Question:medium

20 is divided into two parts so that the product of the cube of one part and the square of the other part is maximum, then these two parts are

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For $x+y=S$, $x^m y^n$ is max when the parts are in the ratio $m:n$. Here $3:2 \implies \frac{3}{5}(20)=12$ and $\frac{2}{5}(20)=8$.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • 15, 5
  • 16, 4
  • 12, 8
  • 14, 6
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This is an optimization problem using derivatives.
We need to define a function for the product described and find its maximum value over a valid domain.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Let the two parts be $x$ and $20-x$.
The function to maximize is $P(x) = x^3(20 - x)^2$.
Find the critical points by setting $P'(x) = 0$ and verify the maximum using the first or second derivative test.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let the two parts be $x$ and $y$, so $x + y = 20$, which gives $y = 20 - x$.
We want to maximize the product $P = x^3 y^2 = x^3 (20 - x)^2$.
Differentiating $P$ with respect to $x$:
\[ \frac{dP}{dx} = 3x^2(20 - x)^2 + x^3 \cdot 2(20 - x)(-1) \]
\[ \frac{dP}{dx} = x^2(20 - x) \left[ 3(20 - x) - 2x \right] \]
\[ \frac{dP}{dx} = x^2(20 - x) (60 - 3x - 2x) \]
\[ \frac{dP}{dx} = x^2(20 - x) (60 - 5x) \]
To find critical points, set $\frac{dP}{dx} = 0$:
\[ x^2(20 - x)(60 - 5x) = 0 \]
This gives $x = 0, x = 20, \text{ or } 60 - 5x = 0 \Rightarrow 5x = 60 \Rightarrow x = 12$.
Since the parts must be positive for a meaningful division of 20 in this context, $x = 0$ and $x = 20$ yield a product of 0, which is a minimum.
So, the maximum occurs at $x = 12$.
We can verify it's a maximum using the first derivative test. For $x$ slightly less than 12 (e.g., $x=11$), $\frac{dP}{dx}$ is positive. For $x$ slightly greater than 12 (e.g., $x=13$), $\frac{dP}{dx}$ is negative. Thus, $P(x)$ has a local maximum at $x=12$.
When $x = 12$, the other part is $y = 20 - 12 = 8$.
The two parts are 12 and 8.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The two parts are 12 and 8.
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