The daily production costs for a golf ball manufacturer can be modeled with the function [tex]C(x) = 0.1 x^2 - 7 x + 140[/tex], where [tex]C(x)[/tex] is the total cost and [tex]x[/tex] is the number of golf balls produced per hour. Use the graph to answer the question.



Answer :

Certainly! Let's analyze the cost function [tex]\( C(x) = 0.1x^2 - 7x + 140 \)[/tex] to find the number of golf balls [tex]\( x \)[/tex] that minimizes the production cost. Here's a step-by-step solution:

1. Identify the cost function:
The given cost function is:
[tex]\[ C(x) = 0.1x^2 - 7x + 140 \][/tex]

2. Find the critical points:
To find the critical points, we need to take the first derivative of the cost function [tex]\( C(x) \)[/tex] and set it to zero:
[tex]\[ C'(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(0.1x^2 - 7x + 140) = 0.2x - 7 \][/tex]
Set the first derivative equal to zero to solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 0.2x - 7 = 0 \][/tex]
Solving for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x = \frac{7}{0.2} = 35 \][/tex]
So, the critical point is at [tex]\( x = 35 \)[/tex].

3. Classify the critical point:
To determine whether this critical point is a minimum or maximum, we take the second derivative of the cost function [tex]\( C(x) \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ C''(x) = \frac{d^2}{dx^2}(0.1x^2 - 7x + 140) = 0.2 \][/tex]
The second derivative [tex]\( C''(x) = 0.2 \)[/tex] is positive, meaning the function [tex]\( C(x) \)[/tex] is concave upwards at [tex]\( x = 35 \)[/tex]. Hence, [tex]\( x = 35 \)[/tex] corresponds to a minimum point.

4. Calculate the minimum cost:
Substitute [tex]\( x = 35 \)[/tex] back into the original cost function to find the minimum cost:
[tex]\[ C(35) = 0.1(35)^2 - 7(35) + 140 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ C(35) = 0.1(1225) - 245 + 140 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ C(35) = 122.5 - 245 + 140 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ C(35) = 17.5 \][/tex]

Therefore, the number of golf balls [tex]\( x \)[/tex] that minimizes the daily production cost is [tex]\( x = 35 \)[/tex], and the minimum cost is [tex]\( C(35) = 17.5 \)[/tex].

In summary:
- The critical point is [tex]\( x = 35 \)[/tex].
- The second derivative at the critical point is positive ([tex]\( C''(x) = 0.2 \)[/tex]), confirming that it is a minimum.
- The minimum production cost is [tex]\( \$17.5 \)[/tex] when 35 golf balls are produced per hour.

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