Difference between revisions of "Optimization"

(Formula)
(Process)
Line 3: Line 3:
 
==Process==
 
==Process==
  
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 by the [[Trivial Inequality]]the maximum or minimum (it depends on which way the [[graph]] of the quadratic is facing) is <math>k</math>.
  
 
==="Formula"===
 
==="Formula"===

Revision as of 09:48, 20 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 by the Trivial Inequality, 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 $x=-\frac{b}{2a}$.