Optimization

Finding the best

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• To optimize: write the quantity as a function, set its derivative to 0, solve, and check.
• Check the endpoints and what makes sense physically, not just where f′ = 0.
• Calculus explains why squares maximize fenced area, and the best shape for a can.

Steps

1. The open box
2. The recipe
3. Fence, revisited
4. Pricing
5. Least sum of squares
6. Cheapest can