Math Problem Statement

Solve

The manager of a bicycle shop has found that, at a price (in dollars) of p(x) = 150 - x/4 per bicycle, x bicycles will be sold. a) Find an expression for the total revenue from the sale of x bicycles. b) Find the number of bicycle sales that leads to maximum revenue.

Solution

The given question asks us to find expressions related to bicycle sales and revenue.

Step 1: Given Information

  • The price function per bicycle p(x)p(x) is given by: p(x)=150x4p(x) = 150 - \frac{x}{4} where xx is the number of bicycles sold, and p(x)p(x) is the price per bicycle.

Part a: Expression for Total Revenue

Total revenue R(x)R(x) is found by multiplying the price per bicycle by the number of bicycles sold, i.e., R(x)=p(x)xR(x) = p(x) \cdot x Substitute the expression for p(x)p(x) into the equation: R(x)=(150x4)xR(x) = \left( 150 - \frac{x}{4} \right) x Simplify this: R(x)=150xx24R(x) = 150x - \frac{x^2}{4} Thus, the total revenue function is: R(x)=150xx24R(x) = 150x - \frac{x^2}{4}

Part b: Maximizing Revenue

To find the number of bicycle sales that leads to maximum revenue, we need to maximize the revenue function R(x)R(x). This involves finding the critical points by taking the derivative of R(x)R(x) and setting it equal to zero.

First, take the derivative of R(x)R(x): R(x)=1502x4R'(x) = 150 - \frac{2x}{4} Simplify: R(x)=150x2R'(x) = 150 - \frac{x}{2} Now, set R(x)=0R'(x) = 0 to find the critical points: 150x2=0150 - \frac{x}{2} = 0 x2=150\frac{x}{2} = 150 x=300x = 300

Conclusion

  • The total revenue function is R(x)=150xx24R(x) = 150x - \frac{x^2}{4}.
  • The number of bicycle sales that leads to maximum revenue is x=300x = 300.

Would you like more details or have any other questions?

Follow-up Questions:

  1. How would the revenue function change if the price formula had a different constant?
  2. What is the maximum possible revenue with x=300x = 300?
  3. How does the revenue change as the number of bicycles sold increases beyond 300?
  4. Can you verify the concavity of the function at x=300x = 300 to confirm it's a maximum?
  5. What happens to the price per bicycle when 300 units are sold?

Tip:

When finding maximum or minimum points for revenue or profit functions, always check the second derivative to confirm if it’s a maximum or minimum!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Revenue Maximization
Quadratic Functions
Differentiation

Formulas

Revenue function: R(x) = p(x) * x
p(x) = 150 - x/4
R'(x) = 0 for maximum revenue

Theorems

Derivative for finding critical points
Second derivative test for maxima and minima

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12