Cost Function Minimization Strategy

00:00 4 marks

  • Exam Style - Paper 1
  • SL
  • Tier 2
  • Derivatives
  • Optimization
  • Cost functions
  • Stationary Points

A company manufactures a product where the cost, \(C(x)\), in dollars, is modeled by \(C(x) = 0.5x^2 – 40x + 1000\), where \(x\) is the number of units produced. Find the value of \(x\) that minimizes the cost and calculate the minimum cost.

Hint Hint

Hint

Differentiate the cost function, set the derivative equal to zero, and solve for \(x\).

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Complete Answer

The cost is minimized when \(x = 40\) units, and the minimum cost is \(\$200\).

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