Math Problem Statement

The latest demand equation for your Yoda vs. Alien T-shirts is given by q = −50x + 700 where q is the number of shirts you can sell in one week if you charge $x per shirt. The Student Council charges you $400 per week for use of their facilities, and the T-shirts cost you $8 each. Find the weekly cost as a function of the unit price x. C(x) =

Hence, find the weekly profit as a function of x. P(x) =

Determine the unit price (in dollars per T-shirt) you should charge to obtain the largest possible weekly profit. x = $ per T-shirt What is the largest possible weekly profit (in dollars)? $

Solution

Let's break this down step by step to find the weekly cost function C(x)C(x), the weekly profit function P(x)P(x), the price xx that maximizes profit, and the maximum profit.

Step 1: Find the weekly cost function C(x)C(x)

The total weekly cost includes the fixed cost of $400 (for using the facilities) and the cost of producing qq T-shirts, where each T-shirt costs $8.

The demand equation gives the number of T-shirts you sell as a function of the price: q=50x+700q = -50x + 700 So, the cost of producing qq T-shirts is: 8q=8(50x+700)=400x+56008q = 8(-50x + 700) = -400x + 5600

Now, the total weekly cost is the sum of the fixed cost ($400) and the production cost: C(x)=400+(400x+5600)=400x+6000C(x) = 400 + (-400x + 5600) = -400x + 6000 So, the cost function is: C(x)=400x+6000C(x) = -400x + 6000

Step 2: Find the weekly profit function P(x)P(x)

Profit is the difference between revenue and cost. First, let's find the revenue function.

The revenue from selling qq T-shirts at xx dollars each is: R(x)=qx=(50x+700)x=50x2+700xR(x) = q \cdot x = (-50x + 700) \cdot x = -50x^2 + 700x

Now, the profit function is: P(x)=R(x)C(x)=(50x2+700x)(400x+6000)P(x) = R(x) - C(x) = (-50x^2 + 700x) - (-400x + 6000) Simplifying: P(x)=50x2+700x+400x6000=50x2+1100x6000P(x) = -50x^2 + 700x + 400x - 6000 = -50x^2 + 1100x - 6000

So, the profit function is: P(x)=50x2+1100x6000P(x) = -50x^2 + 1100x - 6000

Step 3: Maximize the profit function

To find the price xx that maximizes the profit, we need to find the vertex of the quadratic profit function P(x)=50x2+1100x6000P(x) = -50x^2 + 1100x - 6000. The vertex occurs at: x=b2ax = \frac{-b}{2a} where a=50a = -50 and b=1100b = 1100: x=11002(50)=1100100=11x = \frac{-1100}{2(-50)} = \frac{1100}{100} = 11 So, the unit price that maximizes the profit is x=11x = 11 dollars per T-shirt.

Step 4: Find the maximum profit

To find the maximum profit, substitute x=11x = 11 into the profit function: P(11)=50(11)2+1100(11)6000P(11) = -50(11)^2 + 1100(11) - 6000 Calculating each term: P(11)=50(121)+121006000=6050+121006000=50P(11) = -50(121) + 12100 - 6000 = -6050 + 12100 - 6000 = 50 So, the maximum profit is 50\boxed{50} dollars.

Summary:

  • The cost function is: C(x)=400x+6000C(x) = -400x + 6000
  • The profit function is: P(x)=50x2+1100x6000P(x) = -50x^2 + 1100x - 6000
  • The price to charge for the maximum profit is: x=11x = 11 dollars per T-shirt
  • The maximum profit is: 5050 dollars

Do you have any questions or would you like more details?

Related Questions:

  1. How would the cost function change if the production cost per T-shirt increased to $10?
  2. What would happen to the profit function if the facility cost increased to $500 per week?
  3. How does the demand equation affect the pricing strategy?
  4. What is the break-even price where you neither make a profit nor incur a loss?
  5. How would the maximum profit change if you sold 20 more shirts per week at the same price?

Tip:

Quadratic functions often model profit or revenue maximization problems, and the vertex formula is a key tool for finding maximum or minimum values efficiently.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Equations
Quadratic Equations
Cost and Revenue Functions
Profit Maximization

Formulas

Demand equation: q = -50x + 700
Cost function: C(x) = -400x + 6000
Revenue function: R(x) = (-50x + 700) * x
Profit function: P(x) = R(x) - C(x)
Vertex of quadratic: x = -b / 2a

Theorems

Quadratic formula for vertex

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12