<span>4x + 8 = −2 − 2 + 5x
5x - 4x = 8 + 4
x = 12
There's only one solution, x = 12</span>
Usually one will differentiate the function to find the minimum/maximum point, but in this case differentiating yields:

which contains multiple solution if one tries to solve for x when the differentiated form is 0.
I would, though, venture a guess that the minimum value would be (approaching) 5, since the function would be undefined in the vicinity.
If, however, the function is

Then differentiating and equating to 0 yields:

which gives:

or

We reject x=5 as it is when it ix the maximum and thus,

, for
Because in the numerator and denominator of the fraction 1a/3a, you're able to simplify that and get 1/3. There is actually no solution to the problem you're asking. You're unable to find out what (a) equals.
Answer: 12 cups
Step-by-step explanation: