Questions on 2 Vectors: Solving for x & y; Maximum Profit

  • Thread starter danago
  • Start date
In summary, the conversation discusses two topics: solving for x and y in two equations and determining profit for a company. For the first topic, the equations are rewritten in terms of either x or y and solved simultaneously. For the second topic, the equations for revenue and cost are given, along with a set-up cost, and the profit equation is determined. The company needs to sell more than 7.4 items to be profitable, but to maximize profit, they should sell around 18.2 items. The conversation also includes a vector question, where the magnitude of c-d is calculated and its direction is found to be 126 degrees.
  • #1
danago
Gold Member
1,123
4
Hey. This is my second topic like this. I have exams coming up soon, and was given a few practice exams for a few of my classes. Some of the questions in the exams i am unable to do, or am unsure of my solution. All help is greatly appreciated.

1. Solve for x and y:
[tex]
\begin{array}{l}
\frac{{2^x }}{{4^y }} = 16 \\
\log _3 (x + y) = 1 \\
\end{array}
[/tex]


What i understand is that i need to make both equations in terms of either x or y, and then solve simultaneously. I managed the first one, but am a bit stuck with the second. For the first one i got:

[tex]
\begin{array}{l}
\frac{{2^x }}{{4^y }} = 16 \\
\therefore x\log 2 - y\log 4 = log 16 \\
\therefore x\log 2 = y\log 4 + log 16 \\
\therefore x = \frac{{y\log 4 + log 16}}{{\log 2}} \\
\end{array}
[/tex]

______________________________________________​

2. A company sells items such that the revenue, in dollars, received from selling x items is given by:
[tex]
R(x) = 2x(40x - x^2 )
[/tex]

The cost, in dollars, of producing x items is given by:
[tex]
C(x) = 2(20x + 200)
[/tex]

There is a set-up cost of $1000

a) Show clearly that the profit is given by:
[tex]
P(x) = 60x^2 - 2x^3 - 200x - 1000
[/tex]
b) Determine how many items the company needs to sell to be profitable
c) Determine how many need to be sold for maximum profit
d) Determine the maximum profit possible
e) Determine the marginal revenue on 10 items. Explain clearly what this represents.

a) I said that:
[tex]
\displaylines{
P(x) = R(x) - C(x) \cr
= (80x^2 - 2x^3 ) - (20x^2 + 200x + 1000) \cr
= 60x^2 - 2x^3 + 200x - 1000 \cr}
[/tex]

b) For the company to reach a point where any further revenue is profit, P(x) would be equal to 0 (ie. [tex]P(x) = 0[/tex])

[tex]P(x) = 0[/tex] when [tex]x=7.4[/tex], so i said that for the company to be profitable, [tex]x > 7.4[/tex].

Aswell as the cubic equalling 0 when x=7.4, it also equals 0 when x=25.3. So should i say that for the company to be profitable, it needs to sell x number of items, where:
[tex]25.3 > x > 7.4[/tex]
?

c) For maximum profit, i just graphed the function P(x), and looked for a maximum where [tex]25.3 > x > 7.4[/tex]. The answer i got was x=18.2.

d) For max profit, i just found P(18.2), which equals approximately $3177

e) I am not entirely sure what this means. What is marginal revenue? I looked it up on google, and from what i understand, its the change in revenue per unit. Change in revenue would be given by:
[tex]
\frac{{dR}}{{dx}} = 160x - 6x^2
[/tex]

When 10 items are sold (ie. x=10):
[tex]
\frac{{dR}}{{dx}} = 1000
[/tex]

Does this mean that when 10 items are sold, the revenue is increasing by $1000 per item sold?

To me, that all looks correct, but id like some confirmation. Also, for this type of question, since 1 item is considered 1 unit, instead of using decimal numbers, should i round my numbers to whole numbers. So instead of [tex]25.3 > x > 7.4[/tex], should i be saying [tex]25 > x > 8[/tex].

______________________________________________​

2. c is a vector of magnitude 5 units with a bearing of 105 degrees. d is a vector of magnitude 7 units and a bearing of 320 degrees. Draw a clear diagram and then calculate the magnitude of c-d.

Heres my diagram:
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/212/q101jo.gif

I put them in component form...so:
[tex]
\begin{array}{l}
\overrightarrow c = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{5\cos 15} \\
{ - 5\sin 15} \\
\end{array}} \right) \\
\overrightarrow d = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{ - 7\sin 40} \\
{7\cos 40} \\
\end{array}} \right) \\
\end{array}
[/tex]

[tex]
\begin{array}{l}
\overrightarrow c - \overrightarrow d = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c}
{5\cos 15 + 7\sin 40} \\
{ - 5\sin 15 - 7\cos 40} \\
\end{array}} \right) \\
\therefore \left| {\overrightarrow c - \overrightarrow d } \right| = 11.46 \\
\end{array}
[/tex]

on a bearing of 126 degrees.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
For #1.
You must take the log of BOTH sides of the equation. So your left hand side should be log 16. It may be interesting to use use log 2 .

For the second equation, Consider the definition of loga:

if x = ay then y=logax
 
  • #3
Oops. Just realized that with that first one, i copied my working out wrong. I did originally take logs of both sides. And yea, with the second one, it just clicked to me that a the log of the same number as its base is 1, so x+y=3.

Thanks for the reply
 
  • #4
Your vector question is also correct. Note that the question only required the magnitude, you gave the bearing also. If this question was in an exam I would not waste time calculating the direction if it was not required; however, I see no harm doing it here or in an exam if you have extra time and are bored :wink:

~H
 
  • #5
Well actually, i did need to find direction aswell, i just forgot to write it in my question :P

And thanks again for the reply.
 

FAQ: Questions on 2 Vectors: Solving for x & y; Maximum Profit

How do I solve for x and y in a vector equation?

To solve for x and y in a vector equation, you will need to use the properties of vectors such as addition, subtraction, and scalar multiplication. Set up your equation with all of the known values and use algebraic manipulations to isolate the variables x and y. You can also use graphical methods or matrices to solve for x and y.

What is the difference between a scalar and a vector?

A scalar is a quantity that only has magnitude, or size, while a vector has both magnitude and direction. Examples of scalars include time, temperature, and energy, while examples of vectors include displacement, velocity, and force. Vectors are typically represented by an arrow, with the length representing the magnitude and the direction of the arrow representing the direction.

How can I determine the maximum profit in a vector problem?

To determine the maximum profit in a vector problem, you will need to use the concept of optimization. This involves finding the maximum or minimum value of a function, which in this case would be the profit function. You can use techniques such as differentiation or graphing to find the maximum value of the function.

Can I use vectors to solve real-world problems?

Yes, vectors are commonly used in real-world problems, especially in physics and engineering. They can be used to represent quantities such as motion, forces, and electric fields. By using vectors, we can accurately describe and predict the behavior of physical systems.

Are there any limitations to using vectors in problem-solving?

While vectors are a powerful tool in problem-solving, they do have some limitations. One limitation is that they can only be used to describe quantities that have both magnitude and direction. Also, some problems may involve multiple vectors acting on a system, which can make the calculations more complex. In these cases, it may be helpful to break down the vectors into their components to simplify the problem.

Similar threads

Replies
14
Views
3K
Replies
21
Views
1K
Replies
16
Views
4K
Replies
11
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Back
Top