Math Problem Statement

A company that produces cell phones has a cost function C = 28x^2 - 371x + 3125, where C is the cost in dollars and x is the number of cell phones produced (in thousands). How many units of cell phones (in thousands) minimizes the cost function?

Solution

The given cost function is C(x)=28x2371x+3125C(x) = 28x^2 - 371x + 3125, where CC represents the cost in dollars, and xx is the number of cell phones produced (in thousands).

To find the number of units that minimizes the cost, we need to calculate the value of xx that minimizes this quadratic function.

Steps:

  1. The cost function is a quadratic equation in the form: C(x)=ax2+bx+cC(x) = ax^2 + bx + c where a=28a = 28, b=371b = -371, and c=3125c = 3125.

  2. For any quadratic function ax2+bx+cax^2 + bx + c, the value of xx that minimizes (or maximizes) the function is given by: x=b2ax = -\frac{b}{2a}

  3. Substituting the values of aa and bb: x=3712(28)=371566.63x = -\frac{-371}{2(28)} = \frac{371}{56} \approx 6.63

Thus, the company should produce approximately 6.63 thousand cell phones (or 6630 units) to minimize the cost.

Would you like more details, or do you have any further questions?

Here are 5 related questions for deeper understanding:

  1. What is the significance of the coefficients in the cost function?
  2. How can you verify whether this value of xx truly minimizes the cost function?
  3. What is the cost at the minimum production level?
  4. How does the second derivative test confirm the minimum?
  5. Can this model be extended to predict costs for different production levels?

Tip: The vertex formula x=b2ax = -\frac{b}{2a} is useful for finding the minimum or maximum of any quadratic function.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Quadratic Functions
Optimization

Formulas

C(x) = ax^2 + bx + c
x = -b/(2a)

Theorems

Vertex of a parabola formula
Optimization of quadratic functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12