The Art of Constrained Optimization
A Journey Through the Cubic Landscape
Welcome, fellow traveler of the mathematical realm. Today, we are not just solving a problem; we are embarking on a journey to understand the behavior of a cubic function.
We are given the function f(x)=2x3−15x2+36x−48, but we are confined to a specific domain defined by the inequality x2+20≤9x. Let us break this down step by step.
Phase 1
Decoding the Domain (The Fence)
Before we analyze the cubic function, we must determine the allowed interval for x. The condition x2+20≤9x can be rearranged into a standard quadratic inequality:
Factoring this quadratic expression, we obtain:
This inequality holds true when x is trapped in the closed interval [4,5]. This is our narrow corridor on the x-axis; we only care about the function's behavior within this range.
Phase 2
The Calculus Lens (The Slope)
Now, let us examine the function f(x)=2x3−15x2+36x−48. To understand whether the function is climbing or falling, we calculate its derivative with respect to x:
To simplify the analysis, we factor out the common term 6:
Further factoring the quadratic term yields:
Phase 3
The Monotonicity Insight (The Climb)
The slope is zero at the critical points x=2 and x=3. However, these points are completely outside our allowed domain of [4,5].
Since the function does not change direction within our interval, we test the sign of the derivative. For any x∈[4,5], both (x−2) and (x−3) are positive, meaning f′(x)>0.
Therefore, the function is strictly increasing throughout the entire interval [4,5].
Phase 4
The Final Destination
Because the function is strictly increasing, it gains altitude continuously as x moves from 4 to 5. Consequently, the maximum value must occur at the rightmost boundary, x=5.
We substitute x=5 into the original function:
f(5)=2(5)3−15(5)2+36(5)−48
Performing the arithmetic:
f(5)=2(125)−15(25)+180−48
f(5)=250−375+180−48
f(5)=430−423=7
The maximum value of the function within the given constraint is 7.