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PS2_2024_solutions (1)

The document outlines two problem-solving activities involving optimization and approximation techniques. Problem 1 focuses on finding the rectangle with the shortest diagonal under a parabola, while Problem 2 involves deriving the Maclaurin polynomial for the logarithmic function and estimating log(0.6) with an error bound. Each problem includes detailed calculations and instructions for grading the solutions.

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10 views

PS2_2024_solutions (1)

The document outlines two problem-solving activities involving optimization and approximation techniques. Problem 1 focuses on finding the rectangle with the shortest diagonal under a parabola, while Problem 2 involves deriving the Maclaurin polynomial for the logarithmic function and estimating log(0.6) with an error bound. Each problem includes detailed calculations and instructions for grading the solutions.

Uploaded by

juliaasepulveda21
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CNM. Problem solving activity 2. Solutions and rubric.

11 Nov 2024

Problem 1. (4.5 p.) A rectangle has its lower side on the x-axis while the opposite upper side has its
vertices on the parabola y = 11 − x2 . Find the rectangle whose diagonal is the shortest possible and
determine the length of this diagonal.

ˆ First, we consider the four vertices of the rectangle: (x, y) in the first quadrant, (x, 0), (−x, 0) and
(−x, y). The horizontal sides have length 2x and the vertical sides are y in length, so that the
diagonal measures
p p
D = (2x)2 + y 2 = 4x2 + y 2

ˆ Now we use that x2 = 11 − y so that D = y 2 − 4y + 44. Also, the value of y verifies 0 < y < 11.
p

ˆ We find the global minimum of f (y) = y 2 − 4y + 44 over the interval (0, 11).
p

2y − 4 y−2
ˆ The derivative of f is: f ′ (y) = p = p , which takes negative values on
2
2 y − 4y + 44 2
y − 4y + 44
(0, 2) and positive ones on (2, 11). Thus, f is decreasing on [0, 2] and increasing on [2, 11] so that
the global minimum is at y = 2. From x2 = 11 − y we get x2 = 9 and then x = 3 because x > 0.

ˆ The vertices of our rectangle are: (3, 2), (3, 0), (−3, 0) and (−3, 2) (base 6 and height 2).
√ √
ˆ The length of the diagonal is f (2) = 22 − 4 · 2 + 44 = 40.

Note. There are some other possibilities. We can write the diagonal depending on x only:
p √ √
D= 4x2 + (11 − x2 )2 = x4 − 18x2 + 121, 0<x< 11
and show that the global minimum is at x = 3. Other possibilities include doing calculations without
the square root because the points at which they reach the minimum are the same as when we use the
expression with the square root.

Instructions to mark the exercise

ˆ For a correct expression of the function to minimize as well as the interval to consider: 2 points

ˆ If the calculations of the derivative as well as the corresponding points where the minimum can be
attained (including the values of the vertices and the length of the diagonal): 1.5 points

ˆ If there is a correct explanation about why the global minimum is attained (sign of the first derivative
or properties of a parabola): 1 point. No marks if you use the second derivative to find the global
minimum.
Problem 2. (4.5 p.) We define f (x) = log(1 − x).

1. Find the Maclaurin polynomial of f of order 6.

2. Find an approximation of the number log(0.6) by using the polynomial in part 1).

3. Determine an upper bound on the error of the estimate.

1 The first six derivatives of f (x) = log(1 − x) are


−1
f ′ (x) = = −(1 − x)−1 , f ′′ (x) = −(1 − x)−2 , f (3) (x) = −2(1 − x)−3 ,
1−x
f (4) (x) = −3!(1 − x)−4 , f (5) (x) = −4!(1 − x)−5 , f (6) (x) = −5!(1 − x)−6

And their values at a = 0 are:

f (0) = 0, f ′ (0) = −1, f (2) (0) = −1, f (3) (0) = −2, f (4) (0) = −3!, f (5) (0) = −4!, f (6) (0) = −5!

The polynomial is
x x2 2x3 3! · x4 4! · x5 5! · x6 x2 x3 x4 x5 x6
P6 (x) = − − − − − − = −x − − − − −
1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 2 3 4 5 6

2 To get an approximation of log(0.6) we need 1 − x = 0.6, that is x = 0.4 . With 6 decimal places:

0.42 0.43 0.44 0.45 0.46


approx = −0.4 − − − − − = −0.510464
2 3 4 5 6
f (7) (c) 7 6!
3 The error is given by x with 0 < c < 0.4 and f (7) (x) = − . Thus, an upper bound
7! (1 − x)7
is
−6! 0.47 0.47
error = · 0.47
= < ≈ 8.36 · 10−3
7!(1 − c)7 7(1 − c)7 7 · 0.67
because a lower bound of (1 − c)7 when 0 < c < 0.4 is (1 − 0.4)7 . Another way to reach this lower
bound is: 0 < c < 0.4 ⇒ 0 > −c > −0.4 ⇒ 1 > 1 − c > 1 − 0.4 ⇒ 1 > (1 − c)7 > (1 − 0.4)7 = 0.67

Instructions to mark the exercise

ˆ If all the derivatives and their values at a = 0 as well as the Maclaurin polynomial are correct: 2
points

ˆ If the approximation is correct: 1 point. To get this mark, the choice of x must be clear.

ˆ For the error: 1.5 points. To get this mark an explanation for the choice of the bound is essential.
Without a correct explanation, the maximum mark is 0.5 p.

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