)2(1369)P(37) = 81030 - \frac{1}{2}(50653) - 2(1369)

P(37)=8103025326.52738P(37) = 81030 - 25326.5 - 2738

P(37)52965.5P(37) \approx 52965.5

Final Answer:

  • The number of units that maximizes profits is approximately 37 units.
  • The maximum profit is approximately $52,965.50.

Would you like to see further details, or ask any additional questions? Here are 5 related questions to explore further:

  1. How would changes in the demand function impact the profit-maximizing quantity?
  2. What happens if production limits are increased beyond 100 units?
  3. How do you solve a maximization problem when a constraint like production capacity is present?
  4. Can we use numerical methods to solve this instead of the quadratic formula?
  5. What is the role of the second derivative test in confirming whether the profit is maximized?

Tip: Always check for potential constraints (like production limits) when solving for optimal quantities, as they can affect the final solution.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Revenue and Cost Functions
Maximization
Derivative Calculus
Quadratic Equations

Formulas

Revenue function: R(x) = p * x = (5200 - 1/2 x^2) * x
Cost function: TC(x) = (3010 + 2x) * x
Profit function: P(x) = R(x) - TC(x)
Quadratic equation: ax^2 + bx + c = 0
Derivative for maximization: P'(x) = 0

Theorems

First Derivative Test
Quadratic Formula

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Economics or Business Math