Math Problem Statement

At a canning company the daily production cost, y, is given by the quadratic equation y=650-15x + 0.45x^2 , where x is the number of canned items. What is the MINIMUM daily production cost?

Reminder x^2 same as squaring the number. Means 2 is an exponent. * 5 points $1025.00 $1,186.25 $536.25 $525.00

Solution

The given quadratic equation for the daily production cost yy is:

y=65015x+0.45x2y = 650 - 15x + 0.45x^2

Where xx is the number of canned items. To find the minimum daily production cost, we need to determine the value of xx that minimizes the quadratic function.

Step 1: Identify the coefficients of the quadratic equation

The quadratic equation is in the standard form:

y=ax2+bx+cy = ax^2 + bx + c

Where:

  • a=0.45a = 0.45 (the coefficient of x2x^2)
  • b=15b = -15 (the coefficient of xx)
  • c=650c = 650 (the constant)

Step 2: Find the vertex

The minimum (or maximum) value of a quadratic function occurs at the vertex. The formula to find the value of xx at the vertex is:

x=b2ax = \frac{-b}{2a}

Substituting a=0.45a = 0.45 and b=15b = -15:

x=(15)2(0.45)=150.9=16.67x = \frac{-(-15)}{2(0.45)} = \frac{15}{0.9} = 16.67

Thus, the number of canned items xx that minimizes the daily production cost is approximately 16.6716.67.

Step 3: Calculate the minimum daily production cost

Now, substitute x=16.67x = 16.67 back into the original equation to find yy:

y=65015(16.67)+0.45(16.67)2y = 650 - 15(16.67) + 0.45(16.67)^2

First, calculate each term:

  • 15(16.67)=250.05-15(16.67) = -250.05
  • 0.45(16.67)2=0.45×278.89=125.500.45(16.67)^2 = 0.45 \times 278.89 = 125.50

Now, substitute these values into the equation:

y=650250.05+125.50=525.45y = 650 - 250.05 + 125.50 = 525.45

Step 4: Conclusion

The minimum daily production cost is approximately $525.00, which matches the option $525.00.


Would you like more details on any of these steps? Here are five related questions:

  1. How do we determine if a quadratic equation has a minimum or maximum?
  2. Can you explain how the vertex formula works for quadratic functions?
  3. How can we approximate the number of canned items for a given production cost?
  4. What are some other methods to solve quadratic equations?
  5. What is the significance of the coefficient of x2x^2 in quadratic functions?

Tip: The sign of the coefficient of x2x^2 determines whether the parabola opens upward (minimum) or downward (maximum).

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Optimization

Formulas

Quadratic function: y = ax^2 + bx + c
Vertex formula: x = -b / (2a)

Theorems

Vertex theorem of quadratic functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11