document.write( "Question 123462: The profit function for a business is given by the equation P(x)=-4x^2+16x-7, where x is the number sold, in thousands, and P(x) is dollars in thousands. Find the maximum profit and how many items must be sold to achieve it. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #90976 by solver91311(24713)\"\" \"About 
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Maximize \"P%28x%29=-4x%5E2%2B16x-7\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Two ways to solve this.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Without calculus:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "This function describes a convex down parabola, so the maximum point is at the vertex. The x-coordinate of the vertex of parabola \"f%28x%29=ax%5E2%2Bbx%2Bc\" is at \"x=-b%2F2a\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"x%5Bmax%5D=-16%2F2%28-4%29=2\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The value of the function at \"x=2\" is the maximum profit.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"f%282%29=-4%282%29%5E2%2B16%282%29-7=-16%2B32-y=9\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So the profit is a maximum $9,000 when 2 units are sold.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Calculus:
\n" ); document.write( "A local minimum or maximum of a function is at the point where the first derivitive is equal to zero\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"dy%2Fdx=-8x%2B16\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"-8x%2B16=0\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"-8x=-16\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"x=2\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If the second derivitive evaluated at this value is < 0, the point is a maximum.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"d%5E2%28y%29%2Fdx%5E2=-8\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Therefore the point is a maximum.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Find the function value at the maximum point just like before.\r
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