Calculus & Vectors (MCV4U) · Curve Sketching Optimization

Optimization Problems - Geometric

30 tutor-authored questions for this Ontario curriculum expectation, ordered easiest to hardest, every one with a full worked solution. Work through all 30 with your weekly-lesson access code.

Start the 30 questions Curriculum: MCV4U-CSO.5

Sample: the first question, solved

"A rectangular garden uses 80m of fencing for all four sides. Using calculus, find the side length that maximizes the area (a square)."

📘 Worked solution
Let the sides be w and l with 2w+2l=80, so l=40−w. Area A(w)=w(40−w)=40w−w². A'(w)=40−2w=0 gives w=20, and by symmetry l=20 too - the enclosed square's side is w = 20 m.

And one from the hard end

"An open-top cylindrical can must hold 250cm³. Find the dimensions minimizing surface area (SA=πr²+2πrh)."

Solution shown after you try it in practice mode.

Work through all 30, easiest to hardest

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