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Find the two numbers whose sum is 24 and whose product is as large as possible.

(Please show your work, No guess)!!!

1 Answer

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Let, the numbers are: x, (24-x)
Let, P(x) denote their products. Then, we have:
P(x) = x(24-x) = 24x - x²
P'(x) = 24-2x
P''(x) = -2

Now, P'(x) = 0 ⇒ x = 12
Also,
P''(12) = -2 < 0

So, By second derivative test, x = 12 is the point of local maxima of p. Hence the product of the numbers is the maximum when the numbers are 12 and (24-12) = 12

So, In short that numbers would be 12,12

Hope this helps!
User Viuser
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