📘 IB Mathematics: Optimization – Class
Notes
🔹 1. What Is Optimization?
Optimization means finding the maximum or minimum value of a function — often under
certain conditions or constraints.
It is widely used to solve real-world problems such as:
● Minimizing cost or distance
● Maximizing area, profit, or volume
● Finding the most efficient solution
🔹 2. General Steps for Solving Optimization Problems
1. Define variables
○ Choose symbols (e.g. x,yx, yx,y) to represent the quantities in the problem.
2. Write the function to optimize
○ Express the quantity to maximize/minimize (e.g. area, volume, profit) as a
function f(x)f(x)f(x).
3. Apply constraints
○ Use the given conditions to express the function in one variable.
4. Differentiate
○ Compute f′(x)f'(x)f′(x) to find critical points.
5. Find critical points
○ Solve f′(x)=0f'(x) = 0f′(x)=0 (and check if any endpoints must be considered).
6. Determine maxima/minima
○ Use the second derivative test or compare function values.
7. Interpret results
○ Write the final answer in context (e.g. “The maximum area is … when x=…x =
…x=…”).
🔹 3. First Derivative Test
● If f′(x)f'(x)f′(x) changes from positive → negative, the point is a local maximum.
● If f′(x)f'(x)f′(x) changes from negative → positive, the point is a local minimum.
● If f′(x)f'(x)f′(x) doesn’t change sign → neither.
🔹 4. Second Derivative Test
If f′′(x)f''(x)f′′(x) exists at the critical point xcx_cxc:
f′′(xc)f''(x_c) Type of point
f′′(xc)
>0> 0>0 Local minimum
<0< 0<0 Local maximum
=0= 0=0 Inconclusive (use 1st derivative
test)
🔹 5. Common Optimization Examples
🟩 Example 1: Maximizing Area of a Rectangle with Fixed Perimeter
● Let the perimeter be PPP and sides be xxx and yyy.
2x+2y=P⇒y=P2−x2x + 2y = P \Rightarrow y = \frac{P}{2} - x2x+2y=P⇒y=2P−x
● Area: A=xy=x(P2−x)A = xy = x\left(\frac{P}{2} - x\right)A=xy=x(2P−x)
● Simplify: A=P2x−x2A = \frac{P}{2}x - x^2A=2Px−x2
● Differentiate: A′=P2−2x=0⇒x=P4A' = \frac{P}{2} - 2x = 0 \Rightarrow x =
\frac{P}{4}A′=2P−2x=0⇒x=4P
● Then y=P4y = \frac{P}{4}y=4P→ square gives max area.
✅ Conclusion: For a fixed perimeter, the rectangle of maximum area is a square.
🟦 Example 2: Minimizing Cost of an Open Box
● Square base with side xxx, height hhh, volume VVV:
V=x2h⇒h=Vx2V = x^2h \Rightarrow h = \frac{V}{x^2}V=x2h⇒h=x2V
● Surface area (no top): A=x2+4xh=x2+4VxA = x^2 + 4xh = x^2 +
\frac{4V}{x}A=x2+4xh=x2+x4V
● Minimize A(x)A(x)A(x):
A′(x)=2x−4Vx2=0⇒x3=2VA'(x) = 2x - \frac{4V}{x^2} = 0 \Rightarrow x^3 =
2VA′(x)=2x−x24V=0⇒x3=2V x=2V3,h=Vx2=V(2V)2/3=x2x = \sqrt[3]{2V}, \quad h =
\frac{V}{x^2} = \frac{V}{(2V)^{2/3}} = \frac{x}{2}x=32V,h=x2V=(2V)2/3V=2x
✅ Conclusion: Height = half of base side gives minimum surface area.
🟨 Example 3: Maximizing Profit
If:
Revenue R(x)=price×quantity,Cost C(x)\text{Revenue } R(x) = \text{price} \times \text{quantity},
\quad \text{Cost } C(x)Revenue R(x)=price×quantity,Cost C(x)
Then:
Profit P(x)=R(x)−C(x)\text{Profit } P(x) = R(x) - C(x)Profit P(x)=R(x)−C(x)
To maximize profit:
1. Differentiate: P′(x)=0P'(x) = 0P′(x)=0
2. Use second derivative test or endpoints to verify maximum.
🔹 6. Applications in IB Problems
● Geometry: Max/min area, perimeter, or volume.
● Economics: Maximize profit, minimize cost.
● Physics: Shortest time, least resistance, optimal path.
● Biology: Population models, enzyme rates, etc.
🔹 7. Common Mistakes
🚫 Forgetting to:
● Express the function in one variable before differentiating.
● Check domain restrictions (e.g. lengths ≥ 0).
● Interpret the answer in context.
● Test if the point is a maximum or minimum.
🔹 8. Quick Summary Table
Ste Action Purpose
p
1 Define variables Translate word problem to math
2 Write objective function Identify what to maximize/minimize
3 Apply constraints Express in one variable
4 Differentiate Find rate of change
5 Solve f′(x)=0f'(x)=0f′(x)=0 Find critical points
6 Test sign/second Confirm max/min
derivative
7 Interpret Give answer in context
🔹 9. Graphical Interpretation
● At a minimum: tangent slope = 0, concave up.
● At a maximum: tangent slope = 0, concave down.
● Graph shape near turning points helps visualize behavior.
