BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Minimum

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 406
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:36 am
Location: Syracuse, NY
Thanked: 23 times
Followed by:4 members
GMAT Score:740

by tomada » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:38 pm
What's the OA?

oldheaven wrote:x,y>0 .If xy=6 then what is the minimum of 3x+5y ?

1)6sqrt(10)
2)sqrt(30)
3)2sqrt(10)
4)3aqrt(6)
I'm really old, but I'll never be too old to become more educated.
Top
User avatar
Community Manager
Posts: 1060
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 6:46 am
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Thanked: 318 times
Followed by:52 members

by neelgandham » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:39 pm
Please don't shower bats at me for solving this question, this way !

If x,y>0, xy=6 then what is the minimum of 3x+5y ?

1)6sqrt(10)
2)sqrt(30)
3)2sqrt(10)
4)3aqrt(6)

xy = 6, Implies y =6/x
The expression 3x + 5y = 3x + (30/x) = (3x^2 + 30)/x
Maximum/Minimum value of a function f(x) can be found by initially finding the value of x that satisfies the equation f '(x) = 0 (where f '(x) is the derivative of f(x)) and then substitution the value of x in the function f(x).

f(x) = (3x^2 + 30)/x
f'(x) = (3x^2 - 30)/x^2 = 0 ; x =√10 and the derivative of f'(x)>0(which tells us that f(x) at x =√10 is minimum)
The expression 3x + 5y = 3x + (30/x) = 3√10 +(30/√10) = 6√10 A

Derivative formulae -> https://math.about.com/library/weekly/aa021003a.htm- I used rule #9
Anil Gandham
Welcome to BEATtheGMAT | Photography | Getting Started | BTG Community rules | MBA Watch
Check out GMAT Prep Now's online course at https://www.gmatprepnow.com/
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 406
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:36 am
Location: Syracuse, NY
Thanked: 23 times
Followed by:4 members
GMAT Score:740

by tomada » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:55 pm
I love it! Well done! Do we need to know calculus for the GMAT?

neelgandham wrote:Please don't shower bats at me for solving this question, this way !

If x,y>0, xy=6 then what is the minimum of 3x+5y ?

1)6sqrt(10)
2)sqrt(30)
3)2sqrt(10)
4)3aqrt(6)

xy = 6, Implies y =6/x
The expression 3x + 5y = 3x + (30/x) = (3x^2 + 30)/x
Maximum/Minimum value of a function f(x) can be found by initially finding the value of x that satisfies the equation f '(x) = 0 (where f '(x) is the derivative of f(x)) and then substitution the value of x in the function f(x).

f(x) = (3x^2 + 30)/x
f'(x) = (3x^2 - 30)/x^2 = 0 ; x =√10 and the derivative of f'(x)>0(which tells us that f(x) at x =√10 is minimum)
The expression 3x + 5y = 3x + (30/x) = 3√10 +(30/√10) = 6√10 A

Derivative formulae -> https://math.about.com/library/weekly/aa021003a.htm- I used rule #9
I'm really old, but I'll never be too old to become more educated.
Top
User avatar
Community Manager
Posts: 1060
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 6:46 am
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Thanked: 318 times
Followed by:52 members

by neelgandham » Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:04 pm
Thanks Tomada ! and I am sure that you need not have knowledge of calculus for the GMAT(Knowing some formulae doesn't hurt, and sometimes helps as in this case). I am sure we can solve this in a better(read using algebra) way.So, let us wait for the experts to reply!
Anil Gandham
Welcome to BEATtheGMAT | Photography | Getting Started | BTG Community rules | MBA Watch
Check out GMAT Prep Now's online course at https://www.gmatprepnow.com/
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 349
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:38 pm
Location: Austin, TX
Thanked: 236 times
Followed by:54 members
GMAT Score:770

by GmatMathPro » Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:48 pm
neelgandham wrote:Thanks Tomada ! and I am sure that you need not have knowledge of calculus for the GMAT(Knowing some formulae doesn't hurt, and sometimes helps as in this case). I am sure we can solve this in a better(read using algebra) way.So, let us wait for the experts to reply!
There is an algebraic solution, but this still seems to be a very unGMATlike question in that it only has four answer choices and is extremely difficult. I think that people who are only interested in the GMAT would be wise to skip this question.

I think the more important matter, though, is the origin and meaning of the phrase "please don't shower bats at me"
Pete Ackley
GMAT Math Pro
Free Online Tutoring Trial
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 349
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:38 pm
Location: Austin, TX
Thanked: 236 times
Followed by:54 members
GMAT Score:770

by GmatMathPro » Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:40 am
oldheaven wrote:x,y>0 .If xy=6 then what is the minimum of 3x+5y ?

1)6sqrt(10)
2)sqrt(30)
3)2sqrt(10)
4)3aqrt(6)
Okay I just read some of your other posts explaining the source of these questions. You say it's some kind of GMAT-like test in Iran? If you post a non-standard GMAT question, I think it's important to note the source so that other people don't get worried if it seems way too hard for them.

That said, one way to solve this algebraically is as follows:

xy=6 and we're trying to minimize the value of 3x+5y. Let 3x+5y=b. So if we consider all the possible values of x and y that satisfy xy=6, we can plug these into 3x+5y=b, which would give us a value b. Our job is to find the lowest possible value of b. xy=6---->y=6/x. Plug this in to 3x+5y=b to get 3x+5(6/x)=b:

3x+30/x=b

Multiply both sides by x:

3x^2+30=bx

3x^2-bx+30=0

For this to have a solution, the discriminant must be non-negative, so

b^2-4ac>=0

b^2-4(3)(30)>=0

b^2-360>=0

b^2>=360

We're only considering x,y>0, so

b>=√360

b>=6√10
Pete Ackley
GMAT Math Pro
Free Online Tutoring Trial
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 24
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2011 2:24 pm

by oldheaven » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:16 am
yes, you are right and I should have mentioned the source.your approach to solve the question is fantastic.I really really enjoyed it and I appreciate you.
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 1084
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:33 pm
Thanked: 158 times
Followed by:21 members

by pemdas » Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:08 pm
neelgandham wrote:Please don't shower bats at me for solving this question, this way !

If x,y>0, xy=6 then what is the minimum of 3x+5y ?

1)6sqrt(10)
2)sqrt(30)
3)2sqrt(10)
4)3aqrt(6)

xy = 6, Implies y =6/x
The expression 3x + 5y = 3x + (30/x) = (3x^2 + 30)/x
Maximum/Minimum value of a function f(x) can be found by initially finding the value of x that satisfies the equation f '(x) = 0 (where f '(x) is the derivative of f(x)) and then substitution the value of x in the function f(x).

f(x) = (3x^2 + 30)/x
f'(x) = (3x^2 - 30)/x^2 = 0 ; x =√10 and the derivative of f'(x)>0(which tells us that f(x) at x =√10 is minimum)
The expression 3x + 5y = 3x + (30/x) = 3√10 +(30/√10) = 6√10 A

Derivative formulae -> https://math.about.com/library/weekly/aa021003a.htm- I used rule #9
and to be more precise with calculus ...
f(x) = (3x^2 + 30)/x = 3x + 30*x^-1 and df/dx = f`(x) = 3 - 30/x^2
Equating this to 0 (zero) implies either maximum or minimum => 3 - 30/x^2 = 0; 3 = 30/x^2, x^2= 10 and x=sqrt(10). To understand this is minimum of f(x) we take the second derivative, d^2f/dx^2=f``(x)=(3-30/x^2)'=(-30*x^-2)'=60/x^3. Since x>0 60/x^3>0 and we have minimum of f(x) in the point x=sqrt(10). No we supply this into original function f(x) = (3x^2 + 30)/x and find f(x) = (30+30)/sqrt(10)=60/sqrt(10)=6sqrt(10)
Success doesn't come overnight!
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:28 pm
Since this thread is still alive and kicking, I want to make it clear that the question is out of scope.

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 1084
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:33 pm
Thanked: 158 times
Followed by:21 members

by pemdas » Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:36 pm
Hi Brent, guess Anil and I are out of GMATing too :)
Success doesn't come overnight!
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:15 am
Thanked: 1 times

by viveksingh222 » Mon Feb 04, 2013 6:23 am
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Since this thread is still alive and kicking, I want to make it clear that the question is out of scope.

Cheers,
Brent
Thanks Brent your post gave some relief to me.

Vivek.
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2095
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:22 pm
Thanked: 1443 times
Followed by:247 members

by ceilidh.erickson » Mon Feb 04, 2013 4:15 pm
To chime in as well...

- you definitely never need calculus on the GMAT. I doubt there are many places where it would even be helpful.

- this question is out of scope not only because it is so difficult, but because of the wording. "What is the minimum [of some expression]" is a bit vague. The GMAT would instead ask for a minimum value. Also, x,y>0 is not a standard formulation - you won't find commas within an equation/inequality.

- did we ever get an answer on what "don't shower me with bats" means??
Ceilidh Erickson
EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1