Question

The quantity demanded x for a product is inversely proportional to the cube of the price p for p > 1. When the price is $10 per unit, the quantity demanded is 64 units. The initial cost is $150 and the cost per unit is $2. What price will yield a maximum profit?

Answer 1

q(p) = k/p^3 . . . . . . . . we want to find k
q(10) = k/10^3 = 64
k = 64,000

Revenue = q(p)*p = 64000/p^2
Cost = 150 +2q = 150 +2*64000/p^3

Profit = Revenue -Cost = 64000/p^2(1 -2/p) -150

Differentiating to find the maximum profit, we have
.. dProfit/dp = -2(64000/p^3) +6(64000/p^4) = 0
.. -1 +3/p = 0
.. p = 3

A price of $3 per unit will yield a maximum profit.