MATH 1550 Chapter : Optimization Problems
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Get a good mental understanding of the problem. Some quantities are changing and you need to be able to distinguish in your mind which quantities are changing and which are constant. Step 2: if possible, draw a diagram of the situation. Label the parts that are changing (use variables for these quantities) and those that are constant. For each variable, write a complete sentence that tells the reader for what the variable stands. Pay attention to the units of measurement for each variable. In addition, specifically identify which variable (quantity), call it q for the moment, is to be minimized or maximized. Step 4: express the information in the problem in terms of the variables defined in step 3. Write equations that exist between the different quantities. You may need to use geometric and/or trigonometric relations between the variables. Be certain that q is expressed in at least one of the equations.
