Notice: This page requires JavaScript to function properly.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings or update your browser.
Learn Challenge: Maximizing Profit Using Quadratic Functions | Functions and Their Properties
Mathematics for Data Science

bookChallenge: Maximizing Profit Using Quadratic Functions

Task

Swipe to start coding

A small business tracks its monthly profit over a 12-month period. You're given the company's profit function:

P(x)=x2+12x20P(x) = -x^2 + 12x - 20
  • xx = Number of units sold;
  • P(x)P(x) = Profit in $1000 units;
  • The negative coefficient of x2x^2 means profit increases to a point, then decreases due to production costs.

  1. Find the optimal number of units to sell — this is the vertex of the parabola, given by the formula:

    x=b2ax = -\frac{b}{2a}
  2. Find the breakeven points where profit is zero — the roots of the quadratic equation, calculated as:

    x=b±b24ac2ax = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

Solution

Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 1. Chapter 7
single

single

Ask AI

expand

Ask AI

ChatGPT

Ask anything or try one of the suggested questions to begin our chat

Suggested prompts:

Can you explain this in simpler terms?

What are the main takeaways from this?

Can you give me an example?

close

Awesome!

Completion rate improved to 1.96

bookChallenge: Maximizing Profit Using Quadratic Functions

Swipe to show menu

Task

Swipe to start coding

A small business tracks its monthly profit over a 12-month period. You're given the company's profit function:

P(x)=x2+12x20P(x) = -x^2 + 12x - 20
  • xx = Number of units sold;
  • P(x)P(x) = Profit in $1000 units;
  • The negative coefficient of x2x^2 means profit increases to a point, then decreases due to production costs.

  1. Find the optimal number of units to sell — this is the vertex of the parabola, given by the formula:

    x=b2ax = -\frac{b}{2a}
  2. Find the breakeven points where profit is zero — the roots of the quadratic equation, calculated as:

    x=b±b24ac2ax = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

Solution

Switch to desktopSwitch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below
Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 1. Chapter 7
single

single

some-alt