6.

3 Optimisation for Functions of One Variable

6.3.1 Slope of a curve and turning points
Optimisation is mainly concerned with finding maximum and minimum points, also known
as stationary points, on a curve. Applications include finding maximum and minimum values for
functions such as profit, cost, utility and production.
Remember, the slope of the curve at a point is the same as the slope of the tangent at that
point. Figure 6.12 shows four turning points, two minima and two maxima, with the tangents
drawn at these points. Note these are called 'local' minimum and maximum points as opposed to
'global' or absolute minimum and maximum points.
In Figure 6.12 the tangents drawn at the turning points are horizontal, so they have no
slope; that is, slope = 0. One can prove, with calculus that at turningpoints theslope of a curve is
alwayszero. This fact provides the key to finding the exact coordinates of turning points.
The argument is as follows:
• We know that dy/dx gives the equation for slope at any point (x,y).
• We know slope = 0 at turningpoints.
• So,dy/dx= 0 at turning points
Therefore, to find the x-coordinates of the turning
points for a curve y = f(x), the following method
is used:
Step 1: Find dy/dx for the given curve y = f(x).
Step 2: Solve the equation dy/dx = 0.
The solution of this equation gives the x-
coordinates of the turning points. Notes
(i) If the equation dy/dx = 0 has no solution, then
there is no turning point,
(ii) While it is true that at turning points we can
say dy/dx = 0, the converse is not always true. If
dy/dx0 at a point, it may indeed be a turning point
but it could be a point of inflection.
Table 6.7 briefly outlines some other terminology that is commonly used in optimisation.
Example 6.16
6.3.2 Determining maximum and minimum turning points
The next step is to determine whether each turning point is a maximum or a minimum. We
could of course plot the graphs, since we know the precise turning points as in Figure 6.13, but
this is time-consuming and not practical in the long term. Before proceeding to a method that will
enable us to determine whether a point is a maximum or a minimum, here are some points to note.
Testing for minimum and maximum points
Figure 6.15 illustrates how slope changes as we move through maximum and minimum points.

 As we move through a maximum point, illustrated in Figure 6.15(a), the slope v' changes
from being positive before the maximum (as y increases towards the maximum), zero at
the maximum and negative after the maximum (as y decreases down from the maximum).
 As we move through a minimum point, illustrated in Figure 6.15(b) the slope v' changes
from being negative before the minimum (as v decreases down to the minimum),zero at
the minimum and positive after (as y increases away from the minimum).
This behaviour provides two methods of determining whether a turning point is a maximum
or a minimum. Start by calculating the value of x at which dy/dx = 0. Call this value x = 0. Also
determine d2x/dy2 and evaluate it at X0. This is written symbolically as