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Through market research, a computer manufacturer found that \(x\) thousand units of its new laptop will sell at a price of \(2000-5 x\) dollars per unit. The cost, \(C\), in dollars to produce this many units is \(C(x)=15000000+1800000 x+75 x^{2}\) Determine the level of sales that will maximize profit.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The level of sales that maximizes profit is 1,250 units.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Profit Function

The profit is the difference between the revenue and the cost. Revenue is found by multiplying the price per unit by the number of units sold. If the price per unit is given by \( 2000 - 5x \) and the units sold are \( x \) (in thousands), the revenue function, \( R(x) \), is \( R(x) = x(2000 - 5x) = 2000x - 5x^2 \).
02

Define the Profit Equation

The profit function \( P(x) \) is calculated as \( P(x) = R(x) - C(x) \), which translates to \( P(x) = (2000x - 5x^2) - (15000000 + 1800000x + 75x^2) \). Simplifying this, we get \( P(x) = 2000x - 5x^2 - 15000000 - 1800000x - 75x^2 = -80x^2 + 200x - 15000000 \).
03

Find the Vertex of the Quadratic

Since the profit function \( P(x) = -80x^2 + 200x - 15000000 \) is a downward-opening parabola, the maximum profit occurs at the vertex of this parabola. The x-coordinate of the vertex \( x \) is given by \( x = \frac{-b}{2a} \), where \( a = -80 \) and \( b = 200 \).
04

Calculate x-coordinate of the Vertex

Plug in \( a = -80 \) and \( b = 200 \) into the formula: \[ x = \frac{-200}{2(-80)} = \frac{-200}{-160} = 1.25 \]. This means that the profit is maximized when \( x = 1.25 \) thousand units are sold.
05

Interpret Result

Since \( x \) represents thousands of units, selling 1.25 thousand units means selling 1,250 units maximizes profit.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Revenue Function
The revenue function is a fundamental concept in profit maximization. It helps us understand how much money is generated from selling a certain number of products. Revenue is calculated by multiplying the price per unit by the number of units sold.
For the exercise in question, the price per unit is determined by the equation \(2000 - 5x\), where \(x\) is the number of units (in thousands). Consequently, the revenue function \(R(x)\) can be expressed as \(R(x) = x(2000 - 5x) = 2000x - 5x^2\). This shows us that as more units are sold, the total revenue increases, but it is also affected by the price decrease per unit as \(x\) increases.
Understanding how revenue changes with the number of units sold is crucial in identifying the optimal sales level for maximum profit.
Cost Function
The cost function represents the total cost of producing a certain number of units. In business, understanding and calculating the cost function is vital for budgeting and pricing strategies.
In the given exercise, the cost function is represented by the expression \(C(x) = 15000000 + 1800000x + 75x^2\). This equation accounts for both fixed and variable costs:
  • The constant \(15000000\) reflects fixed costs that do not change with production volume.
  • The term \(1800000x\) represents variable costs that increase linearly with the number of units produced.
  • The quadratic term \(75x^2\) shows additional costs that rise as production scales up, possibly due to complexities or inefficiencies in the production process at higher volumes.
Accurately modeling and understanding these costs help manufacturers make informed decisions to ensure profitability.
Quadratic Vertex
The quadratic vertex is a key mathematical concept used to find the maximum or minimum point of a parabola, which is crucial for this problem since the profit function forms a downward-opening parabola.
The quadratic equation for profit in this exercise is \(-80x^2 + 200x - 15000000\). The maximum profit can be found at the vertex of this parabola, calculated using the vertex formula \(x = \frac{-b}{2a}\), where \(a = -80\) and \(b = 200\). Plugging these values into the formula provides \(x = \frac{-200}{2(-80)} = \frac{1}{.25}\).
This vertex calculation tells us that the profit is maximized when 1,250 units (or 1.25 thousand units) are sold. Understanding how to calculate the vertex of a quadratic expression is critical in determining the most advantageous level of production or sales.
Market Research
Market research plays a fundamental role in understanding consumer behavior and market conditions. Through thorough research, companies can gain insights into ideal pricing strategies and potential sales volumes. In this particular problem, market research reveals the price relationship as \(2000 - 5x\), which helps define the revenue function.
Market research is more than just gathering data; it's about interpreting information to anticipate consumer behavior. It helps determine not only the potential demand but also how this demand changes with pricing adjustments. Such insights allow businesses to set strategic objectives and identify key areas where profit can be maximized.
By leveraging market insights, companies can make data-driven decisions to optimize profitability while meeting customer needs effectively.

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