Oil Refinery: Optimization Problem

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SUMMARY

The optimization problem involves connecting a drilling rig located 12 miles offshore to a refinery 20 miles down the coast. The cost of underwater pipe is $40,000 per mile, while land-based pipe costs $30,000 per mile. To minimize costs, the relevant equation can be derived using the Pythagorean theorem, leading to a function of y that combines both underwater and land pipe costs. By differentiating this cost function and finding its critical points, the optimal values for x and y can be determined.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of optimization techniques in calculus
  • Familiarity with the Pythagorean theorem
  • Knowledge of cost functions and their derivation
  • Basic skills in differentiation and finding critical points
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  • Learn how to derive cost functions from geometric relationships
  • Practice differentiating functions to find minimum and maximum values
  • Explore the use of the Pythagorean theorem in various engineering problems
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Students in engineering or mathematics, particularly those focusing on optimization problems, as well as professionals in fields related to project management and cost analysis in construction and engineering projects.

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Homework Statement



A drilling rig 12 miles off shore is to be connected by a pipe to a refinery onshore, 20 miles down the coast from the rig. If underwater pipe costs $40,000 per mile and land based pipe costs $30,000 per mile what value of x and y would give the least expensive connection?




The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea on where to start. I know I need to find a relevant equation, differentiate it, then set it to 0, and finally show that it is a relative minimum, but I'm having trouble finding the relevant equation. I recreated the image that was in my textbook, and attached it to this post.
Thanks for your time.
 

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First replace x with an expression that has y, using the Pythagorean theorem, so you have to work with just one variable.

The land distance will be 20-y miles and the land pipe costs $30,000 per mile, so the cost for land pipe will be $30,000(20-y). Find another expression like that for the underwater pipe cost, then add the two to get a function of y for the cost.
 

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