5 values for x

[robert.miller]

Annual profit in thousands of dollars is given by the function, P(x) = -.1x2 + 50x - 300, where x is the number of items sold, x ≥ 0.


find the profit for 5 different values of x

To find the five different profit values for x with the +50x
determining the variable expense and the -300 representing the fixed
cost. Would I change the variable cost to another number in order to
find five different values of x?

I have been substituting for x and I continue to come up with a negative value for x.

I do not understand what I am doing wrong.

What I have done:

Note: ^2 is the best I can do for squared.

P(x) = R(x) - c(x)
= -.1x^2 + 52 (4x) - (300,000.00 + 50,000x)
= -.1x^2 + 208x - 300,000.00
= -299,844.50 when 5 products are sold annually

 

[mmm4444bot]

profit (in thousands of dollars) is given by P(x) = -.1x^2 + 50x - 300, where x is the number of items sold, x ≥ 0.

find the profit for 5 different values of x You are free to pick any five Real numbers that are non-negative.



To find the five different profit values for x with the +50x determining the variable expense and the -300 representing the fixed cost.

Yikes. I think that you need to rephrase this non-grammatical sentence; it makes no sense, to me.



Would I change the variable cost to another number No!

The function definition given for P(x) cannot be changed in any way.



I have been substituting for x and I continue to come up with a negative value for x.

Negative outputs are okay; they simply represent a loss instead of a gain.



P(x) = R(x) - c(x) The given function is not in this form; do not use this form. Use the function as it is given.

Jeff picked 80 for x, as an example. I'll pick a couple more "numbers of items sold", for examples. Then, you pick five others to use.

Let's say that 16 items are sold. Find P(16).

P(16) = -0.1(16)^2 + 50(16) - 300

P(16) = 474.4

This shows that the annual profit is $474,400 when the number of items sold is 16.

Let's say that 4 items are sold. Find P(4).

P(4) = -0.1(4)^2 + 50(4) - 300

P(4) = -101.6

This shows that the annual profit is a $101,600 loss when the number of items sold is 4.

That's all there is to it (so far).

By the way, did you ever consider the shape of the graph? The graph is a "picture" of how the profit changes, as x increases from zero.

 

[robert.miller]

Thank you very much. You are most helpful