- #1
solomar
- 6
- 0
Homework Statement
Graph the curves y = (x+4)(x-5) and y = ax+2 for various values of a. For what value a is the area between the two curves a minimum?
Homework Equations
y = (x+4)(x-5)
y = ax+2
The Attempt at a Solution
For my attempt I attempted to find the primary equation to optimize. I used Area =
[tex]\int(ax+2-(x+4)(x-5))[/tex]
Since when you graph the two ax+2 is the upper function.
I cannot find a secondary equation to bring it to one variable.
The answer itself is a = -1 (guess and check haha) I am just unsure of how to properly go about minimizing this...
a is what is changing in order for the area to be minimized I understand, and I've exhausted all experimentation with finding a secondary equation in my mind.
Any help or input would be greatly appreciated! This problem is already done on my homework (mymathlab so only the answer is needed), I just really would like to figure out how to properly do this!