CRE 4 - Maximization / Minimization | Algebra - Inequalities & Modulus
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If xy = 16, find the least possible value of x + y. (x, y > 0)
- (a)
16
- (b)
4
- (c)
8
- (d)
Cannot be determined
Answer: Option C
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Explanation :
We know, AM ≥ GM [equality occurs when the numbers are equal]
∴ For two numbers, x and y
⇒ ≥
⇒ x + y ≥ 2 × √16
⇒ x + y ≥ 8
∴ Least possible value of (x + y) is 8. [This happen when x = y = 4.]
Note: When product of two numbers is constant, their sum is least possible when the two numbers are equal (or as close to each other as possible).
Hence, option (c).
Workspace:
If x + y = 16, find the highest possible value of x × y. (x, y > 0)
- (a)
16
- (b)
64
- (c)
32
- (d)
Cannot be determined
Answer: Option B
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Explanation :
We know, AM ≥ GM [equality occurs when the numbers are equal]
∴ For two numbers, x and y
⇒ ≥
⇒ 16 ≥ 2 ×
⇒ ≤ 8
⇒ xy ≤ 64
∴ Highest possible value of x × y is 64. [This happen when x = y = 8.]
Note: When sum of two numbers is constant, their product is highest possible when the two numbers are equal (or as close to each other as possible).
Hence, option (b).
Workspace:
If x2y = 32, find the least possible value of x + y. (x, y > 0)
- (a)
16
- (b)
6
- (c)
8
- (d)
Cannot be determined
Answer: Option B
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Explanation :
In such cases we divided the coefficient of the variable with corresponding power and write the sum in following way.
x + y = + + y
Now we have three terms, , and y.
We know, AM ≥ GM [equality occurs when the numbers are equal]
⇒ ≥
⇒ x + y ≥ 3 ×
⇒ x + y ≥ 3 ×
⇒ x + y ≥ 3 × 2
⇒ x + y ≥ 6
∴ Least possible value of (x + y) is 6. [This happen when = = y = 2.]
Hence, option (b).
Workspace:
If x2y3 = 32, find the least possible value of 2x + 3y. (x, y > 0)
- (a)
16
- (b)
6
- (c)
10
- (d)
Cannot be determined
Answer: Option C
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Explanation :
In such cases we divided the coefficient of the variable with corresponding power and write the sum in following way.
2x +3y = x + x + y + y + y
Now we have five terms, x, x, y, y and y.
We know, AM ≥ GM [equality occurs when the numbers are equal]
⇒ ≥
⇒ 2x + 3y ≥ 5 ×
⇒ 2x + 3y ≥ 5 ×
⇒ 2x + 3y ≥ 10
∴ Least possible value of (2x + 3y) is 10. [This happen when x = x = y = y = y = 2]
Hence, option (c).
Workspace:
If x2y3 = 48, find the least possible value of 3x + 2y. (x, y > 0)
- (a)
16
- (b)
6
- (c)
10
- (d)
Cannot be determined
Answer: Option C
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Explanation :
In such cases we divided the coefficient of the variable with corresponding power and write the sum in following way.
3x + 2y = + + + +
Now we have five terms, , , , and .
We know, AM ≥ GM [equality occurs when the numbers are equal]
⇒ ≥
⇒ 2x + 3y ≥ 5 ×
⇒ 2x + 3y ≥ 5 ×
⇒ 2x + 3y ≥ 10
∴ Least possible value of (2x + 3y) is 10. [This happen when = = = = = 2]
Hence, option (c).
Workspace:
If 3x + y = 9, find the highest possible value of x2y. (x, y > 0)
- (a)
27
- (b)
12
- (c)
18
- (d)
Cannot be determined
Answer: Option B
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Explanation :
In such cases we divided the coefficient of the variable with corresponding power and write the sum in following way.
3x + y = + + y
Now we have three terms, , , and y.
We know, AM ≥ GM [equality occurs when the numbers are equal]
⇒ ≥
⇒ ≥
⇒ ≥
⇒ 3 ≥
⇒ ≤ 27
⇒ x2y ≤ 12
∴ Highest possible value of (3x + y) is 12. [This happen when = = y = 3]
Hence, option (b).
Workspace:
The sum of three distinct natural numbers is 35. What is the maximum value of their product?
Answer: 1560
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Explanation :
Let the three natural numbers be a, b and c
⇒ a + b + c = 35
We need to find the maximum value of their product.
We know, when sum of two or more numbers is constant, their product is highest possible when the numbers are equal (or as close to each other as possible).
Since, the three numbers are distinct, to maximize their product the numbers should be as close to each other as possible.
Hence, we need to write 35 as a sum of 3 distinct integers which are as to each other as possible.
∴ 35 = 10 + 12 + 13
∴ a × b × c = 10 × 12 × 13 = 1560
Hence, 1560.
Workspace:
x + y + z = 6 where x,y,z are three positive real numbers. Find the maximum value of (x + y)(y + z)(z + x).
Answer: 64
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Explanation :
Given, x + y + z = 6.
Let us consider three numbers (x + y), (y + z) and (z + x)
We know, AM ≥ GM
⇒ ≥
⇒ ≥
⇒ ≥
⇒ 4 ≥
⇒ (x + y)(y + z)(z + x) ≤ 64
Hence, 64.
Workspace:
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