Difference between revisions of "Optimization"

(Created page with "The '''optimization''' of a quadratic equation is the process to find the maximum or minimum of said quadratic. ==Process== It involves converting a...")
 
(Formula)
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It involves [[conversion|converting]] a quadratic to the [[standard form]] <math>a(x-h)^2+k</math> by [[completing the square]], then applying the [[Trivial Inequality]]. Then the maximum or minimum (it depends on which way the [[graph]] of the quadratic is facing) is <math>k</math>.
 
It involves [[conversion|converting]] a quadratic to the [[standard form]] <math>a(x-h)^2+k</math> by [[completing the square]], then applying the [[Trivial Inequality]]. Then the maximum or minimum (it depends on which way the [[graph]] of the quadratic is facing) is <math>k</math>.
  
===Formula===
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==="Formula"===
  
 
To optimize a quadratic, one might use the method described above, or one could use this other, smoother, method:
 
To optimize a quadratic, one might use the method described above, or one could use this other, smoother, method:
  
If <math>a>0</math>, then the quadratic <math>ax^2+bx+c=0</math>reaches its minimum when <math>x=-\frac{b}{2a}</math>, while when <math>a<0</math>, the quadratic reaches its ''maximum'' when <math>x=-\frac{b}{2a}</math>.
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If <math>a>0</math>, then the quadratic <math>ax^2+bx+c=0</math> reaches its minimum when <math>x=-\frac{b}{2a}</math>, while when <math>a<0</math>, the quadratic reaches its ''maximum'' when <math>x=-\frac{b}{2a}</math>.

Revision as of 10:14, 15 May 2014

The optimization of a quadratic equation is the process to find the maximum or minimum of said quadratic.

Process

It involves converting a quadratic to the standard form $a(x-h)^2+k$ by completing the square, then applying the Trivial Inequality. Then the maximum or minimum (it depends on which way the graph of the quadratic is facing) is $k$.

"Formula"

To optimize a quadratic, one might use the method described above, or one could use this other, smoother, method:

If $a>0$, then the quadratic $ax^2+bx+c=0$ reaches its minimum when $x=-\frac{b}{2a}$, while when $a<0$, the quadratic reaches its maximum when $x=-\frac{b}{2a}$.