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Grade 12 · Math · Calculus

12th grade Optimization problems worksheet

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Optimization problems

Grade 12 Math Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.

  1. Jun uses 72 m of fence to make two pens side by side: three fences of length x and two of length y. What x gives the most total area?

  2. Kira uses 90 m of fence to make two pens side by side: three fences of length x and two of length y. What x gives the most total area?

  3. Luz uses 120 m of fence to make two pens side by side: three fences of length x and two of length y. What x gives the most total area?

  4. Milo cuts a square of side x from each corner of a 12 cm square card and folds up an open box. What x gives the largest volume?

  5. Noah cuts a square of side x from each corner of a 18 cm square card and folds up an open box. What x gives the largest volume?

  6. Ren cuts a square of side x from each corner of a 30 cm square card and folds up an open box. What x gives the largest volume?

  7. Zee cuts a square of side x from each corner of a 24 cm square card and folds up an open box. What x gives the largest volume?

  8. A(x) = 30x − x² has A′(15) = 0, and A″(x) = −2. What can Tala conclude about x = 15?

    • A″ < 0 there, so x = 15 gives a maximum
    • A″ < 0 there, so x = 15 gives a minimum
    • A′(15) = 0 is enough to call x = 15 a maximum
  9. Jun's box volume V(x) = 4x³ − 48x² + 144x has V′(2) = 0, and V″(2) = −48. What does that show about x = 2?

    • V″ < 0 there, so x = 2 gives a minimum
    • V′(2) = 0 is enough to call x = 2 a maximum
    • V″ < 0 there, so x = 2 gives a maximum
  10. D(x) = x² − 8x + 20 has D′(4) = 0, and D″(x) = 2. What can Kira conclude about x = 4?

    • D′(4) = 0 is enough to call x = 4 a minimum
    • D″ > 0 there, so x = 4 gives a maximum
    • D″ > 0 there, so x = 4 gives a minimum
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12th grade Optimization problems worksheet – printable
Print: 123456

About this worksheet

Optimization: the best size for fences, boxes and other shapes. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can write the quantity to make best as a function of one variable.
  • I can find where its derivative is 0 and check it is a maximum or a minimum.
  • I can compare the critical point with the ends of an allowed range.
  • I can answer the question asked: the best size or the best value.

Standard: none (beyond CCSS)

Words to know

optimize: Make something as large or as small as it can be.

critical point: Where the derivative is 0 or does not exist.

allowed range: The x-values the story permits, like 0 ≤ x ≤ 8.

Common mistakes

Dropped the power that comes down when taking a derivative, so qx² gave q instead of 2qx.

Found the best value of the function, but the question asked where it happens (the x).

Used only one of the two equal sides when writing the length. Both widths use fence.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with optimization problems?

Dropped the power that comes down when taking a derivative, so qx² gave q instead of 2qx.

Are these 12th grade math worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

More calculus

See all Calculus

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