MA 3972-MA-Book April 11, 2018 16:5
More Applications of Definite Integrals 323
TIP • If f′′(a)=0,f may or may not have a point of inflection atx=a, e.g., as in the
functionf(x)=x^4 ,f′′( 0 )= 0 butatx=0,fhas an absolute minimum.
Example 2
If the marginal cost of producingxunits of a commodity isC′(x)= 5 + 0. 4 x,
find (a) the marginal cost whenx=50;
(b) the cost of producing the first 100 units.
Solution:
(a) Marginal cost atx=50:
C′(50)= 5 + 0 .4(50)= 5 + 20 = 25.
(b) Cost of producing the first 100 units:
C(t)=
∫ 1
0
C′(x)dx
=
∫ 100
0
(5+ 0. 4 x)dx
= 5 x+ 0. 2 x^2
] 100
0
=
(
5(100)+ 0 .2(100)^2
)
− 0 = 2500.
Temperature Problem
Example
On a certain day, the changes in the temperature in a greenhouse beginning at 12 noon are
represented byf(t)=sin
(
t
2
)
degrees Fahrenheit, wheretis the number of hours elapsed
after 12 noon. If at 12 noon, the temperature is 95◦F, find the temperature in the greenhouse
at 5 p.m.
LetF(t) represent the temperature of the greenhouse.
F( 0 )= 95 ◦F
F(t)= 95 +
∫ 5
0
f(x)dx
F( 5 )= 95 +
∫ 5
0
sin
(
x
2
)
dx
= 95 +
[
−2 cos
(
x
2
)] 5
0
= 95 +
[
−2 cos
(
5
2
)
−(−2 cos( 0 ))
]
= 95 + 3. 602 = 98. 602
Thus, the temperature in the greenhouse at 5 p.m. is 98.602◦F.