Question

A home gardener estimates that 18 apple trees will produce an average yield of 80 apples per tree. But because of the size of the garden, for each additional tree planted, the yield will decrease by four apples per tree. How many trees should be planted to maximize the total

Answer 1

19 trees should be planted to maximize the total

How many trees should be planted to maximize the total

From the question, we have the following parameters:

Number of apples, x = 18

Yield, f(x) = 80 per tree

When the number of apple trees is increased (say by x).

We have:

Trees = 18 + x

The yield decreases by four apples per tree.

So, we have

Yield = 80 - 4x

So, the profit function is

P(x) = Apples * Yield

This gives

P(x) = (18 + x) *(80 - 4x)

Expand the bracket

P(x) = 1440 - 72x + 80x - 4x^2

Differentiate the function

P'(x) = 0 - 72 + 80 - 8x

Evaluate the like terms

P'(x) = 8 - 8x

Set P'(x) to 0

8 - 8x = 0

Divide through by 8

1 - x = 0

Solve for x

x = 1

Recall that:

Trees = 18 + x

So, we have

Trees = 18 + 1

Evaluate

Trees = 19

Hence, 19 trees should be planted to maximize the total

Read more about quadratic functions at:

brainly.com/question/12120831

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